Careers in Biochemistry
Biochemists study the chemistry of living organisms. They analyze biological processes and reactions withing organisms. Biochemists work in agriculture, pharmaceutical industry, law enforcement agencies and medicine. With their fundamental understanding of how organisms work, they also are involved in how to create agents and medications to fight disease and ward off cancers in humans.
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Education
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Biochemists must have a well-rounded academic background that includes math, chemistry, biology, human sciences and medicine. Biochemists must obtain a bachelors degree in biochemistry at the very least to go into the field. Many biochemists have advanced degrees in chemistry with some having doctorate degrees. While in school those who aspire to be biochemists develop knowledge in laboratory processes and procedures as well as analyzing data and results. In addition to the sciences, biochemists learn about such topics as genomics, stem cell therapies, the development of drugs and patent law.
Private sector
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Biochemists work in many capacities in private and public sectors. Within the private sector, biochemists work for the health care, chemical, health and beauty and food industries. These jobs typically involve the research and development of products. For example, a biochemist in the private sector may work on creating a new soft drink, hair spray, medical device or cleaning chemical.
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Public sector
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Within the public sector, biochemists are employed in laboratories, hospitals, criminal investigation units, research institutes and departments of agriculture and infrastructure. The work of these biochemists is more likely to involve analyzing and deciphering information, studies, tests and evidence. For example, a biochemist in the public sector may be involved in a criminal investigation, how to halt the spread of a pandemic or with deciding whether a new cancer drug is effective.
Non-scientific roles
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Biochemists may fill positions that are not based on science but are administrative or managerial roles. These include overseeing a department, marketing, human resources or business development for a firm or public entity. Although these positions are not necessary science-based, they are lucrative since they do carry more responsibility and call for more expertise.
Job outlook and salaries
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In 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, biochemists made an average of $88,450 a year with the top 10 percent making $139,440. According to the bureau, jobs in the biological sciences field will grow nine percent from 2006 to 2016. This is about the same pace as all other occupations. Research and development are the two areas that are driving the demand for biochemists and those working in biological sciences. The sector depends on funding from state and federal governments and agencies especially when it comes to granting research dollars, according to the bureau.
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