Occupation · SOC 19-1021
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
Median wage
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
290 mapped
Core skills
ScienceReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
BiologyChemistryMathematicsEnglish LanguagePhysics
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information system
Representative tasks
Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific confTeach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, apAnalyze biochemical or biophysical data.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Experimental protocols and standard laboratory procedures — execute under direct supervision in an academic or industry research laboratory setting.Scientific literature and primary research articles — read and summarize to support ongoing biochemistry or biophysics investigations.Analytical instruments such as spectrophotometers and centrifuges — operate following established protocols under guidance from a senior researcher.Laboratory data sets from biological assays — organize and perform initial statistical analysis using scientific software under supervisor direction.Physical principles underlying living cells and organisms — identify and describe using foundational knowledge of mathematics, physics, and chemistry in coursework or entry-level research contexts.Draft sections of scientific manuscripts or conference abstracts — prepare under mentorship to communicate early-stage research findings.Grant proposal components such as specific aims and background sections — contribute to under the oversight of a principal investigator.Three-dimensional structural data from publicly available macromolecular databases — retrieve and interpret with guidance in a structural biology research environment.Laboratory safety standards and regulatory compliance requirements — follow consistently to maintain integrity of experiments in a supervised research facility.Undergraduate or graduate laboratory exercises — assist in facilitating under the direction of a faculty supervisor in a university research department.
developing
Experimental designs for studying biological macromolecule structure — develop and execute with limited oversight using equipment such as mass spectrometers or X-ray crystallography systems in a research laboratory.Physical and chemical mechanisms of biological processes — analyze and interpret independently, applying integrated knowledge of biology, chemistry, and mathematics to routine research questions.Scientific journal articles describing original biochemistry or biophysics research — draft and revise for peer-reviewed publication with minimal editorial guidance from senior colleagues.Analytical or scientific software platforms for data modeling and visualization — apply proficiently to process and present experimental results in an academic or pharmaceutical research setting.Research presentations at departmental seminars or regional scientific conferences — deliver clearly and respond to audience questions using established domain knowledge.Grant proposal narratives for federal or foundation funding mechanisms — write with growing independence, incorporating well-defined research objectives and preliminary data.New laboratory methods for investigating cellular electrical or mechanical energy — adapt from existing protocols and validate within a focused research scope.Graduate student laboratory activities and coursework projects — advise and provide technical feedback on in a university or research institute environment.Laboratory instrument performance and experimental data quality — monitor routinely and troubleshoot common issues to maintain research productivity.Computational or structural tools for determining protein or nucleic acid conformation — use competently to analyze three-dimensional biological macromolecule structures in a bioinformatics-supported lab.
proficient
Novel experimental methodologies for characterizing biological processes at the molecular level — design and validate autonomously across the full research lifecycle in an independent laboratory or research center.Complex, non-routine structural biology problems involving macromolecule conformation — resolve using advanced instrumentation including cryo-electron microscopy, NMR, or synchrotron X-ray diffraction.Comprehensive research manuscripts, review articles, and book chapters — author for high-impact peer-reviewed journals with full ownership of scientific content and argument.Competitive multi-aim grant proposals to NIH, NSF, or equivalent agencies — develop, write, and submit independently, incorporating rigorous experimental design and translational significance.Systems-level analysis of biological phenomena integrating biophysical, biochemical, and computational approaches — perform autonomously to address interdisciplinary research questions.Presentations of original research findings at major international scientific conferences — deliver authoritatively, representing the laboratory's contributions to the broader scientific community.Graduate and postdoctoral researchers — mentor and supervise on experimental strategy, critical interpretation of results, and professional development within a research university or institute.Cross-disciplinary laboratory teams working on complex biochemistry or biophysics projects — lead day-to-day operations, ensuring scientific rigor and efficient resource utilization.Emerging technologies such as single-molecule imaging, high-throughput screening platforms, or advanced mass spectrometry — evaluate and integrate into existing research programs to expand investigative capacity.Ethical and regulatory considerations in biochemical research including IRB, IBC, and data integrity standards — uphold and communicate as an independent expert across all aspects of the research enterprise.
advanced
Long-range scientific vision and research portfolio for a department, institute, or major laboratory — set and communicate to align investigative efforts with field-wide priorities and funding landscapes.National and international grant programs and consortium initiatives — lead the development and submission of large-scale, multi-investigator proposals to agencies such as NIH, NSF, DOE, or private foundations.Scientific workforce pipelines — develop by designing mentorship programs, training curricula, and career development frameworks for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty.High-stakes strategic decisions on research direction, resource allocation, and technology investment — render using deep expertise in biochemistry and biophysics to maximize organizational impact.Peer review processes for top-tier journals, funding agencies, and scientific societies — lead as an editor, study section chair, or advisory board member, shaping the standards and direction of the field.Organizational policies governing laboratory safety, research ethics, and scientific integrity — establish and steward across an institution or division to create a culture of accountability and excellence.Interdisciplinary collaborations bridging biochemistry, biophysics, engineering, medicine, and data science — orchestrate at an institutional or national level to address complex biomedical challenges.Public science communication and advocacy efforts including testimony, policy briefs, and media engagement — lead to translate biochemical and biophysical research into societal and regulatory impact.Breakthrough methodological innovations enabling new classes of biological inquiry — spearhead and disseminate through publications, patents, or technology transfer to the broader scientific and commercial community.Departmental or divisional academic programs in life and physical sciences — oversee as a director or department chair, aligning curriculum, faculty development, and research mission with institutional and national scientific goals.
Also known as
27 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Forensic ToxicologistPostdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc Research Associate)Analytical Research ChemistProtein BiochemistChemistStaff ToxicologistR&D Scientist (Research and Development Scientist)Postdoctoral Scholar (Postdoc Scholar)Chemistry ScientistScientistClinical Laboratory ScientistProtein Biochemistry ScientistMolecular BiologistFormulation ScientistBiophysicistBiological ChemistPostdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc Researcher)Research BiochemistClinical BiochemistBiochemistry ScientistToxicologistClinical ResearcherBiochemistPhysical BiochemistBiophysics ResearcherPostdoctoral Associate (Postdoc Associate)Pharmaceutical Scientist