National
| Median wages (2008) |
$39.83 hourly, $82,840 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
20,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
7,000 additional employees |
19-1021.00 - Biochemists and Biophysicists
Study the chemical composition and 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Scientist, Research Scientist, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Analytical Research Chemist, Laboratory Director, Process Engineer, Research Affiliate, Research Chemist
Tasks
- Prepare reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Manage laboratory teams, and monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles and by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Develop and execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
- Develop and test new drugs and medications intended for commercial distribution.
- Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer and other diseases.
- Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules such as proteins, using x-rays and electron microscopes.
- Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, and living energy changes such as growth, aging, and death.
- Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Benchtop centrifuges — Continuous flow centrifuges; Cytospin centrifuges; Megafuge centrifuges; Tabletop centrifuges |
| Binocular light compound microscopes — Large upright microscopes; Microscopes; Transillumination microscopes; Video enhanced differential interference contrast microscopes |
| Lasers — Argon lasers; Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Nd:YAG lasers; Sapphire lasers; Solid state diode lasers |
| Light scattering equipment — Laser Doppler zeta potential analyzers; Laser particle sizers; Light scattering devices; Multi-angle elastic-light scattering systems |
| Spectrometers — Circular dichroism spectroscopes; Laser induced temperature jump nanosecond relaxation spectrometer systems; Mossbauer spectroscopes; Raman difference spectrometers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Accelrys QAUNTA; SAS software; The Mathworks MATLAB; Wavefunction Titan |
| Computer aided design CAD software — 3D graphics software; Accelrys Insight II; ChemInnovation Software Chem 4-D |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; GE Healthcare ImageQuant TL; Intelligent Imaging Innovations SlideBook; Molecular Simulations WebLab ViewerPro |
| Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
