Occupation profile

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.

Bright Outlook

Median Wage

$103,650/yr • $49.83/hr

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Full Occupation Profile
Job Zone

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.

Education
Post-doctoral training: 40%
Bachelor's degree: 25%
Doctoral degree: 25%
Skills

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Teaching others how to do something.

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Knowledge Areas

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Abilities

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.

The ability to see details at a distance.

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.

The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.

The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

The ability to see under low-light conditions.

The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.

The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

Work Context

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Duration of Typical Work Week
93

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

How much does this job require sitting?

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

How much does this job require standing?

How automated is the job?

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

How much does this job require walking or running?

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

Work Schedules
10

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

Technology Skills

Presentation software

Object or component oriented development software

Electronic mail software

Computer aided design CAD software

Spreadsheet software

Geographic information system

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Enterprise application integration software

Office suite software

Operating system software

Word processing software

Data base user interface and query software

Inventory management software

Process mapping and design software

Information retrieval or search software

Internet browser software

    Tools and Equipment

    Scanning light or spinning disk or laser scanning microscopes

    Robotic or automated liquid handling systems

    Forced air or mechanical convection general purpose incubators

    Scanning probe microscopes

    Cryogenic or liquid nitrogen freezers

    Laboratory funnels

    Refrigerated and heated reach in environmental or growth chambers

    Orbital shaking water baths

    Signal conditioners

    Scanning electron microscopes

    Irradiation gamma sources

    Mobile or transportable medical linear accelerators

    Optical beamsplitters

    Liquid scintillation counters

    Standard fermentation units

    Medical positron emission tomography PET units

    Laboratory mechanical convection ovens

    Multipurpose or general test tubes

    Electron guns

    Medical radiation dosimeters

    Dry wall single chamber carbon dioxide incubators

    Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes

    Deoxyribonucleic sequence analyzers

    Microbiology analyzers

    Heat tracing equipment

    Fume hoods or cupboards

    Medical imaging wet darkroom or daylight processors

    Paramagnetic susceptibility analyzers

    Viscosimeters

    Mainframe computer

    Dry baths or heating blocks

    Electrophoresis system power supplies

    Pressure indicators

    Notebook computer

    Gas chromatographs

    Laboratory beakers

    Dropping pipettes

    Camera controllers

    Protein analyzers

    Flame ionization analyzers

    Mass spectrometers

    Laminar flow cabinets or stations

    X ray diffraction equipment

    Laboratory flasks

    Reactors or fermenters or digesters

    Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges

    Gel documentation systems

    Laboratory heat exchange condensers

    Ultrasonic disintegrators

    Ion analyzers

    Ultra violet water purification units

    Heating mantles or tapes

    Gamma counters

    Laboratory graduated cylinders

    Laboratory adapters or connectors or fittings

    Polarizing microscopes

    Laboratory hotplates

    Photo attachments for microscopes

    Digital camcorders or video cameras

    Vacuum or centrifugal concentrators

    Chilling units or cold water circulators

    Plotter printers

    Instrumentation for capillary electrophoresis

    Desktop computer

    Medical x ray darkroom accessories

    High pressure liquid chromatograph chromatography

    Chemistry analyzers

    Ultrasonic cleaning equipment

    Analytical balances

    Electroencephalograph EEGs

    Personal computer

    Steam autoclaves or sterilizers

    Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters

    Pasteur or transfer pipettes

    Hematology or chemistry mixers

    Signal generators

      Laboratory vacuum pumps

        Gel boxes

          Microscope slides

            Amino acid analyzers

              Microcentrifuges

                Scanners

                  Orbital shakers

                    Rheometers

                      Inverted microscopes

                        Homogenizers

                          Laser printers

                            Shaking incubators

                              Water baths

                                Microplate readers

                                  Detailed Work Activities
                                  Work Styles
                                  Attention to Detail
                                  100

                                  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

                                  Intellectual Curiosity
                                  100

                                  A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

                                  Innovation
                                  87

                                  A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

                                  Dependability
                                  79

                                  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

                                  Integrity
                                  74

                                  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

                                  Achievement Orientation
                                  71

                                  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

                                  Cautiousness
                                  61

                                  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

                                  Initiative
                                  61

                                  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

                                  Adaptability
                                  60

                                  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

                                  Perseverance
                                  53

                                  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

                                  Stress Tolerance
                                  44

                                  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

                                  Tolerance for Ambiguity
                                  42

                                  A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.

                                  Leadership Orientation
                                  41

                                  A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

                                  Self-Confidence
                                  41

                                  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

                                  Cooperation
                                  40

                                  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

                                  Sincerity
                                  28

                                  A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

                                  Humility
                                  24

                                  A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

                                  Social Orientation
                                  23

                                  A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

                                  Self-Control
                                  20

                                  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

                                  Optimism
                                  19

                                  A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.

                                  Empathy
                                  9

                                  A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.

                                  Work Values

                                  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

                                  Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

                                  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

                                  Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

                                  Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

                                  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

                                  Reference

                                  O*NET in-it

                                  This page includes information from the O*NET Career Exploration Tools by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the O*NET Tools Developer License. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Beesla has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.