Life, Physical & Social Science
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Also called: Analytical Research Chemist, Biochemist, Biophysics Researcher, Scientist
US median pay
$127,410
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+12.3%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
2,900
35,200 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
- Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
- Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
- Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
- Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving4.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Instructing3.6/5
- Systems Analysis3.4/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Operations Analysis3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Biology4.7/5
- Chemistry4.3/5
- Mathematics4.3/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Education and Training3.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Post-doctoral training40%
- Doctoral degree25%
- Bachelor's degree25%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.