Biochemists and Biophysicists
Biochemists and Biophysicists
19-1021.00
Median wages
$65,790
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.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.
- Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
- Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.
- Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.
- Investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes.
- Design or perform experiments with equipment such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
- Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.
- Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
- Produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology.
- Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.
- Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.
- Analytical or scientific software — Accelrys QAUNTA; Fujitsu BioMedCache; Wavefunction Titan; Yet another scientific artificial reality application YASARA software
- Computer aided design CAD software — Accelrys Insight II; ChemInnovation Software Chem 4-D
- Data base user interface and query software — Sequence database software
- Data mining software — Golden Helix ChemTree; Golden Helix HelixTree
- Electronic mail software — Email software
- Enterprise application integration software — Extensible markup language XML
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software — SAP
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop ; Microsoft Visio ; Molecular Devices Corporation MetaFluor; Molecular Simulations WebLab ViewerPro
- Information retrieval or search software — Molecular Networks GmbH Biochemical Pathways
- Internet browser software
- Inventory management software — ItemTracker
- Object or component oriented development software — Practical extraction and reporting language Perl ; Python
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Operating system software — Linux
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
- Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Active Listening — 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.
- Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
- Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
