SCOPE
OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Jobs directly
related to a Biochemistry degree include:
·
Analytical chemist.
·
Biomedical scientist.
·
Healthcare scientist, clinical biochemistry.
·
Clinical research associate.
·
Forensic scientist.
·
Research scientist (Life Science)
·
Scientific laboratory technician.
·
Toxicologist.
Biochemistry Jobs - What are the
opportunities after graduating?
Biochemistry is a collective noun and therefore we’d like to go
more in-depth on the sector itself and what the opportunities are. If you are
looking for a career at the crossroads between biology and medicine, then
biochemistry could be interesting for you.
Biochemistry Job options
The work field within the Biochemistry is broad. Jobs directly
related to a Biochemistry degree include:
- Analytical chemist
- Biomedical scientist
- Healthcare scientist,
clinical biochemistry
- Clinical research associate
- Forensic scientist
- Research scientist (Life
Science)
- Scientific laboratory
technician
- Toxicologist
Work experience with Biochemistry jobs
During your studies you’ve developed practical and technical
skills through laboratory-based work and the final year research project. This
all to prepare you for a research or a technical position. After graduating you
can improve your chances by obtaining some relevant work experience, for
example an internship, in a research laboratory or company.
Some universities provide a four-year undergraduate course that
already includes an industry/research placement year, usually undertaken in the
Pharmaceutical or Biotechnical industry or a research institute. Work
placements help to further develop the key skills and provide opportunities for
building contacts and networking.
Whatever your career plans are (or even if you don't have any
yet), it is important to enhance your degree with extra skills and experiences
which show that you are a proactive person engaging with the world around you.
Further study
One in every six graduates is working as a laboratory
technician, biochemists or medical scientist six months after
graduating. Almost 40% of graduates are undertaking further study or combining
further study and work.
It is common for Biochemists to continue their higher education
if they are intending to develop a career in the Biosciences. A PhD is
essential for academic research or to secure a career as an academic lecturer.
Even for those entering research in industry or associated careers such as
publishing, science communication or clinical careers, further qualifications
are an asset and increasingly essential.
If you are aiming for a career path away from science, for
example in teaching, law, finance or other non-scientific careers, consider
what kind of professional qualifications may stand you in good stead for
getting into your chosen career. With a Biochemistry degree you can also apply
for graduate entry to medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
What skills should be on your CV to qualify yourself for
Biochemistry jobs?
During your degree you develop specific skills associated with
Biochemistry. The most important skills that should be at least mentioned on
your CV are:
- The ability to understand
complex biological processes;
- Having a full and critical
understanding of relevant texts;
- Assembling arguments and
engaging in debate;
- Critical and analytical
skills;
- Independent thinking and
problem-solving.
Other general skills include:
- practical skills;
- numeracy;
- communication, presentation
and IT skills;
- teamwork;
- self-management and
professional development.
You can demonstrate your experience in these areas by giving
examples from the practical work and group projects included in your degree
course.
Typical employers
The distinction can be made between employers that are working
in the public sector or within the industry itself.
The main employers of biochemistry graduates in the public sector are:
- research institutes;
- universities;
- government departments;
- the National Health Service;
- forensic science services;
and the
- Environment Agency.
Biochemistry graduates are also employed in industry itself.
Typical employers include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, water and
agricultural companies. Small companies employ biochemists to provide
specialist services, such as toxicological studies.
Other employers include scientific and medical publishers and
the Intellectual Property Office (as patent examiners).
Make yourself known
Biochemists are wide spread within the Life Sciences industry.
Their opportunities can be divers and since it relates to more industries, a
larger amount of professionals are in the market for these jobs. At least they
think they are. At the end it is the employer that seeks the right candidates.
A typical method to find suitable candidates is therefore CV database search.
This gives the employer the tools to search within a pool of CV’s to find
matching candidates.
This means that it is important that the employers within the
Biochemistry are able to find you. If you also like to be found by relevant
employers, we advise you to upload your CV for free. On top of that
you can also subscribe to a job alert for all Biochemistry jobs!
How much does a
biochemist make a year?
Biochemist salary. The average salary for
a biochemist in the United States is around$64,747 per year.
