Biochemistry Jobs
This area provides information on biochemistry jobs including types of jobs available and other potential opportunities.
What is Biochemistry
The chemistry of living organisms and their vital processes
Biochemistry involves studying the chemistry of living things. This would include substances, compounds and processes. A Biochemist is the person that gets into the most, minute characteristics of organisms, and their biological processes. Although Biochemists have many different areas of specialization from which to choose, almost all of them are required to have good research techniques as well as the ability to synthesize and analyze information.
What does a biochemist do
Biochemists have many potential roles within the scientific community, including working with agriculture, pharmaceutical industry and crime labs. An example is that they find new ways to diagnose and treat disease in humans including potentially creating anti-cancer agents and other for possible treatments for disease.
Qualifications in Biochemistry
Students attaining a degree in biochemistry receive an excellent preparation for a scientific career. The knowledge gained studying biochemistry is applicable to many areas including agriculture, medicine and biotechnology. Biochemistry graduates also possess knowledge and expertise in laboratory techniques and analysis in areas such as:
Biotechnology
Antibiotics
Molecular genetics
DNA analysis
Toxicological and environmental testing
If you were interested in studying biochemistry, you would receive additional knowledge in the basic sciences of biology and chemistry, but particularly in biochemistry you would cover:
Molecular biology and Novel Molecular Diagnostics
Drug Development
Stem Cell Therapies
Genomics
Bioinformatics
Gene Therapy
Social and Ethical Issues Relating to Genomic Information
Patent Law Types of Biochemistry Jobs
With a degree in Biochemistry, an individual would find they have a vast list of careers available. The large industry is that of pharmaceuticals followed by work with the human genome project. Other industries where a Biochemist would work include:
Private SectorBiotechnology
Food and Drink (includes brewing)
Health and Beauty Care
Medical Instrument companies
Chemical manufacturing companies
Research Companies and Laboratories
Public Sector to includeScientific laboratories
Agriculture and fisheries
Hospitals
Universities
Public Health Entities
Blood Service
Forensic Science
Overseas Development
Public Health Laboratories
National Blood Services
Cancer research institutes
Environmental Pollution Control biochemists in other industries
While most biochemist graduates tend to work in a traditional laboratory and research environment. Some biochemists may be attracted to working within a scientific company, but in more non-traditional roles. Possible careers may include recruitment agencies, sales, management and computing.
Further Study Opportunities
Biochemists also find opportunities once they earn a higher qualification, either through attaining honors, masters or PHD level qualification. As in many other science related fields, higher education qualification such as a PHD is considered advantageous over students with a single degree as it is considered specialized practical experience. Particularly with research this is considered valuable as postgraduate students receive longer term promotion and career opportunities.
In attempting to undertake further study, basic opportunity cost analysis must be taken; they all require additional time to be taken with PHD sometimes taking 4-5 years as well as require high grades and very competitive to get scholarships. Students may also find they are over qualified for basic science positions to get experience. Nonetheless there are positives for students including working with the elite field of biochemistry, higher positions, higher wages and higher respect.
Some specializations for postgraduate biochemistry courses include:
Bioinformatics
forensic science
biotechnology
immunology
Toxicology
