Careers in Biochemistry offer a wide range of opportunities, as biochemistry is a very wide area. In simple terms, it refers to the study of substances in living systems, their processes and their interrelationship with one another.
Biochemistry covers areas in the sciences such as chemistry and biology, and it has applications in various fields including medicine, pharmacology, food science, dentistry and toxicology.
People interested in pursuing careers in biochemistry must have the aptitude and interest for the sciences and mathematics, and preferably start as early as high school by taking advanced placement courses in subjects such as biology, chemistry and physics
In college, pursue an undergraduate degree in biochemistry or any other related course, as well as further studies that focus on the particular field in which you want to specialize. Undergraduate degree holders are typically hired as research assistants or technicians, while those with a master’s or a doctorate degree may pursue higher positions in the field.
Some of the fields in which a biochemistry can profess include health and medicine, particularly for the study of diseases and the research for their cure, as well as researching new developments in medicine, such as drug development, stem cell research, or gene therapy. Biochemists who work in the field of health and medicine can pursue careers as molecular biologists, clinical biochemists, biomedical scientists and clinical research associates.
Biochemistry professionals can also work in the field of nutrition, studying the components of food products in order to determine their effect on one’s health, as well as in forensic science, bioinformatics, toxicology and environment preservation.
Careers in Biochemistry – Work Environment
Most biochemists work in colleges or universities, in positions such as instructors and researchers. Other workplace settings may include private companies dealing with health and beauty care food and drink production, chemical manufacturing, and medical instrument and medicine development.
Biochemists may also find employment in the public sector in hospitals, public health laboratories, cancer research institutions, environmental pollution control and public health offices.
In addition, many biochemists work for the government, including for government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture and the Armed Services.
A biochemist spends most of the day in a laboratory doing research, using a wide range of tools, instruments and computer programs in order to carry out their tasks. In addition, they can also work with a team of other specialists.
Biochemistry is one of the “hard-core” sciences, and it combines chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics. Careers in biochemistry are generally related to science or agriculture, in medical, research or crime laboratories, or industrial jobs.
- Molecular Biology
A biochemist must explore, question and seek answers about things at the molecular level. Using molecular tools and techniques, a biochemist can work in DNA technology, stem cell therapies, genetic, cell or protein engineering, or cloning.
Molecular biochemists typically work in medical research, and find employment with public health services, pharmaceutical companies, research universities or laboratories, addressing the molecular-level effects of chemical interactions with respect to diseases or other biological processes, or developing antibiotics.
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Nutritional biochemists analyze food and food products for enzymes, hormones, allergens, minerals, vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates, or to determine caloric or environmental effects on food products. Food regulation and safety agencies, as well as food and drink companies employ nutritional biochemists.
- Physical Biochemistry
Physical biochemists work in jobs related to agriculture or the environment. Their responsibilities include developing pest resistance in crops, new seed products, or trying to improve yields.
Typical jobs in physical biochemistry are with research facilities, government environmental agencies, seed companies, and fisheries. Other employment opportunities include areas related to understanding and controlling environmental pollutants or in forensic laboratories.
- Biotechnology
The field of biotechnology incorporates technological advances with research in order to create and market products to cure, diagnose and test for diseases. Biochemists working in this field deal with altering genetic information to improve the usefulness of plants and animals. Research facilities and health laboratories offer great job opportunities in this field of biochemistry.
- Research & Education
Biochemists have strong educational backgrounds in research-based biology and chemistry, and are specifically trained to develop or utilize their analytical, creative and mathematical skills. This allows professionals to pursue a range of careers in biochemistry, including teaching at all levels, and research.