Biochemists and Biophysicists

What Does a Biochemists and Biophysicists Do?

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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
• 2Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
• 3Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
• 4Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
• 5Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
• 6Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
• 7Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
• 8Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.

Required Skills

• Science
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Active Learning
• Speaking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• 3D graphics software
• Accelrys Cerius2
• Accelrys FELIX
• Accelrys Insight II
• Accelrys QAUNTA
• Adobe Photoshop
• Analysis and building software
• Assisted model building with energy refinement AMBER
• AutoQuant AutoDeblur
• Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST

Biochemists and Biophysicists Salary