Are you too a biochemistry degree holder, or are you planning to continue your studies in this field? Are you too amongst the ones juggling with the question – “Is Biochemistry A Good Career?” Here is all you need to know and then decide the answer to the question boggling your mind related to Biochemistry Career Options.
Biochemistry is a field that opens an unlimited range of options in the industry and research in disciplines such as environment, health, and agriculture. Yes, you read that right. In technical terms, “Biochemistry is the science of life. All the processes necessary for life like walking, talking, moving, feeding – are essentially chemical reactions. So biochemistry is the chemistry of life, and it’s exciting,”– Aaron Ciechanover.
Educational Requirement To Be Biochemist
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- If you desire to make your career in the concerned field, the M.Sc Biochemistry must do a course after B.Sc Biochemistry.
- Institutes offering integrated biochemistry courses are nevertheless the best option to go for.
- Holding a Ph.D. Degree course in the concerned discipline is just like the icing on the cake.
Job Opportunities for a Budding Biochemist
If you are amongst the beginners in the field and worry about your career, here is a satisfying end. So check out to know “how.”
The discipline of Biochemistry awards the beginners of the field to choose from any of the below-listed career options and then go unstoppable.
- Nutrition – In this world of hue and cry, the deteriorating health of humans has been a significant concern. The biochemist’s job is to investigate all the nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and proteins over the humans in the situation of scarcity and excess inside the body.
- Agriculture- The majority of the world is suffering from the scarcity of food. To overcome this problem, the Biochemists are working hard to create the best cultivation technique, pest control methods and optimizing the crops’ storage to use them whenever necessary.
- Medicine – This field calls for the work to investigate the cause, spread, and identification of diseases. A biochemist holds the efficiency of carrying out the research and spreading awareness to the entire world.
Jobs Directly Fitting the Shoes Of a Biochemist
Biochemistry is undoubtedly amongst the valuable commercial degree. The career field here is quite vast and almost boundless. Following is the list of jobs that directly relates to the degree of biochemistry:
- Toxicologist
- Forensic Scientist
- Lecturer/Professor
- Research Scientist (Life Science)
- Food Safety Analyst
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Clinical Research Associate
- QA /AC Associate
- Research Fellow
- Healthcare and Biomedical Scientist
- Analytical Chemist
- Pharma Associate
But what if someone has the zeal to work in the public sector? Are there any options for a biochemist to work in the public sector with this discipline? Again, things are not at all to get tensed about. Biochemistry is one such discipline that opens up the door for both the people interested in working in the public sector and the private sector. Their work generally involves research and working with policymakers, engineers, physicists, chemists, health care professionals, and many more.
Some of the arenas in the public sector where you can work as a biochemist are:
- Cosmetic Industries
- Public Health Entities
- Laboratories Concerned About Public Health
- Companies Manufacturing Drug
- Hospitals
- Blood Bank & Services
- Forensic Science
- Cancer Research Institutes
- Environmental Pollution Control
- Educational Organisations
- Agriculture and Fisheries
- Industrial Laboratories
- Research Departments
- Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Aren’t the options too many? Yes! Of course. You can choose any amongst them and continue to work in.
Skills Required to be A Successful Biochemist
Degrees alone don’t go well in this field. You need to possess specifications, skills, and qualities as a Biochemist to excel and outshine. These skills and capabilities are:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving attitude.
- Deep knowledge of molecular biology techniques
- Awesome observation skills
- Ability to do research and data analysis
- Practical Performing laboratory skills
- Capability to assemble an argument and engage in debate effectively.
- Ability to understand complex biological processes
- Effective communication and presentation skills to put forth the idea.
- The capability to work to deadlines and generate desired results.
- Self-organizing skills and the ability to work independently.
- Presentable and practical report writing ability.
- Planning and executing things at the right time
- Time management Skill
Average Payoff Level For a Biochemist
The salary of a Biochemist, like many other professions, depends on many below listed factors:
- The circumspection of the employer
- The region you work in
- The size, type, and budget of the employer
- Your educational background
- Your Experience level
- Level of certification(if you hold one)
- Your skills and capabilities
- The overtime you put in for the company
Here is the list of a few related professions. So what generally have to pursue, along with their approximate salaries. Do check them out.
- Biologist
- Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
- Canada: $63,381 (indeed)
- United States: $69,960 (BLS)
- Biomedical Engineer
- Alberta: $98,254 (ALIS)
- Canada: $63,240 (indeed)
- United States: $88,040 (BLS)
- Biostatistician
- Alberta: N/A
- Canada: $69,308 (PayScale)
- United States: $89,472 (indeed)
- Pharmaceutical Chemist
- United States: $60,476 (Glassdoor)
- Pharmacist
- Alberta: $98,037 (ALIS)
- Canada: $103,926 (Glassdoor)
- United States: $124,170 (BLS)
- Epidemiologist
- Alberta: $84,988 (ALIS)
- Canada: N/A
- United States: $69,660 (BLS)
- Food and Drug Inspector
- Alberta: $80,949 (ALIS)
- Canada: $44,418 to $111,523 (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
- United States: $64,660 (BLS)
- Pharmacologist
- Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
- United States: $82,090 (BLS)
- Cell Biologist
- Alberta: $84,988 (ALIS)
- United States: $69,960 (BLS)
- Chemical Engineer
- Alberta: $107,372 (ALIS)
- Canada: $83,726 (indeed)
- United States: $102,160 (BLS)
- Forensic Lab Analyst
- Alberta: $62,913 (ALIS)
- United States: $57,850 (BLS)
- Hydrologist
- Alberta: $128,940 (ALIS)
- Canada: $57,391 (PayScale)
- United States: $79,990 (BLS)
- Chiropractor
- Canada: $69,700 (indeed)
- United States: $68,640 (BLS)
- Clinical Chemist
- Alberta: $79,450 (ALIS)
- Canada: $51,987 (indeed)
- United States: $74,740 (BLS)
- Clinical Technician
- Alberta: $77,398 (ALIS)
- United States: $51,770 (BLS)
- Crime Lab Assistant
- Alberta: $62,913 (ALIS)
- United States: $57,850 (BLS)
- Dentist
- Alberta: $154,564 (ALIS)
- United States: $158,120 (BLS)
- DNA Analyst
- Alberta: $62,913 (ALIS)
- United States: $57,850 (BLS)
- Science Advisor
- Canada: $102,798 (PayScale)
- United States: $121,768 (Glassdoor)
- Science Writer
- Alberta: $58,979 (ALIS)
- Canada: $56,634 (PayScale)
- United States: $57,549 (BLS)
- Toxicologist
- Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
- United States: $74,631
- Research Assistant
- Alberta: $41,027 (ALIS)
- Canada: $32,796 (Glassdoor)
- United States: $26,560 (BLS)
Conclusion
Now, after looking at each perspective of the career goals linked with Biochemistry, it is crystal clear that it is one of the most promising, financially satisfying, advancing fields one can choose to excel in. So if you are a beginner thinking of pursuing the discipline or are a pro at it, this field fits your shoe the best, and that too complementing the area of your specialization. So what is the wait for then?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do biochemists work?
Biochemists generally work in offices and laboratories. - How long does a biochemist work?
A biochemist has to work for 40 to 50 hours a week generally. - Can a biochemist choose to be Doctor?
Indeed, yes! Knowledge of biochemistry helps a lot in the career of being a doctor. - Do biochemists make money?
A biochemist has a median salary of around $94,490, according to research done in the year 2019. - Can a biochemist have an opportunity to work in hospitals?
Yes, both options and opportunities are numerous if you desire to have a hospital as your workplace. - Is the field of Biochemistry high in demand?
Yes, it is. The employment opportunities for biophysicists and biochemists are projected to increase 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. - What is the time for the course to earn a biochemist degree?
It typically takes four to six years to earn a Doctoral Degree in Biochemistry.
