Biochemists and Biophysicists

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.

Most important skills

Science
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning
Complex Problem Solving

Key knowledge

Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
English Language
Physics
Education and Training
Computers and Electronics
Engineering and Technology

What the work involves

Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.
Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.
Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Post-Doctoral Training (40% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years (40%)
On-the-job training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months (45%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 5: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Biochemists and Biophysicists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 87% of occupations compared	45% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Very low	Lower on dealing with the public than 96% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Not important at all”
Teamwork	Moderate	Lower on teamwork than 55% of occupations compared	53% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Freedom to make decisions	High	Higher on freedom to make decisions than 66% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Very low	Lower on time pressure than 86% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Conflict situations	Low	Lower on conflict situations than 68% of occupations compared	70% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 87% of occupations compared	47% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	High	Higher on consequence of error than 66% of occupations compared	26% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very low
Conflict situations: low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: high

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions