Biochemists are scientists who study the chemical composition of living things at the molecular level, as well as the chemical reactions that regulate life. Their area of focus varies widely from biochemist to biochemist. For example, some concentrate on genetics and heredity, while others study chemical processes in the human brain. Individual biochemists may work in a variety of settings. Most work as researchers in laboratories. Their job is to gather data through observation, analysis, and experiments. The focus of their research will depend on their interests and their employer, but it can range from studying the chemical composition of fungi to monitoring the effects of pollution on sea urchins or testing the effects of a new shampoo on skin.
Research biochemists usually spend at least a part of each day in the laboratory. There they might prepare samples for testing, which can include purifying, weighing, or measuring them. As part of their experiment they may then expose the subject samples to other chemical compounds and record the results. For example, they may test the effects of cigarette smoke on cells taken from a human lung. Some biochemists work as professors at universities. In addition to pursuing their own research interests, these biochemists also teach students biochemistry and publish their research results in scholarly journals. Others, sometimes called clinical biochemists, work in hospitals, where they manage laboratories that provide biochemical analysis of tissues for the doctors working in the hospital. For example, a doctor will extract a sample from a patient’s tumour and give it to the lab, which will test it to see if it is a cancerous tumour.
Biochemists do most of their work indoors, in laboratories or offices. These are generally well-lit, well-ventilated, and comfortable spaces to work. Depending on their area of specialization, some may have to do field research for short periods of time each year, though this is rare for biochemists. There can be a good deal of stress in this career. Research biochemists are often under pressure to meet deadlines and provide the answers that their bosses need. Those who work in academic settings are under pressure to publish often in scholarly journals and to complete grant proposals for funding for their research. Clinical biochemists sometimes work under stress as well, as doctors may need answers right away so that they can treat their patients.
Some biochemists can be exposed to chemical or environmental hazards during the course of their research. However, following safety precautions minimizes the danger. For example, those working with diseased tissue samples may have to wear protective clothing and respirators. Most biochemists work a regular 5-day, 40-hour workweek. However, it is not uncommon for them to work some overtime in order to meet important deadlines. Biochemists who are instructors at universities may have to work longer hours at certain times of the year to get all of their marking done.
Many biochemists work in the research laboratories of large companies. Industries in which they are commonly employed include the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and beverage, environmental, petroleum, and agricultural industries. Other biochemists work for government agencies, usually at the provincial or federal levels. Some work in universities as professors. Clinical biochemists work for hospitals and other medical organizations. Most people in this field earn an annual salary. Earnings for biochemists are affected by their level of responsibility, the type of employer, and their location. Although precise figures for biochemists alone are not available, the earnings for all chemists and related scientists, including biochemists, range from about $35,000 to over $125,000 a year. The national average is likely somewhere between $50,000 and $80,000 a year.
Students interested in a career in biochemistry should take high school courses in biology, chemistry, physics, English, and mathematics. The minimum requirement for becoming a biochemist is a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in biochemistry or a closely related field such as chemistry, biology, or genetics. A bachelor’s degree usually takes 3 or 4 years to complete. Although the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree, this is often only enough for entry-level or technician jobs. To attain a more advanced research position you generally need at least a master’s degree in biochemistry, which takes another 2 years to earn. Many senior research jobs, and most academic positions, require applicants to have completed a PhD, which takes another 4 years.
Source
Biochemistry Job Description, Career as Biochemist, Salary and Employment.
http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/387/Biochemist.html
