Research

Area

• Basic Research
• Applied Research
• Grant Writing
• Administration
• Some areas of specialization:
  • Healthcare: virology, immunology, enzymology
  • Pharmacology: drug properties, interactions, application and development
  • Environmental: testing, air, water, and waste management, regulation
  • Agricultural: crop production, herbicide/pesticide development and application
  • Food science: preservation, nutrition
  • Cosmeceutical: development and application
  • Forensic: toxicology, DNA analysis, scientific instrumentation

Employer

• University laboratories
• Federal government laboratories/agencies:
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Energy
  • Armed Services
• State and local government laboratories/agencies
• Public health departments
• Hospital laboratories
• Commercial medical laboratories
• Private testing laboratories including forensics
• Independent research foundations
• Industries:
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biotechnology
  • Food processing
  • Cosmetic
  • Chemical
  • Petroleum
  • Agricultural

Information / Strategies

• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry qualifies one for laboratory technician or research assistant positions.
• Choose courses with laboratory components to build experimental and instrumentation skills.
• Gain experience in area of interest through internships, research with professors and/or complete a senior research project.
• Complete a certificate training program, usually one year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques.
• Take a course in grant writing.
• Earn master’s degree in biochemistry for advanced positions, greater responsibility, and higher pay.
• Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead research teams.

Teaching

Area

• Elementary
• Secondary
• Post-secondary
• Non-classroom setting

Employer

• Public and private schools, K-12
• Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
• Four-year institutions
• Professional schools including colleges of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture
• Museums
• Zoos
• Nature centers and parks

Information / Strategies

• Develop excellent communication skills.
• Volunteer with and/or tutor target age group.
• Complete an accredited education program for certification/licensure in biology and/or chemistry.
• Earn a master’s degree for teaching at some two-year institutions.
• Prepare to attend graduate school by maintaining a high grade point average and securing strong faculty recommendations.
• Complete Ph.D. for college or university teaching.

Healthcare

Area

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Podiatry
• Pharmacy
• Chiropractic
• Veterinary Medicine
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Public Health

Employer

• Hospitals
• Colleges or universities
• Medical centers and clinics
• Private and group practice
• Health networks
• Nursing homes
• Rehabilitation centers
• Correctional facilities
• Large corporations
• Armed services
• Government agencies
• State and local public health departments

Information / Strategies

• Plan on attending medical school or other related graduate program.
• Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particularly in the sciences.
• Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically.
• Join related student organizations. Demonstrate leadership abilities.
• Volunteer to work in a hospital or healthcare setting.
• Find a summer job or internship in a hospital.
• Secure strong faculty recommendations.
• Research all of the various fields within medicine to determine a particular career goal.
• Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.

Other Professional Opportunities

Area

• Sales/Marketing
• Technical Writing
• Scientific Journalism
• Scientific Illustration
• Regulatory Affairs
• Administration/Management
• Scientific/Technical Recruiting
• Intellectual Property/Patent Law
• Bioinformatics

Employer

• Biotechnology industry
• Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
• Publishers: Textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
• Software firms
• Regulatory agencies
• Search firms
• Law firms
• Legal departments of corporations

Information / Strategies

• Supplement biochemistry degree with coursework in chosen field.
• Gain sales experience through internships, part-time work, or summer jobs for sales positions.
• Take business and/or computer classes.
• Become familiar with desktop publishing and other software packages.
• Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
• Get experience writing for a school or local newspaper.
• Obtain an MBA or Ph.D. to reach high levels of administration.
• To pursue a J.D., participate in mock trial and pre-law associations, learn law school admissions process.

Characteristics of a BCMB Graduate

• Biochemists are typically curious and creative with strong observational skills and the ability to persevere.
• Biochemists often interact with scientists from other disciplines. Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
• Develop the ability to communicate clearly to compile and share results in oral and written forms.
• Gain competencies in computers and mathematics.
• Read scientific journals to stay current on relevant issues in the field, and join related professional organizations to network and build contacts.
• As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
• Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in biochemistry. Schedule informational interviews to learn about the profession and specific career paths.
• Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
• Consider a certificate program or specialized master’s program to qualify for research technician positions.
• Become familiar with the specific entrance exam for graduate or professional schools in your area of interest.
• Maintain a high grade point average, and secure strong faculty recommendations.
• Earn master’s degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job.
• Earn Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
• Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to expand career opportunities.
• Learn the job application process for government positions.