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Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemistry of life. They investigate life’s processes at the level of molecules, using their knowledge to identify and solve biological problems. They research and develop new products and processes to benefit a wide range of areas, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, health care and agriculture.
Work activities
Biochemistry involves studying basic life processes, for example, the way that DNA is transferred between cells and can be manipulated to solve problems. Biochemists work with all types of organisms, from micro-organisms to plants and animals. Biochemical techniques are very important to nearly all areas of biological research, so biochemists work in all areas of modern biology.
In industry: biochemists develop new products and monitor the production process, ensuring safety and quality. They work in a very wide range of industries, including food, pharmaceutical, brewing, biotechnology and agrochemical companies. Biochemists produce vaccines and antibodies and investigate the way in which DNA can be manipulated to provide remedies for genetic disorders. Biochemists will also help to decide which form a drug should take as a medicine, for example, as a tablet, injection or lotion.
In medicine: clinical biochemists usually work in hospitals, analysing body tissues and fluids to help with the diagnosis of disease. Disease causes change in the complex biochemistry of the body, so biochemists can detect disease by analysing the concentration of substances in body fluids and tissues.
In agriculture: biochemists help to develop products such as pesticides and fertilisers. They use their knowledge of genetic modification to develop pest-resistant crops, improve crop yields and increase the amount of time that foods will keep for. Other biochemists monitor the environment, for example, tracing pollutants as they move through food chains.
In computing and bioinformatics: a number of biochemists are involved in bioinformatics. This is the application of information technology (such as the internet and databases) to biology.
Biochemists can also work in many other areas, including education, medical writing, journalism, marketing and sales.
Personal qualities and skills
To be a biochemist, you’ll need:
- To be curious, and have an enquiring mind.
- The ability to think logically.
- A thorough, patient and methodical approach to your work.
- Good organisational skills to plan and carry out experiments.
- Practical laboratory skills.
- Observation skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Maths, statistics and computer skills.
- The ability to explain results clearly and concisely, including in written reports.
- Teamwork skills.
The process of ensuring that a chemical product is safe may involve tests on animals, so you need to be prepared to be involved in this.
Pay and opportunities
Salaries for biochemists vary. Biochemists earn in the range of £24,000 a year, rising to £50,000 with experience.
Biochemists typically work 38-40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, they might need to have early starts, late finishes, shifts and weekend work.
Major employers throughout the UK are companies in the brewing, food and drink and pharmaceutical industries. Other opportunities are with universities, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the NHS. Opportunities for biochemists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in science magazines such as New Scientist (which also posts jobs on its website), on specialist job boards, and in national/local newspapers.
Entry routes and training
It’s usual for biochemists to have a degree in biochemistry or a closely related subject with a substantial biochemical content. It’s important to read prospectuses carefully to check how much biochemistry is involved. Single subject degrees in biochemistry are widely available. Universities often also combine biochemistry with subjects such as chemistry, genetics and biotechnology. Degrees in medical biochemistry are also available. A number of sandwich degrees in biochemistry are available.
Some universities offer courses with a foundation year. This is an extra year for students who don’t have the specified science A-levels for entry. Because biochemistry is a research-based discipline, many graduates go on to take a postgraduate qualification, such as a specialist MSc, or undertake research towards an MPhil or PhD. Postgraduate qualifications are often essential for entry into research positions in higher education and research institutions.
Nowadays, it is possible to enter this career through a higher or degree apprenticeship. This way, you will train with employer on the job and work towards your degree or other higher-level qualifications on day or block release. Relevant qualifications include:
- Laboratory scientist (level 6 / degree)
- Research scientist (level 7 / higher)
- Bioinformatics scientist (level 7 / degree)
It might be possible to work your way up from the position of laboratory technician. You would usually need to study part-time while employed as a technician to do this, for example, by day-release. Entrants with relevant science HNDs or foundation degrees usually begin in technician-level posts.
Some employers give graduates the opportunity to work towards a postgraduate qualification while they are in employment. Trainee clinical biochemists in the Scientist Training Programme (STP) have three years of approved and accredited workplace training.
You could progress into a supervisory or management-level post. Postgraduate qualifications can be very important for career progression. Clinical biochemists follow a structured career path, eventually leading to a consultant post, for example, as the head of a large hospital department.
Qualifications
To enter a relevant degree course, the usual minimum requirement is:
- Two to three A-levels. Biology is usually essential and you might need at least one other science subject.
- GCSEs at grade 9-4 in your A-level subjects.
- A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4. Either English or maths, or both, can be specified.
To enter a higher or degree apprenticeship programme, you will need two A-levels and GCSEs in English and maths.
Adult opportunities
Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
Some entrants have developed laboratory skills during industrial work placements.
If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, for example, Access to Science. You don’t usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider. A foundation year before the start of a science degree or HND is available at some universities and higher education colleges for students who don’t have the science A-levels usually needed for entry to the course.
Funding for postgraduate study and research may be available, through universities, from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
