DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
19-1021 Biochemists and Biophysicists
Occupational Description:
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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Southwest Minnesota | N/A | 7 | N/A | $0.99/hr | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Minnesota | 900 | 69 | $38.42/hr | $2.04/hr | $22.36/hr | $27.32/hr | $34.81/hr | $46.11/hr | $58.63/hr |
| U S | 31,360 | 1,788 | $52.55/hr | $2.68/hr | $24.59/hr | $32.32/hr | $45.90/hr | $64.22/hr | $88.83/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | 90 | $31.27/hr | N/A |
| Biological Technicians | 10 | $16.22/hr | 3.0% |
| Conservation Scientists | N/A | $28.30/hr | N/A |
| Microbiologists | N/A | $27.54/hr | N/A |
| Foresters | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Studies chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, and living energy changes, such as growth, aging, and death.
- Prepares reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes.
- Develops and tests new drugs and medications used for commercial distribution.
- Analyzes foods to determine nutritional value and effects of cooking, canning, and processing on this value.
- Cleans, purifies, refines, and otherwise prepares pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.
- Design and build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
- Researches and determines chemical action of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, and food on tissues and vital processes.
- Isolates, analyzes, and identifies hormones, vitamins, allergens, minerals, and enzymes, and determines their effects on body functions.
- Develops and executes tests to detect disease, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
- Develops methods to process, store, and use food, drugs, and chemical compounds.
- Examines chemical aspects of formation of antibodies, and researches chemistry of cells and blood corpuscles.
- Researches methods of transferring characteristics, such as resistance to disease, from one organism to another.
- Studies physical principles of living cells and organisms and their electrical and mechanical energy.
- Investigates damage to cells and tissues caused by x-rays and nuclear particles.
- Investigates transmission of electrical impulses along nerves and muscles.
- Analyzes functions of electronic and human brains, such as learning, thinking, and memory.
- Studies absorption of light by chlorophyll in photosynthesis or by pigments of eye involved in vision.
- Researches cancer treatment, using radiation and nuclear particles.
- Investigates dynamics of seeing and hearing.
- Studies spatial configuration of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-ray and electron microscope.
- Researches manner in which characteristics of plants and animals are carried through successive generations.
- Researches transformation of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.
