Biochemistry is a broad field of science which generally studies the chemical principles of living organisms and biological processes. Biochemistry is a branch that interconnects Chemistry and Biology along with other sub-disciplines. For that reason, the field covers a wide variety of concepts and ideas.
Due to the fact that Biochemistry plays a vital role in our daily lives as well as in the development of various methodologies, techniques, and technology, it can be stated that Biochemistry is of immense importance for the society as a whole.
Biochemical concepts are applied to a diverse variety of sub-disciplines identified within the areas such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Nutrition, or Engineering. Taking into consideration the personal and academic interests of an individual, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry might lead to specialization in different areas meaning that the workplace for a Biochemist might vary from person to person.
The article provides several workplaces for individuals with a particular degree in Biochemistry.
Educational Institutions
The role of educational institutions in our society is of considerable importance. They are essential for the development of an individual in various aspects, including education, communication, or behavior. Getting proper training grants students the set of skills and qualities that are important in shaping attitudes and points of view.
For the students to be able to realize their social goals, it is of enormous importance to provide successful teaching methods and high-quality staff.
Individuals with a degree in Biochemistry and strong educational background in the field of expertise can work at various educational institutions such as colleges or universities for different positions. These positions are dependent upon the level of knowledge of an individual and include Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Supervisor/Instructor, or Laboratory Assistant.
“Professor” is an academic rank which refers to the most senior academic position, sometimes known as “Full Professor.” Being a Professor of Biochemistry requires high-level experience in the field, which means that individuals willing to become a Professor must earn undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees as well as corresponding post-doctoral experience.
“Associate Professor” holds the lower position in the most common hierarchy academic ranks. Individuals working as Associate Professors have mid-level experience in a particular field.
“Assistant Professor” is typically an entry-level position for individuals with the lowest degree in the field. Sometimes it is not even necessary to earn an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry to work as an Assistant Professor. Most Professors hire their top students as Assistants which means that good academic standing in specific subjects might also lead to working as an assistant.
The same can be stated regarding the Laboratory Instructor and Laboratory Assistant. Laboratory Instructor is the principal supervisor in the lab, while the Laboratory Assistant is an entry-level professional who helps to prepare solutions, substances, or other materials for the proper functioning of the lab.
Research Laboratories
Research Laboratories are the workplaces that conduct various scientific research. They are of immense importance since research is directly related to the development of the world and the enhancement of the quality of life.
Individuals with a particular degree in Biochemistry can work in Biochemical Research Laboratories specializing in various sub-branches of Biochemistry.
Biochemistry Researchers usually work on a wide variety of research topics depending on the current needs and interests of the Research Laboratory. The topics might include Cancer Research, Testing of Biomolecules, Genetic Engineering, Testing of Pharmaceutical Compounds, Metabolomic
Agricultural Companies
Agricultural Biochemistry is the study of concepts and ideas of Chemistry, Biology, and Biochemistry that are essential for agricultural production, processing of raw materials into foods or beverages. Agricultural Biochemistry highlights the linkages between plants, animals, bacteria, and their environment.
Considering the importance of Biochemistry for the agricultural industry, various agricultural companies offer jobs to individuals specializing in Biochemistry. The most common position for Biochemistry professionals at different agrarian companies can be considered to be Quality Assurance Scientist, primary responsibilities of which is provided below.
Analyst, Quality Assurance
Primary responsibilities for a professional working as an Analyst include:
– Routine analytical analyses on samples;
– Routine analyses of packed products;
– Routine testing for different procedures depending on the type of the agricultural company;
– Inspection and analysis of package integrity and specifications;
– Quality analyses ensuring accurate results, timely completion, and proper responses/notification;
– Performance of studies and statistical analyses for quality improvement purposes;
– Other laboratory testing, as needed.
Pharmaceutical Companies
The pharmaceutical industry discovers, develops, produces, and markets pharmaceutical drugs for medicinal purposes. Pharmaceutical companies are of immense importance for curing and treatment of diverse diseases. Such companies are in charge of the development and enhancement of methodologies and techniques utilized in the process of drug production. Considering this, drug development is directly related to the successful functioning of such companies.
Pharmaceutical companies offer various jobs for Biochemistry professionals including but not limited to Production Specialist, Research Scientist, Quality Control Analyst, Microbiologist, Sterility Assurance Analyst.
Primary responsibilities of a typical Biochemistry professional at a particular pharmaceutical company might include the following:
– Conduct analytical testing of raw materials, samples, products;
– Preparation of samples for analysis;
– Perform specific analytical tests employing instruments such as HPLC, GC, UV, IR, FTIR, etc.;
– Data analyses, writing research papers, reports, etc.;
– Ensure that the work is carried out in compliance with company safety policies and standard operating procedures;
– Other duties, as needed.
Hospitals
Medical Biochemistry is one of the sub-disciplines of medicine that implements concepts and ideas of Biochemistry of human’s body for the development and enhancement of human health issues. The field is of immense importance for proper diagnoses and treatment of different diseases and biochemical disorders.
Various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, offer jobs for Biochemists. Several examples of such positions are provided below.
Clinical Biochemist
Clinical Biochemists are laboratory-based professionals, responsible for testing of various physiological samples. Moreover, Clinical Biochemists are also responsible for the analysis of the results and writing reports of corresponding findings.
Minor responsibilities of a Clinical Biochemist include the following:
– Designing experiments used to test theories;
– Conducting periodic checks of automated testing devices;
– Accurate calibration of testing equipment;
– Management of laboratory teams.
Nutritional Biochemist
Nutritional Biochemists are typically responsible for the determination of optimal dietary intakes for every nutrient and food component throughout the whole life cycle of an organism. These are professionals who advise people on how to intake nutritional supplements to follow a healthy lifestyle or enhance health-related issues. Nutritional Biochemists evaluate the health conditions of their patients based on which they propose individual treatment plans.
Endocrinologist
An Endocrinologist is a doctor specializing in the endocrine system who can diagnose and treat varying hormone-associated diseases. Endocrinologists work independently or in collaboration with other professionals to identify and propose effective treatment plans.
Hospital Pharmacist
A Hospital Pharmacist is a health professional specializing in Pharmacy, focusing on the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs. They are responsible for the determination of optimal medication plan for each patient. Their duties include evaluation of patient’s medical condition and medicine history, the examination of allergies, checking the valid drug history, reviewing and ensuring accuracy of prescriptions from doctors, monitoring drug charts, preparing and discharging patients.
Anesthesiologist
An Anesthesiologist is a professional responsible for proper implementation of anesthesia and anesthetics to safely support a patient’s essential functions throughout the perioperative period. Principal duties of an Anesthesiologist include evaluation of the patient before surgery, consultation with the surgical team, providing pain control and controlling vital functions during operation, supervising patient’s condition after the surgery, and discharging the patient.
Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary Biochemistry is the study of different cellular processes involving various biomolecules at the molecular level. The field requires the understanding of a diverse variety of functions in animals through the analysis of the blood plasma (serum), urine, ascitic fluids, and their uses in diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.
Veterinary Biochemists can work at various Veterinary Clinics to ensure the quality of pharmaceutical drugs used for the treatment of animals, evaluate chemical processes affecting the normal functioning of the animal organism, identify symptoms and find a cure for metabolic diseases in animals, perform testing of samples, or write reports of findings.
