Biochemists and Biophysicists

19-1021.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
• Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
• Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
• Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
• Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
• Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
• Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
• Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
• Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
• Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
• Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.
• Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.
• Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.
• Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.
• Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.
• Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
• Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.
• Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.
• Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.
• Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.
• Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.
• Develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs, or chemical compounds.
• Investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes.
• Produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Accelrys Cerius2; Accelrys FELIX; Accelrys QAUNTA; Analysis and building software; Assisted model building with energy refinement AMBER; Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST; Carrier-mediated transport software; Chang Bioscience ToolKit; Chemistry at Harvard Molecular Mechanics CHARMm; Crystallography & NMR System (CNS); Crystallography software; Dassault Systemes Abaqus; Docking and ligand binding software; Expression DNA and protein sequence software; Fujitsu BioMedCache; Fujitsu MOPAC; Gaussian software; Genetics computer group GSG software; GEPASI; Hodgkin-Huxley Model software; IBM SPSS Statistics 🔥; Laboratory information management system LIMS; Macroscopic diffusion software; Minitab; Molecular simulation software; Multivariate statistical program MVSP software; PREMIER Biosoft Array Designer; SAS 🔥; Semichem AMPAC; Shrodinger Jaguar; Statistical software; Structure prediction software; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; Tripos SYBYL; Video analysis software; Voltage-gated ion channels software; Wavefunction Spartan; Wavefunction Titan; Yet another scientific artificial reality application YASARA software
• Computer aided design CAD software - Accelrys Insight II; ChemInnovation Software Chem 4-D
• Data base user interface and query software - Sequence database software
• Data mining software - Golden Helix ChemTree; Golden Helix HelixTree
• Electronic mail software - Email software; Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI What if?
• Graphics or photo imaging software - 3D graphics software; Adobe Photoshop 🔥; AutoQuant AutoDeblur; Elsevier MDL ISIS/Draw; GE Healthcare ImageQuant TL; Graphics software; Intelligent Imaging Innovations SlideBook; JustBio SeqPainter; Molecular Devices Corporation MetaFluor; Molecular Devices Corporation MetaMorph; Molecular Simulations WebLab ViewerPro
• Information retrieval or search software - Molecular Networks GmbH Biochemical Pathways
• Internet browser software - Internet browser software
• Inventory management software - ItemTracker
• Object or component oriented development software - Perl 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint ; Presentation software
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.
• Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures.
• Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
• Develop biological research methods.
• Write grant proposals.
• Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
• Analyze biological samples.
• Set up laboratory or field equipment.
• Research diseases or parasites.
• Develop new or advanced products or production methods.
• Research genetic characteristics or expression.
• Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.
• Research methods to improve food products.