Biochemist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• working towards this role
• specialist training with the NHS

University

You'll usually need a relevant science degree, like:

• biochemistry
• biotechnology
• biopharmaceuticals
• chemical and molecular biology
• microbiology genetics
• molecular biology

If you do not meet the entry requirements for one of these subjects, you may be able to do a foundation year.

Postgraduate courses

For some jobs you may also need a postgraduate qualification like a master's degree or PhD.

Some degree courses include an integrated master's qualification like MBiolSci, MBiochem or MSci. You'll usually have more time for independent research and they're designed to lead directly onto further postgraduate study like a PhD.

Laboratory experience

It's important to get experience of working in a laboratory during your degree course.

You can do this through a:

• placement
• internship
• year in industry scheme
• Summer Vacation Studentship

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Work

You could start out as a laboratory technician and study on the job for a degree.

OtherRoutes

You could train to be a clinical biochemist in the NHS through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of biology
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• maths knowledge
• analytical thinking skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of physics
• science skills
• the ability to learn through your work
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• knowledge of English language
• persistence and determination
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to read English
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Biochemists investigate the chemical processes that take place inside all living things, such as viruses, bacteria and people.

Biochemists work in many sectors of the economy.

You could work in areas such as disease, pharmaceutical drugs, food products or academic research. You may also teach at a university.

In most roles you can expect to:

• plan and conduct scientific experiments
• develop new analytical techniques
• use computer software and mathematical modelling
• supervise lab teams and control the quality of work
• design or build lab equipment
• write scientific articles, prepare reports and present research findings
• follow official lab procedures

Location : You could work at a research facility, in a laboratory or at a university.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £24,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• develop a specialism
• manage a team, department or project
• move into product sales, marketing or science communication
• become a freelance consultant