Biochemistry is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Biochemistry
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Research
Career Areas
- Basic Research
- Applied Research
- Grant Writing
- Administration
- Some areas of specialization:
- Healthcare: virology, immunology, enzymology
- Pharmacology: drug properties, interactions, application and development
- Environmental: testing, air/water/waste management, regulation
- Agricultural: crop production, herbicide/pesticide development and application
- Food science: preservation, nutrition
- Cosmeceutical: development and application
- Forensic: toxicology, DNA analysis, scientific instrumentation
Employers
- University laboratories
- Federal government laboratories/agencies:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Energy
- Armed Services
- State and local government laboratories/agencies
- Public health departments
- Hospital laboratories
- Commercial medical laboratories
- Private testing laboratories including forensics
- Independent research foundations
- Industries:
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotechnology
- Food processing
- Cosmetic
- Chemical
- Petroleum
- Agricultural
Sample Occupations
Teaching
Career Areas
- Elementary
- Secondary
- Post-Secondary
- Non-Classroom Settings
Employers
- Public and private schools, K-12
- Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
- Four-year institutions
- Professional schools including colleges of:
- Pharmacy
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Veterinary medicine
- Agriculture
- Museums
- Zoos
- Nature centers and parks
Sample Occupations
Healthcare
Career Areas
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Pharmacy
- Chiropractic
- Veterinary Medicine
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
Employers
- Hospitals
- Colleges or universities
- Medical centers and clinics
- Private and group practice
- Health networks
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Correctional facilities
- Large corporations
- Armed services
- Government agencies
- State and local public health departments
Sample Occupations
Other Professional Opportunities
Career Areas
- Sales/Marketing
- Technical Writing
- Scientific Journalism
- Scientific Illustration
- Regulatory Affairs
- Administration/Management
- Scientific/Technical Recruiting
- Intellectual Property/Patent Law
- Bioinformatics
Employers
- Biotechnology industry
- Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
- Publishers: textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
- Software firms
- Regulatory agencies
- Search firms
- Law firms
- Legal departments of corporations
Sample Occupations
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Biochemists are typically curious and creative with strong observational skills and the ability to persevere.
- Biochemists often interact with scientists from other disciplines. Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
- Develop the ability to communicate clearly to compile and share results in oral and written forms.
- Gain competencies in computers and mathematics.
- Read scientific journals to stay current on relevant issues in the field, and join related professional organizations to network and build contacts.
- As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
- Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in biochemistry.
- Schedule informational interviews to learn about the profession and specific career paths.
- Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
- Consider a certificate program or specialized master's program to qualify for research technician positions.
- Earn a master's degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job.
- Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. (Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.)
- Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to expand career opportunities.
- Learn the job application process for government positions.
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