Biochemistry

A biochemistry degree opens up a range of careers in both industry and research in areas such as health, food and agriculture, and the environment

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Academic researcher
• Analytical chemist
• Biomedical scientist
• Biotechnologist
• Clinical research associate
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Forensic scientist
• Medicinal chemist
• Nanotechnologist
• Pharmacologist
• Physician associate
• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Scientific laboratory technician

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Chartered accountant
• Environmental manager
• Health and safety inspector
• Medical science liaison
• Neuroscientist
• Patent examiner
• Product/process development scientist
• Science writer
• Toxicologist

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

The practical and technical skills you develop during your biochemistry degree - through laboratory-based work and your final year research project - prepare you well for a research or technical position. Obtaining some work experience, for example a summer internship in a research laboratory or company, will help to boost your chances of finding a job.

Some universities provide a four-year undergraduate course that includes an industry/research placement year. This is usually undertaken in the pharmaceutical or biotechnical industries or a research institute. Opportunities also exist to take a placement abroad, expanding your career prospects. Work placements help develop key skills further and provide opportunities for building contacts and networking.

Whatever your career plans, it's important to enhance your degree with extra skills and experiences, which show that you are a proactive person engaging with the world around you.

Typical employers

The main employers of biochemistry graduates in the public sector include:

• Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• forensic science services
• government departments and executive agencies such as the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• National Health Service
• research institutes
• universities.

Biochemistry graduates are also employed in industry. Typical employers include companies involved in:

• agricultural, food and water
• biomedicine
• biotechnology
• environmental sustainability
• pharmaceuticals.

Small companies employ biochemists to provide specialist services, such as toxicological studies.

Other employers include scientific and medical publishers and the Intellectual Property Office (as patent examiners). You can also use your biochemistry skills and knowledge in areas such as sales and marketing, where you could be selling the latest technology, scientific publishing and law firms dealing with scientific cases.

Find information on employers in science and pharmaceuticals, healthcare, teacher training and education and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

During your degree you'll develop specific skills associated with biochemistry, such as:

• in-depth knowledge of molecular biology techniques
• practical laboratory skills
• the ability to understand complex biological processes
• the ability to assemble an argument and engage in debate
• observation skills
• research and data analysis
• critical thinking and problem solving.

Other skills include:

• maths and information technology
• communication and presentation
• report writing
• planning and time management
• the ability to work to deadlines
• teamworking
• self-management and the ability to work independently.

You can demonstrate your experience in these areas by giving examples from the practical work and group projects included in your degree course, as well as any work experience you've done.

Further study

Some undergraduate courses integrate three years of undergraduate study with a further fourth year of study at postgraduate level, leading to a Masters qualification.

Study at Masters or PhD level is usually required for a career in research or industry. A PhD, for example, is essential for academic research or to secure a career as an academic lecturer. Even for associated careers such as publishing, science communication or clinical careers, further qualifications can be an asset and are becoming increasingly important.

You'll also need to undertake further training for careers in teaching, accountancy or law, for example.

With a biochemistry degree you can also apply for graduate entry to medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in biochemistry.

What do biochemistry graduates do?

17% of biochemistry graduates are natural and social science professionals 15 months after graduation. Moreover, 15% are working as science, engineering and production technicians. 7% are IT professionals and business associate professionals (3%).

Find out what other biochemistry graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Find out more

• Biochemical Society - Careers in molecular bioscience
• Royal Society of Biology - Careers