Description
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.
Interests
- Investigative
- Realistic
Work Values
- Recognition
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Analytical Thinking
- Persistence
- Attention to Detail
- Achievement/Effort
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.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Getting Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Presentation software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Electronic mail software
- Computer aided design CAD software
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Science
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Physics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Chemical Hygiene OfficerCertifying Organization
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Type
Core
Certificate name
Clinical Biochemical GeneticsCertifying Organization
American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Clinical Cytogenetics and GenomicsCertifying Organization
American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Clinical ChemistCertifying Organization
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $69,154 |
| Median (50%) | $95,079 |
| High (90%) | $147,429 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $91,671 |
| Mid Level | $108,420 |
| Senior Level | $124,063 |
| Expert Level | $173,528 |
Employability
There are currently 35,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 39,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 9%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 9%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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