Description
Conduct biochemical research on the composition, structure, and reactions of living systems to elucidate metabolism, growth, heredity, and disease. Evaluate how drugs, hormones, nutrients, and other substances affect cells and tissues. Develop and apply analytical methods and assays to support research, diagnostics, and therapeutic development.
- • Design and conduct biochemical experiments to study cellular processes.
- • Analyze proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites using chromatography and mass spectrometry.
- • Develop and validate assays to detect diseases, biomarkers, or genetic disorders.
- • Investigate metabolic pathways using isotopic labeling and enzymatic analyses.
- • Characterize protein structure and function using X-ray crystallography, NMR, or cryo-EM.
- • Engineer or express recombinant proteins and optimize purification workflows.
- • Study mutations and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and other diseases.
- • Evaluate effects of drugs, hormones, and nutrients on cells, tissues, or model organisms.
- • Develop or test new therapeutics, including biologics and small-molecule inhibitors.
- • Isolate, synthesize, or modify enzymes, vitamins, or hormones and assess bioactivity.
- • Research gene regulation, expression, and biochemical bases of heredity.
- • Examine molecular aspects of immune responses and host-pathogen interactions.
- • Optimize methods to process, stabilize, and store biomolecules and assay reagents.
- • Maintain laboratory records, analyze data, and prepare technical reports or recommendations.
- • Author scientific manuscripts and present findings at seminars or conferences.
- • Write grant proposals and manage research budgets or timelines.
- • Ensure lab safety, quality control, and compliance with protocols and regulations.
- • Manage or mentor laboratory staff and supervise experiments.
- • Design and implement high-throughput screening or omics workflows.
- • Collaborate with chemists, clinicians, or data scientists to translate findings.
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Advanced Manufacturing
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
