Biochemist

?Job overview
?Biochemists endeavour to describe the chemical building blocks and components of living organisms, and how these interact with each other in the different biological processes.

?Recently they have become involved with molecular biology, the analysis and alteration of genetic material.

?What do people do in this career?
?In order to study the chemical composition of living things biochemists engage in research, carry out experiments, tests and analyses to determine biochemical changes and study the activities of living organisms.

?They also study the composition and function of genes and transfer them into other organisms.

?Biochemists work in various fields which determine the nature of their work.

?They often perform research on new products and look into new ways of successfully using waste material, or develop new methods for the purification of water.
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Biochemists are involved in the control of the purity of foods and the development of specific antibiotics and they test the reaction of the human body? to certain medicine.

?They are also involved in genetics, forensic science etc.

?As biotechnologists they work in industry where products are manufactured through chemical processes and reactions

?What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
?Prospective biochemists should be of above average intelligence and interested in science, have an aptitude for mathematics and chemistry and be able to concentrate well and work accurately.

?It is also an advantage for them to have good hand-eye co-ordination.

?Possible employers include: research institutes and industries responsible for the production of food, pharmaceutical products and insecticides.

?There are also opportunities at government departments such as agriculture and health.

?What qualifications are needed?
?A minimum of a BSc, and preferably a postgraduate qualification in biochemistry.