Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Biochemist
What biochemists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a biochemist?
Check overnight cell cultures. From there, the day usually includes design experiments, purify proteins, and run assays. Full time, sometimes long hours for experiments.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a biochemist working full time.
- Check overnight cell cultures.
- Purify a protein.
- Run an enzyme assay.
- Lab meeting.
- Analyze results.
- Plan the next experiment.
- Write a paper section.
Where biochemists work
Biochemists work in labs at universities, biotech and pharma companies.
Hours and schedule
Full time, sometimes long hours for experiments.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Design experiments
- Purify proteins
- Run assays
- Analyze data
- Write papers
- Write grants
- Lead lab teams
Tools you’ll use every day
- HPLC
- PCR machines
- Spectrophotometers
- Centrifuges
- Mass spectrometers
- Analysis software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- High pay
- Cutting-edge science
- Medical impact
What’s hard
- Long training
- Grant pressure
- Experiments fail often
- Competitive academia
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love biology and chemistry
- I’m persistent
- I like lab work
- I want medical impact
- I’m willing to do a Ph.D.
- I like data
Not sure? Take the free Biochemist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow biosafety rules
- Handle chemicals safely
- Wear PPE
- Dispose of waste properly