Profession biochemist

Biochemists study and perform research on the reactions caused by chemicals in living organisms. This includes performing research for the development or improvement of chemical-based products (e.g. medicine) aimed at improving the health of living organisms and at better understanding their reactions.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Investigative / Artistic
• Investigative / Social

Knowledge

• Genetics

  The study of heredity, genes and variations in living organisms. Genetic science seeks to understand the process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring and the structure and behaviour of genes in living beings.

• Biological chemistry

  Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Laboratory techniques

  Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

• Biology

  Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

• Molecular biology

  The interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.

• Communicable diseases

  Communicable diseases is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Analytical chemistry

  Instruments and methods used to separate, identify and quanitfy matter - the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.

• Biotechnology

  The technology that uses, modifies or harnesses biological systems, organisms and cellular components to develop new technologies and products for specific uses.

• Pharmaceutical chemistry

  The chemical aspects of identification and synthetic alteration of chemical entities as they relate to therapeutic use. The way various chemicals affect biological systems and how they can be integrated in drug development.

• Pharmacology

  Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Scientific research methodology

  The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

Skills

• Analyse chemical substances

  Study and test chemical sustances to analyse their composition and characteristics.

• Perform chemical experiments

  Perform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.

• Maintain laboratory equipment

  Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.

• Apply safety procedures in laboratory

  Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

• Calibrate laboratory equipment

  Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.

• Perform laboratory tests

  Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

• Apply scientific methods

  Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

• Perform scientific research

  Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB