Biochemists and Biophysicists - Hot Jobs 2010 - 2020

People don't want to die, and if they can live longer, then they want to do it as healthy individuals and not as invalids ravaged by the diseases and conditions of old age. People don't want to be sick with chronic conditions at any stage of life, either. They also do not wish to be killed by biological warfare.

To this end, biological sciences help humans at all stages of the lifespan, from conception to the end of mortal life, to achieve the healthiest status possible. This includes the human body and the nutrients that are ingested by it, genetic influences, vaccines and immunizations, and other aspects. We increasingly have the capacity to live to be centenarians or older, with increased health. Economics and politics sometimes play a role in how much progress can be achieved out of this capacity.

During autumn 2010, for example, biological scientists in Canada discovered a means of creating blood from skin tissue. This advance will help people by offering a supply of their own blood already on hand, if they need a transfusion during surgery.

New body tissues besides blood can increasingly be grown in the laboratory. Experiments that are advancing the regrowth of severed spines has been under way since at least the 1940s and is gaining momentum at Wright State University in Ohio and other research facilities. Since the same date, regeneration of missing limbs (France, 1940s) has been a goal that is becoming more achievable through biological sciences and bioengineering.

The high school and undergraduate educations of a potential biological scientist are heavy in STEM courses: Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Biology, marine biology, botany, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics through trigonometry are useful. Agriculture courses, classes in nutrition, and others are applicable. See the list of top universities for Biological Sciences at the end of this Hub.

You may think that you do not know about any biophysicists or biochemists, but two of these professionals, James D. Watson and Francis Crick, discovered the double helix of DNA in the 1960s. Among other importance, this discovery led the way to further discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of the genetic causes of many diseases and conditions.

In the 21st Century, the original Watson-Crick discoveries are the basis for developing new health and medical treatments and wellness programs; and for developing ways of surviving long-term in reduced gravity on extraterrestrial facilities like the International Space Station, the Moon, and Mars.

We will be growing new organs larger than the small sections of esophagus already produced for surgical insertion via the use of an item as simple as ground up pig membrane or our own stem cells. This all can eliminate the time wasted on the debate of whether to use embryonic stem cells at all. The biochemistry, biophysics, and biomechanical engineering sciences have done this for us in cooperation with other health/medical professionals and scientists and engineering specialists. Thus do the biological sciences provide some of the hottest jobs for 2010 - 2020.

Biochemists

These biological scientist study chemical compositions of organisms and cells. They analyze complex chemical combinations and reactions in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and aging. 

Biophysicists

These biological scientist study physics as it relates to organisms and cells, particularly energy. They research assignments within neuroscience or bioinformatics to examine the molecular level of structures, properties, functions, and interactions. 

Approximately 80% of all job vacancy postings for Biochemists and closely related positions are made by divisions of General Electric, particularly GE Energy: Nearly half of all positions are with the government or government contractors. Positions for Biophysicists are very few overall.

Median salaries are about $82,000/year, higher in research settings; alghout the MS and PhD degrees are often required at the highest-earnings levels of employment. Th3 average yearly salary found by Indeed,.com in November 2010 is $59,000.

Biological Science BS degree earners can also teach science at the high school level in many US States.

1. GE Energy
2. General Electric
3. GE Commercial Finance
4. GE Aviation
5. Kelly Scientific Resources
6. Siemens - Number One Leader in hearing aides gloabally
7. Merck & Co.
8. Agilent
9. Aerotek
10. Becton, Dickinson and Company

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Other leading companies: Monsanto, Novartis, Procter and Gamble, BASF.

The Work Group develops systems and technology for disaster preparedness, etc., focusing primarily on chemical and biological defense, under the leadership of the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of Defense.

Interdisciplinary Work Group:researchers are diverse - electrical, mechanical, chemical, and biomedical enginnering, physics, mathematics, CIS, chemistry, and biology. Target activities include support for additional Homeland Security missions, natural disaster management, forensics; with electronics and algorithm support for other missions.

The Biochemist hired will be part of a multidisciplinary team that examines chemical sensor requirements and capabilities in various applications. He/she may work in sensor technology development that includes analysis, design, development, testing. and evaluation. Field experiments may require travel. Work will involve chemical and explosive threat defense and threat model simulation.

The Biochemist will work in planning, designing, and executing lab-based workpackages to express and purify recombinant expressed proteins; and, develop and perform immunological and biochemical assays for proteins to aid protein-based discovery and trait development (for enhanced crop yield and qaulity, disease resistance, and nutritional value). The Biochemist will also accurately prepare data summaries and reports, and perform presentations on research findings. He/she will maintain an ongoing professional development program individually, with aid of the company. The Biochemist will identify proteins, detect and assay, provide technical support and expertise. He/she must have creative problem solving skills, strong planning and organizational skills, and the ability to work with all levels of personnel.

Qualifications

• BS in Biochemistry, plant or weed science, or plant pathology.
• 10 years experience, or MS degree and 7 years experience.
• Demonstrated abilities in protein isolation/purification, protein expression, immunological and biochemical analyses, mass spectrometric data analysis, etc.
• Experience in plant molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunological methods.

• Harvard University - Boston MA
• Stanford University - Stanford CA
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA
• Yale University - New Haven CT
• University of California--San Francisco
• Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore MD
• University of California--Berkeley
• California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA
• Rockefeller University - NYC
• Scripps Research Institute - La Jolla CA

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Reference: US News and World Reports list for 2010: HERE.

Search for the Top 10 Universities at GOOGLE.