A Biochemist is a professional who specializes in the study of the chemical processes and substances occurring within living organisms. They apply their knowledge of biology and chemistry to conduct research, analyze data, and develop solutions in various areas such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. In this blog post, we will explore the main responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Biochemists.

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Main Responsibilities of a Biochemist

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Biochemist:

Adhere to

Adhere to ethical guidelines and safety protocols in laboratory practices.

Advance

Advance the quality of throughput of the in vitro DMPK / Tox assay suite.

Advise

Advise clinical staff and play a role in managing clinical chemistry analytical services.

Analyze

• Analyze, interpret, and present data and results internally and externally.

• Analyze and interpret biochemistry and molecular biology data with methodological rigor.

• Analyze and interpret complex biological data using bioinformatics tools.

• Analyze experimental data using statistical techniques and present findings in reports or publications.

Assay

Assay development and validation in bioprocess or antibody screening.

Assess

• Assess new technologies for application to site operations.

• Assess relative IP position of key competitors.

Assist in

• Assist in investigation and assay trouble shooting.

• Assist in laboratory investigations and assay troubleshooting with supervisor / manager.

Attend

Attend and contribute to local and national scientific meetings and conferences.

Build

• Build and optimize multi-enzyme pathways.

• Build strong relationships with peers and across groups to enable higher performance.

Calibrate

Calibrate or verify laboratory equipment.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with industry partners to develop new products or technologies.

• Collaborate with other scientists and researchers on interdisciplinary projects.

Communicate

Communicate specimen requirements to appropriate personnel.

Compile

Compile key findings and lessons-learned on all test activities.

Conceive

Conceive, plan, design, and conduct advanced studies.

Conduct

• Conduct and evaluate experiments and assays under moderate supervision.

• Conduct and provide Freedom to Operate analysis.

• Conduct assay development for external client partners.

• Conduct clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.

• Conduct experiments and research studies to investigate the chemical processes in living organisms.

• Conduct experiments to study the effects of drugs and toxins on biological systems.

• Conduct high throughput enzyme characterization and assay.

• Conduct quality control checks to ensure accuracy and reliability of laboratory results.

• Conduct theoretical research activities and literature searches.

Contribute to

• Contribute to research as to merit serving as author or co-author on research publications.

• Contribute to the development of new theories and scientific knowledge in the field of biochemistry.

Coordinate

• Coordinate sample tracking, deposition and retrieval with the biorepository and preclinical group.

• Coordinate the release of documents, test data, and relevant information to coalition countries.

Define

Define and implement instrument preventative maintenance activities and schedules.

Demonstrate

Demonstrate the university's commitment to being agile and innovative and ensuring student success.

Design

• Design and assess instrument evaluations and test validations.

• Design and conduct studies to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of new drugs or treatments.

• Design test plans, events, and studies to ensure compliance with Department of Defense standards.

Determine

• Determine that tests are conducted in accordance with test protocols.

• Determine type and duration of exclusivity available (Patent, Regulatory Data Protection).

Develop

• Develop and implement methods for extracting and analyzing biological samples.

• Develop and improve diagnostic tests for diseases and genetic disorders.

• Develop and maintain databases and repositories for storing biological data.

• Develop and optimize biochemical assays and techniques for laboratory use.

• Develop and optimize protocols for the purification and isolation of biomolecules.

• Develop, conduct and validate enzyme assay methods and prepare assay SOPs and protocols.

• Develop or revises laboratory SOPs as required.

Document

• Document experiments, results and findings in electronic laboratory notebook.

• Document procedures used and results of studies as appropriate.

• Document test results in notebooks and reports.

• Document unacceptable specimens according to appropriate policy.

• Document writing (laboratory investigations, out of specifications, deviations, CAPAs) , data.

Ensure

• Ensure compliance in the laboratory in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, and.

• Ensure experimental work adheres to department processes.

• Ensure test results are disseminated to theater.

• Ensure uninterrupted inventory of testing supplies.

Establish

Establish and reviews complex plans for multiple projects or activities.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and interpret scientific literature to inform research and development.

• Evaluate data using analytical methodologies to achieve results.

• Evaluate key quality attributes of fusion proteins, antibodies, and bioconjugates.

• Evaluate litigation strategy.

• Evaluate new equipment for purchase.

• Evaluate patentability, validity and enforceability of IP rights.

• Evaluate status and scope of IP rights.

Follow

Follow company guidelines and document in detail experimental procedures and results.

Foster

Foster Collaboration and Teamwork.

Generate

Generate testing records and report results.

Grasp

Grasp of various testing strategies including unit, integration, system, smoke, regression, etc..

Help

Help solve problems in real-time.

Identify

Identify key IP assets to protect and defend.

Implement

Implement project plans comprehending resource, budget, facility and regulatory requirements.

Incorporate

Incorporate DMPK data into ligand design.

Innovate

Innovate through patent filings and / or scientific publications.

Interpret

• Interpret compendia and internal monographs, NDAs and GSK Quality Standards.

• Interpret SAR data and interact with pharmacologist.

• Interpret validation data.

Investigate

• Investigate and develop new procedures / technologies.

• Investigate enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of biochemical reactions.

• Investigate the biochemical basis of diseases and develop potential therapeutic interventions.

• Investigate the structure, function, and interactions of biological molecules.

Investigations

Investigations according to established procedures and recommend corrective actions.

Keep

• Keep abreast of trends in drug discovery field.

• Keep informed of new laws, regulations.

Lead

• Lead troubleshooting activities.

• Lead with Integrity and Respect.

Lift

Lift and / or move up to 25 pounds, including a briefcase and / or sales materials.

Maintain

• Maintain accurate up to date Laboratory records.

• Maintain clean and stocked workstations ensuring spills are immediately cleaned.

• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure proper handling and storage of chemicals and samples.

• Maintain proper records and documentation.

• Maintain Quality Assurance policies and procedures to ensure validity of results.

• Maintain required record keeping in compliance of CLIA / CAP / NY laboratory regulations.

Make

Make sound compliant decisions when needed.

Manage

• Manage inventory and perform lab management tasks such as placing orders with vendors.

• Manage setup, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Negotiate

Negotiate IP-related matters in agreements.

Operate

• Operate and mainatin QC laboratory equipment / instrument in a cGMP-compliant manner.

• Operate purification and enzyme activity assay automated systems.

Participate in

• Participate in academic and / or administrative committees, where appropriate.

• Participate in all phases of cancer drug discovery.

• Participate in conducting method qualifications.

• Participate in scientific conferences and present research findings.

Perform

• Perform administrative duties, i.e. hiring, discipline and performance evaluations.

• Perform and evaluate literature and patent searches and write your own invention reports.

• Perform diligent and timely note-keeping and work process tracking.

• Perform equipment and instrument calibrations according to establish procedures.

• Perform laboratory tests and experiments to identify and characterize substances.

• Perform routine testing such as PCR, UV-Vis,SDS-PAGE, pH, osmolality, conductivity and HPLC.

• Perform spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses to characterize biomolecules.

• Perform technical laboratory testing following all applicable regulatory policies.

Prepare

• Prepare and standardize Test solutions, Standard solutions and Volumetric solutions.

• Prepare laboratory reagents, standards, and solutions for test procedures.

• Prepare media, sample, and or reagents as needed.

• Prepare, operate, and troubleshoot equipment in experimental procedures.

• Prepare reports and presentations.

• Prepare research reports, give internal and external presentations, contribute to publications.

• Prepare test schedule based on client and theater priorities.

Present

• Present results regularly at team meetings.

• Present results regularly at team meetings and drive data-driven decisions.

• Present scientific observations to others.

• Present work at group and department meetings.

Provide

• Provide appropriate written documentation of experiments.

• Provide assistance in maintaining accreditation standards of OLA and CAP and accreditation readiness.

• Provide biophysical support for both upstream and downstream functional groups.

• Provide educational seminars to LifeLabs staff.

• Provide enzymology perspectives & support to projects.

• Provide expertise in protein design and purification needs.

• Provide instrumentation care, maintenance, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.

• Provide leadership in the evaluation, implementation and support of new technologies.

• Provide mentorship and aid development of the technical team in partnership with line managers.

• Provide results for activities associated with the Request For Information (RFI) tool.

• Provide support for Test Organization / Coalition Test.

Recommend

Recommend options for future experiments.

Record

• Record and Interpret analytical data (LCMS,NMR, etc.).

• Record video lessons with PowerPoint, delivered in our teaching style.

Research

Research publications authored in peer reviewed high-quality journals.

Respond to

Respond in a timely manner to items raised through the CEM process.

Review

Review and approves investigations, change controls, protocols, validation reports.

Revise

Revise laboratory SOPs and WIs as assigned.

Select

Select and run appropriate statistical tests.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with the latest advancements in biochemistry and related fields.

Study

• Study and manipulate DNA, RNA, and proteins for genetic engineering purposes.

• Study the effects of environmental factors on living organisms.

Supervise

Supervise technical staff for clinical testing in the absence of a Lab Supervisor.

Support

• Support lab investigations, Change controls and CAPA's.

• Support ongoing staff training and competency programs and help improve these activities.

• Support regulatory inspections as needed.

• Support the system test programs.

Teach

Teach and mentor junior researchers, students, or laboratory staff.

Track

Track record of securing public funds for collaborative research and development.

Train

Train lower-level scientists.

Translate

Translate top-level goals to specific project level goals for individual team member.

Understand

Understand the importance of clear communication adapted in a manner suitable for the audience.

Use

• Use computer software and modeling tools to simulate biological processes.

• Use of LC / MS and LC / MS / MS to validate and characterize proteins.

Utilize

Utilize multiple analytical instruments.

Work with

• Work collaboratively on assay development for internal R & D projects.

• Work directly with QA personnel to ensure the components meet or exceed product specifications.

• Work under general supervision to meet project goals.

• Work with a curriculum team and director who will guide you through our teaching method.

Write

• Write and communicate experimental plans and reports.

• Write grant proposals to secure funding for research projects.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Biochemist:

1. Proficiency in molecular biology techniques (PCR, DNA sequencing, gene expression analysis).

2. Knowledge of protein purification and characterization methods.

3. Experience with cell culture and tissue culture techniques.

4. Expertise in chromatography and spectrophotometry.

5. Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and analysis of genomic data.

6. Familiarity with mass spectrometry and proteomics.

7. Understanding of enzymology and enzyme kinetics.

8. Knowledge of biochemical assay development and optimization.

9. Experience with recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering.

10. Proficiency in statistical analysis and data interpretation.

11. Familiarity with laboratory automation and high-throughput screening.

12. Knowledge of bioanalytical techniques (ELISA, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry).

13. Experience with microscopy and imaging techniques.

14. Understanding of bioinformatics algorithms and software.

15. Proficiency in computer programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB).

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Biochemist:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

2. Attention to detail and precision in laboratory work.

3. Effective communication and presentation skills.

4. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

5. Time management and organizational skills.

6. Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic research environment.

7. Critical thinking and experimental design.

8. Collaboration and teamwork.

9. Curiosity and a passion for scientific discovery.

10. Ethical conduct and responsible research practices.

Conclusion

In the field of biochemistry, Biochemists play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of life processes and developing solutions to global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. By fulfilling their main responsibilities and possessing the necessary hard and soft skills, they contribute to scientific breakthroughs, innovation, and the improvement of human health and well-being.