A biochemistry degree is useful for a range of careers in industry and research, in areas such as health, food and agriculture, and the environment
Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Academic researcher
- Analytical chemist
- Biomedical scientist
- Biotechnologist
- Clinical research associate
- Clinical scientist, biochemistry
- Forensic scientist
- Medicinal chemist
- Nanotechnologist
- Pharmacologist
- Physician associate
- Research scientist (life sciences)
- Scientific laboratory technician
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Chartered accountant
- Environmental manager
- Health and safety inspector
- Medical science liaison
- Neuroscientist
- Patent examiner
- Product/process development scientist
- Science writer
- Toxicologist
Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.
Work experience
Laboratory work and your final‑year research project help you develop the practical and technical skills needed for research or technical roles.
Experience through summer internships or placements in research laboratories or industry can strengthen your applications, build contacts and enhance your skills.
Some courses include an integrated placement year, often in pharmaceutical or biotechnical industries or research institutes, with opportunities to undertake placements abroad.
Whatever your plans, gaining additional skills and experiences shows initiative and engagement.
Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.
Typical employers
Public‑sector employers include:
- Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
- forensic science services
- government departments and executive agencies such as the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- the NHS
- research institutes
- universities.
Biochemistry graduates are also employed in industry, working in sectors such as:
- agricultural, food and water
- biomedicine
- biotechnology
- environmental sustainability
- pharmaceuticals.
Small companies employ biochemists to provide specialist services, such as toxicological studies.
Other employers include scientific and medical publishers and the Intellectual Property Office. Biochemistry knowledge is also valuable in sales and marketing roles involving scientific products or technologies.
Find information on employers in science and pharmaceuticals, healthcare, teacher training and education and other job sectors.
Skills for your CV
Your degree develops specialist skills and knowledge such as:
- molecular biology techniques
- practical laboratory skills
- understanding of complex biological processes
- observation skills
- research and data analysis
- constructing arguments and engaging in debate
- critical thinking and problem solving.
You'll also build broader skills including:
- ability to work to deadlines
- communication and presentation
- maths and IT
- report writing
- planning and time management
- teamworking
- self‑management and independent working.
You can evidence these through practical work, group projects and any work experience.
Further study
Some undergraduate courses include a fourth year at postgraduate level leading to a Masters qualification.
Masters or PhD study is typically required for research careers in academia or industry. A PhD is essential for academic research or lecturing. Further qualifications can also support careers in publishing, science communication or clinical roles.
Additional training is required for teaching, accountancy or law. Biochemistry graduates can also apply for graduate‑entry medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in biochemistry.
What do biochemistry graduates do?
12% of biochemistry graduates work as laboratory technicians 15 months after graduation. Moreover, 11% work as biochemists and biomedical scientists, 4% as chemical scientists, 3% as biological scientists, 3% as secondary education teaching professionals, 2% as management consultants and business analysts and 2% as business associate professionals.
| Destination | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employed | 50.2 |
| Further study | 22.1 |
| Working and studying | 10.5 |
| Unemployed | 10 |
| Other | 7.2 |
| Type of work | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Science | 31 |
| Business, HR and finance | 14 |
| Retail, catering and customer service | 12 |
| Clerical, secretarial and administrative | 9 |
| Education | 5.7 |
Find out what other biochemistry graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?
Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.