---
name: biochemist
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'biochemist' (also: biochemistry research scientist, chemical biotechnologist, biochemistry studies scholar, biochemistry science researcher, biochemistry studies research scientist, biochemistry studies scientist). Use when the user asks for typical biochemist work such as: Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.; Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.; Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics."
---

# 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.

## Core workflow

1. Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
2. Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
3. Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.
4. Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
5. Develop data models and databases.
6. Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools.
7. Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.
8. Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.
- See [references/ai-skills.md](references/ai-skills.md) — matched external AI agent skills (per-source attribution).

## Key competences (essential)

- analyse chemical substances
- analytical chemistry
- apply for research funding
- apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- apply scientific methods
- biological chemistry
- biology
- biotechnology
- calibrate laboratory equipment
- communicable diseases
- communicate with a non-scientific audience
- computational chemistry
- conduct research across disciplines
- demonstrate disciplinary expertise

## Hot technologies

- IBM SPSS Statistics
- SAS
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Docker
- GitHub
- Tableau
- Salesforce software
- Apache Hadoop
- Microsoft SQL Server
- MySQL

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*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/6df6c5cb-c1a2-42c8-acd0-1ee5563c36c1), O*NET 30.3 (19-1029.01). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*