Career Explorer Science
Grows with AI
Biochemists and biophysicists
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 65% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +12.3% by 2035, much faster than average. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $127,410
- Job growth to 2035
- +12.3%
- Openings a year
- 2,900
- People doing it (2025)
- 35,200
- Usual route in
- Doctorate or professional degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Research biological or ecological phenomena
- Present research or technical information
- Teach academic or vocational subjects
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Develop research plans or methodologies
- Supervise personnel activities
- Prepare proposals or grant applications
What the work looks like
- Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
- Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
- Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
- Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
- Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatricHuman edge, growing, Index 72, +4.0%
- Orthotists and prosthetistsHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +12.9%
- Athletic trainersGrows with AI, Index 81, +12.7%
- Occupational therapistsGrows with AI, Index 84, +14.8%
Also known as: Analytical Research Chemist, Biochemist, Biophysics Researcher, Scientist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.