Biophysicist

Earnings (Yearly Median): $103,810 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Employment and Outlook: As fast as average growth (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018)

O*NET-SOC Code: 19-1021.00

Related Career Clusters: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Health Science; Human Services

Scope of Work

Biophysicists study the physical properties of living organisms and their cellular components., including These include electrical, chemical, and mechanical processes, then. They apply this knowledge to understanding the complex reactions involved in biological processes such as metabolism, heredity, reproduction, and photosynthesis. Biophysicists are often involved in developing new medications and other substances and testing them to determine their effects on the body. They may also analyze the effects of environmental pollutants on an organism. Biophysicists often play a role in the detection and treatment of disease as well as the development of new biomedical products and research technologies. Biophysicists conduct in-depth quantitative analyses that rely on complex mathematical data. These scientists typically work in laboratory settings at universities, pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing facilities, and private research institutions.

Education and Coursework

A career in biophysics requires a bachelor of science degree plus several years of graduate and postgraduate education. Most biophysics jobs will require at least a master's degree. Beginning in high school, students interested in pursuing a career as a biophysicist should take coursework across a range of different scientific disciplines, including mathematics, biology, physics, and chemistry. Future biophysicists commonly major in one or more of these scientific disciplines at the undergraduate level, as very few undergraduate programs offer a major in biophysics.

In-depth coursework on subjects such as molecular physics and biology, chemistry, engineering, and statistics will prepare undergraduate students for advanced study. They should also hone writing, public speaking, and research skills, as later in their careers they will have to perform literature reviews, prepare papers and grant proposals, and present and defend research proposals. Undergraduates are also encouraged to gain hands-on research experience, either through university laboratory sessions or through a summer internship program in a research lab.

Upon graduating from college, aspiring biophysicists pursue either a master's degree or a doctorate degree (PhD). In addition to a PhD, students interested in treating patients or performing research involving humans will also need to pursue a medical doctorate (MD). For the first few years in a PhD program, students must take advanced courses in fields of relevance to biophysics, such as biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, neurology, and physiology. This coursework is structured and accompanied by work in a laboratory setting to give students knowledge of the latest research protocols. Most graduate students also hold positions as teaching or research assistants. Upon completion of the seminar and laboratory phase of their graduate education, candidates must undertake an independent research project. This research will culminate in a dissertation, which, if completed, will be published in a relevant professional scientific journal. The entire process of completing such a degree can take between three and five years, although the dissertation phase could take longer.

Candidates who seek a medical degree in addition to a PhD in biophysics must also take structured courses during their first two years of medical school. This will enable them to practice medicine while conducting research. During the second half of medical school, students also receive training in a hospital setting, working with patients and hospital staff while conducting independent research. Medical school typically lasts four years but is followed by residency and internships. These add to the continued training of a medical doctor.

Career Enhancement and Training

Many biophysicists who begin their careers with a bachelor's or master's degree are eligible only for entry-level positions, with limited opportunities for advancement. Individuals entering the field with PhDs usually obtain additional training after graduation as postdoctoral researchers for two or three years, working with experienced scientists at academic, pharmaceutical, or other scientific research laboratory facilities. This training helps them to apply the knowledge and experience they obtained in graduate school to researching a specific problem or field of study, such as genetics, cellular mechanics, or pharmaceutical development. It will also help them develop new research techniques, formulate models, and prepare scientific papers for publication.

Biophysicists, like other scientists and medical professionals, benefit greatly by networking with their peers through professional societies and associations. Biophysicists who are also medical doctors, for example, are able to share information with colleagues through the American Medical Association (and their state affiliate associations). The Biophysical Society, based in the United States, and the European Biophysics Societies' Association are examples of networks and associations geared specifically toward these professionals. Membership in a professional association offers a number of benefits, including opportunities and resources for professional development, free access to journals and databases, and representation in outreach and advocacy efforts in the field of biophysics.

Daily Tasks and Technology

Biophysicists' daily tasks vary based on the field in which they apply their knowledge. In general biophysicists collect specimens, analyze their components, collate data, generate models, and use the information to generate reports and scientific papers. The primary goal of biophysicists' research is to understand complex biological processes, such as cell growth or metabolism, in order to develop more effective drugs, biomedical products, and treatment regimes. In addition to utilizing existing research practices, biophysicists may be responsible for refining and developing new analytical techniques. They may utilize many different types of spectrometers, centrifuges, and microscopes. These technologies assist biophysicists in detecting diseases, genetic disorders, mutations, and the effects of pharmaceuticals and food products on an organism's biological processes and structures.

Biophysicists' work is performed mainly in a laboratory setting. Most biophysicists work as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers that may also include chemists, engineers, and computer scientists. Biophysicists who are senior-level scientists are also responsible for managing laboratory staff, including research assistants, interns, and technology operators. These scientists monitor staff progress on their assignments and ensure that the tasks performed are consistent with the overall project's parameters.

In addition to the research performed, biophysicists must compile and analyze the data collected to generate models and papers. One of the most useful technologies they employ for this purpose is computer-aided design (CAD) software, which is capable of compiling large quantities of data and forming comprehensive models based on that data. They also frequently use graphic and imaging software, which is capable of generating detailed, three-dimensional images of molecular and cellular structures. Furthermore, biophysicists use the data and models generated through their research and compilation to write and publish reports, scientific papers, articles, and books.

Earnings and Employment Outlook

The annual earnings for biophysicists and biochemists vary based on the arena in which they work. For example, scientists who work in the higher education sector may earn considerably those who work in the private sector, such as in pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing or privately funded research facilities. Biophysicists who are also medical doctors generally earn much higher salaries, in many cases approaching or even exceeding $200,000. Altogether, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated the median annual pay of all biophysicists (and biochemists) at $103,810 in 2022.

While salaries for biophysicists can be high, in many cases—particularly for combined PhD/MD holders—these scientists must also pay for school loans, malpractice insurance, and other significant expenses. Many biophysicists involved in research often receive a large portion of their funding through grants (one-time payments from a foundation or the government), which means that annual budgets can be subject to dramatic changes if the anticipated grants are not approved.

Biophysics is a specialized field, which means that there are a limited number of such professionals in the market. As the need for knowledge about genetics, pharmaceuticals, and disease increases and technology continues to evolve, the demand for biophysicists is expected to grow. This trend is particularly evident in the pharmaceutical field, as research into the effectiveness of new medicines requires the expertise of knowledgeable biophysicists.

Related Occupations

• Biochemists:Biochemistry focuses on the chemical processes of living organisms. Biochemists follow a similar educational and professional career track to that of biophysicists.

• Medical Doctors: Many biophysicists are in fact medical doctors who specialize in biophysical research. However, medical doctors may have other duties related to patient care and hospital administration in addition to the research responsibilities of a biophysicist.

• Epidemiologists: Epidemiologists study the spread of disease among humans and other organisms. Like biophysicists, they closely study the cause and characteristics of various diseases.

• Agricultural and Food Scientists:Agricultural scientists and food scientists study the development and use of food products, sharing a number of common areas of research with biophysicists.

• Biological Technicians: Biological technicians tend to have a more technical education than biophysicists, but both professions make use of the same research technologies, share many activities, and are likely to work together in teams in a laboratory.

Future Applications

The life-sciences field, which includes pharmaceutical research and medical manufacturing, continues to grow, due in no small part to the pressing need to find cures for a number of medical ailments. Additionally, new technologies are being developed that are capable of analyzing biological subjects in greater detail than ever before. In light of these trends, the demand for biophysicists is expected to grow steadily.

It is expected that the number of biophysicists, which is relatively small in light of the specificity of the field, will also continue to grow over the longer term, especially as the applications for this field expand. Biophysicists are already in demand to research disease treatments, and as research efforts expand in the field of genetic disorders and conditions, this will be even more the case. Furthermore, the development of alternative fuel and food sources, such as genetically modified crops that can produce larger yields with less maintenance, has a number of biophysical applications, and the demand for experienced biophysicists capable of adapting their skills and knowledge to this growing field will likely continue into the near future.

Bibliography

"19-1021.00 – Biochemists and Biophysicists." O*NET Online, 29 Aug. 2023, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1021.00. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023.

"Biochemists and Biophysicists." Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biochemists-and-biophysicists.htm. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023.

"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2018: 19-1021 Biochemists and Biophysicists." Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Dept. of Labor, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191021.htm. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023.