JOB REPORT / 19-1021 · 24 TASKS

Biochemists and Biophysicists.

Can AI do the work of Biochemists and Biophysicists?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research
Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system…
Develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Biochemists and Biophysicists work. It covers the 24 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

24 of 24 tasks reviewed

We went through all 24 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Biochemists and Biophysicists actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
AI DOES
Drafts sections, improves clarity, formats citations, and suggests budget language
YOU DO
Supply original research ideas, preliminary data, and relationships with reviewers
TASK 02
Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.
AI DOES
Searches research literature, predicts protein structures, and finds patterns in molecular data
YOU DO
Design experiments and interpret unexpected biological findings
TASK 03
Develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs, or chemical compounds.
AI DOES
Searches research databases, suggests processing protocols, and models chemical interactions
YOU DO
Run lab experiments and validate results in the real world
TASK 04
Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.
AI DOES
Predicts protein structures, processes diffraction patterns, and flags likely molecular shapes from raw data
YOU DO
Design experiments, handle equipment, and make judgment calls about ambiguous or novel structures
TASK 05
Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
AI DOES
Predicts 3D protein and nucleic acid structures from sequence data and helps process cryo-EM or X-ray diffraction data
YOU DO
Validate predictions experimentally and interpret results in biological context
TASK 06
Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
AI DOES
Suggests test designs, flags genetic patterns in data, and speeds up result analysis
YOU DO
Run the physical lab steps and make final calls on ambiguous findings
TASK 07
Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.
AI DOES
Screens molecular candidates, predicts binding interactions, and summarizes research literature
YOU DO
Run physical experiments and apply safety and ethical judgment to real test results
TASK 08
Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
AI DOES
Searches research literature, proposes experimental approaches, and runs simulations of biological mechanisms
YOU DO
Trust your scientific creativity and physical lab skills to test, refine, and validate new methods
TASK 09
Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.
AI DOES
Searches literature, suggests experimental designs, and helps interpret isotope tracing data patterns
YOU DO
Handle isotopes safely, run the actual experiments, and judge unexpected biological results
TASK 10
Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
AI DOES
Generates design drafts, suggests materials, models equipment specs, and searches existing solutions
YOU DO
Physically build, test, and refine equipment in the lab based on real experimental results
TASK 11
Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.
AI DOES
Searches research databases, predicts protein interactions, and helps interpret experimental data
YOU DO
Design and run the actual lab experiments and synthesize compounds hands-on
TASK 12
Produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology.
AI DOES
Designs gene sequences, predicts protein folding, and flags likely expression problems before lab work begins
YOU DO
Run the physical experiments, troubleshoot live cultures, and validate real protein yields in the lab
TASK 13
Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
AI DOES
Helps track project milestones, flags data quality issues, and drafts performance summaries
YOU DO
Build trust with team members and make judgment calls about people and priorities
TASK 14
Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
AI DOES
Suggests experimental designs, predicts outcomes, and analyzes instrument data
YOU DO
Operate equipment hands-on and make real-time judgment calls in the lab
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
AI DOES
Drafts reports and formats recommendations from data
YOU DO
Choose what matters and own the call
About this analysis
36% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16
Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.
AI DOES
Helps optimize formulation parameters and flags documentation errors
YOU DO
Handle physical materials, operate equipment, and ensure safety compliance in person
TASK 17SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes.
AI DOES
Analyzes genetic sequences and finds patterns in data
YOU DO
Design experiments and interpret what matters
About this analysis
25% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.
AI DOES
Finds papers and summarizes genetic mechanisms
YOU DO
Design experiments that test your hypothesis
About this analysis
14% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.
AI DOES
Identifies patterns and flags potential mutations
YOU DO
Interpret biological meaning and next steps
About this analysis
13% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
AI DOES
Generates lesson plans and research suggestions
YOU DO
Guide each student's unique growth
About this analysis
11% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 21SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
AI DOES
Drafts sections and creates presentation slides
YOU DO
Shape the story and defend findings
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 22SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
AI DOES
Processes data and suggests analytical approaches
YOU DO
Design experiments and interpret what matters
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 23SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.
AI DOES
Analyzes data patterns and suggests hypotheses
YOU DO
Design experiments and interpret meaning
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 24SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.
AI DOES
Analyzes data patterns and suggests research directions
YOU DO
Design experiments and interpret biological meaning
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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Use your judgment.

There are 24 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Biochemists and Biophysicists
SOC code: 19-1021
Tasks reviewed: 24 of 24

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $127,410 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): Not reported for Colorado
Employed (national): 33,830
Employed in Colorado: 960
Job outlook: +5.8% by 2034 · ~2,900 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.

Develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs, or chemical compounds.

Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.

Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.

Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.

Develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.

Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.

Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.

Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.

Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.

Produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology.

Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.

Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.

Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.

Investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes.

Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.

Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.

Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.

Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.

Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.

Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.

Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.