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.
33,830 people do this job in the US. $127,410 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 64%
- 2%
- 35%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 0%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 1%. Today's estimate: 1%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 24 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.Done more than weekly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 5% | 1.7 work days3.3 h to 1 work week | 2%Half by Apr 2028 | |
| Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 2.1 work days6.7 h to 4.2 work days | 0%Half by Jan 2028 | |
| Develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 5% | 2.1 work days3.3 h to 2.1 work weeks | Stays with people | |
| Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.Done daily by most who do it. | 5% | 2.5 work days6.7 h to 1.7 work weeks | 0%Half by Jun 2028 | |
| Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.Done daily by most who do it. | 5% | 2.5 work days6.7 h to 1.7 work weeks | 0%Half by Jun 2028 | |
| Research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.Done more than weekly by most who do it. | 5% | 2.5 work days1.3 work days to 2.1 work weeks | 0%Half by May 2028 | |
| Isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 5% | 2.5 work days6.7 h to 2.1 work weeks | Stays with people | |
| Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 5% | 2.5 work days6.7 h to 1.7 work weeks | 0%Half by Jun 2028 | |
| Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 4.2 work days1.7 work days to 3.3 work weeks | 0%Half by Nov 2028 | |
| Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 5% | 4.2 work days6.7 h to 3.3 work weeks | Stays with people | |
| Study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.Done more than weekly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 5% | 4.2 work days1.7 work days to 2.1 work weeks | 0%Half by Aug 2028 | |
| Research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 5% | 4.2 work days1.7 work days to 2.1 work weeks | 0%Half by Aug 2028 |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
- Scientific Research and Development Services21,900 people
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing5,910 people
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools1,630 people
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing670 people
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services650 people
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).