How to become a biochemist or biomedical scientist
Official title: Biochemists and biomedical scientists
Also called: Scientist, Biochemist, Lab scientist, Clinical scientist, Research scientist, Biomedical scientist, Laboratory scientist, Biomedical technologist, Pharmaceutical scientist, Medical laboratory scientist, Advanced biomedical scientist, Specialist biomedical scientist
Biochemists and biomedical scientists examine and investigate the chemical processes of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases, and perform laboratory tests on tissue, blood and other samples to diagnose diseases, toxins or health conditions.
Main tasks
- Studies the chemical form, structure, composition and function of living organisms
- Identifies and studies the chemical substances, including microbial infections, involved in physiological processes and the progress of disease
- Performs tests to study physiological and pathological characteristics within cells and other organisms
- Researches the effects of internal and external environmental factors on the life processes and other functions of living organisms
- Performs tests to help clinicians diagnose and treat various conditions, evaluates existing treatments and researches new ways to treat diseases
- Researches, develops and quality checks new products in the pharmaceuticals, food production and agricultural Industries
How to become one
Entrants usually possess a degree. Entry may also be possible with an appropriate BTEC/SQA award, an HNC/NHD, or other academic qualifications. Further specialist training is provided on the job. Some employers may expect entrants to hold a postgraduate qualification or gain professional qualifications.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Clinical pharmacology scientist (integrated degree) (level 7). England. Typically 30 months. Skills England standard ST0798.
- Apprenticeship (England): Clinical trials specialist (degree) (level 6). England. Typically 60 months. Skills England standard ST0609.
- Apprenticeship (England): Scientist (level 6). England. Typically 60 months. Skills England standard ST0626.
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 27 universities in the UK
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £47,892 a year The middle half earn £37,637 to £56,662.
- About 51,600 people work in this job now, and about 57,400 are projected by 2035. (+11.1%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become a biochemist or biomedical scientist?
Entrants usually possess a degree. Entry may also be possible with an appropriate BTEC/SQA award, an HNC/NHD, or other academic qualifications. Further specialist training is provided on the job. Some employers may expect entrants to hold a postgraduate qualification or gain professional qualifications.
How much does a biochemist or biomedical scientist earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £47,892 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £37,637 to £56,662.
Is a biochemist or biomedical scientist a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 51,600 to about 57,400 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a biochemist or biomedical scientist?
Usually. 95% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
Graduate outcomes: Discover Uni dataset, HESA (www.hesa.ac.uk), licensed under CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). Aggregated by subject and adapted by Peernovo.