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How a biochemist / biophysicist can use AI, task by task

O*NET 19-1021.00: Biochemists and BiophysicistsMedian pay $127,410/year (BLS, May 2025)24 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

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.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Analytical Research Chemist, Biochemist, Biophysics Researcher, Scientist.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 9%AI-assist 68%Stays human 23%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 2 AI-ready, 16 AI-assist and 6 human-led tasks out of 24. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.Lead people · Daily
  2. Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.Hands-on work · Monthly
  3. Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.Hands-on work · Monthly

AI can draft these 2

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

Monthly

AI turns complex material into plain-language handouts.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 45% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is great at turning complicated material into plain-language guides, handouts, FAQs and how-tos for a specific audience. You check it's accurate.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Topic: [status, results, fixes]
Audience: [customers, staff]
Notes: [paste]

Draft slides outline and speaker notes. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Technical presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare reports or recommendations and based upon research outcomes.
Step 2Fill in [Topic], [Audience] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations..

Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 28% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

Context: We use Microsoft Word.
Funder and call: [paste guidelines]
Project: [aims, methods, budget notes]

Draft the specific aims and narrative sections to the funder's structure, flagging gaps with [CHECK]. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Grant proposal draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write grant proposals.
Step 2Fill in [Funder and call] and [Project] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every requirement in the funder's guidelines and verify citations. Recompute every total yourself.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Write grant proposals..

AI can help you prep these 16

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

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

Daily

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.

Context: We use Microsoft PowerPoint; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Topic: [concept]
Students: [level]

Plan a lecture with demonstrations, problems and misconceptions to address. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Science class session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Students] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Instruct college students in physical or life sciences..

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

Daily

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Structure or process: [describe]
Methods available: [instruments, assays]

Outline experiments, controls, expected results, pitfalls, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Lab study plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study physical principles of living cells or organisms (today).
Step 2Fill in [Structure or process] and [Methods available] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the controls with a colleague before you start. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures..

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

Monthly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Topic: [status, results, fixes]
Audience: [customers, staff]
Notes: [paste]

Draft slides outline and speaker notes. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Technical presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you share research findings.
Step 2Fill in [Topic], [Audience] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations..

Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.

Context: We use SAP software and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Process to study: [biological mechanism, cell characteristic]
Tools: [assays, instruments]

Propose method options and validation steps. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: New lab method

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological.
Step 2Fill in [Process to study] and [Tools] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop biological research methods..

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

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.

Context: We use SAP software and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Research question: [describe]
Constraints: [sample, budget, time]

Draft a study design with sampling, measures and analysis plan. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Study design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design or perform experiments (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Research question] and [Constraints] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Design research studies to obtain scientific information..

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

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 11% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Structure or process: [describe]
Methods available: [instruments, assays]

Outline experiments, controls, expected results, pitfalls, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Lab study plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study the chemistry of living processes (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Structure or process] and [Methods available] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the controls with a colleague before you start.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures..

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

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Structure or process: [describe]
Methods available: [instruments, assays]

Outline experiments, controls, expected results, pitfalls, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Lab study plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules.
Step 2Fill in [Structure or process] and [Methods available] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the controls with a colleague before you start.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures..

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

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to study the mutations in organisms that lead to cancer or other diseases.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Disease or parasite: [name]
What I want to learn: [cause, spread, treatment]

Summarize what's known, open questions, experiment designs, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Disease research plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you study the mutations (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Disease or parasite] and [What I want to learn].
Step 3Verify the references in PubMed or your database.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research diseases or parasites..

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

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to research the chemical effects of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, or food, on tissues or vital processes.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Structure or process: [describe]
Methods available: [instruments, assays]

Outline experiments, controls, expected results, pitfalls, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Lab study plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research the chemical effects of substances (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Structure or process] and [Methods available] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the controls with a colleague before you start. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures..

Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Structure or process: [describe]
Methods available: [instruments, assays]

Outline experiments, controls, expected results, pitfalls, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Lab study plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research transformations of substances.
Step 2Fill in [Structure or process] and [Methods available] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the controls with a colleague before you start.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures..

Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.

Context: We use Molecular simulation software and SAS; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Structure or process: [describe]
Methods available: [instruments, assays]

Outline experiments, controls, expected results, pitfalls, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Lab study plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system.
Step 2Fill in [Structure or process] and [Methods available] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the controls with a colleague before you start. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research microbiological or chemical processes or structures..

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

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to develop or test new drugs or medications intended for commercial distribution.

Context: We use SAP software and Microsoft Excel; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Product or method: [drug, process]
Goals: [describe]

Plan development stages, tests and decision points. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: New product or method development

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop or test new drugs or medications.
Step 2Fill in [Product or method] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Review the plan with regulatory and research leads.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop new or advanced products or production methods..

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

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to research how characteristics of plants or animals are carried through successive generations.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Question: [trait, gene, expression]
Organism and data: [species, samples, sequencing]

Outline the experimental design, analysis methods, controls, and key literature. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Genetics study design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research how characteristics of plants or animals are.
Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Organism and data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the methods against two recent papers.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research genetic characteristics or expression..

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

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to develop or execute tests to detect diseases, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Disease or parasite: [name]
What I want to learn: [cause, spread, treatment]

Summarize what's known, open questions, experiment designs, and key references. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Disease research plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop or execute tests.
Step 2Fill in [Disease or parasite] and [What I want to learn].
Step 3Verify the references in PubMed or your database.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research diseases or parasites.. Also involves: Develop biological research methods..

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

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to investigate the nature, composition, or expression of genes or research how genetic engineering can impact these processes.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Question: [trait, gene, expression]
Organism and data: [species, samples, sequencing]

Outline the experimental design, analysis methods, controls, and key literature. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Genetics study design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you investigate the nature, composition and expression of genes.
Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Organism and data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the methods against two recent papers.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Research genetic characteristics or expression..

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

A few times a year

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to develop methods to process, store, or use foods, drugs, or chemical compounds.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics; the work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Product: [food item]
Goal: [flavour, shelf life, nutrition, texture]

Suggest formulation or process changes, tests to run, and regulations to check. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Food product improvement

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop methods to process.
Step 2Fill in [Product] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Open two of the sources it gives and confirm the key claim before you use it. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 3.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Research methods to improve food products..

These stay human 6

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Responsible for others' health and safety: high responsibility · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Impact of decisions: important results

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

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Team: [technicians, scientists]
Issue or goal: [quality, project]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Leading a lab team

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you manage laboratory teams (today).
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Issue or goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise scientific or technical personnel..

Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Sample and analysis: [soil microbes, proteins, tissues]
Method: [technique]

Make a prep and run checklist with controls and pitfalls. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Biological sample analysis prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
Step 2Fill in [Sample and analysis] and [Method] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze biological samples..

Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Equipment: [instrument, sensor system]
Purpose: [experiment, data collection]

List set-up, calibration and verification steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Lab or field equipment set-up

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design or build laboratory equipment.
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run a known standard or test before collecting real data.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Set up laboratory or field equipment..

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

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones, allergens, minerals, or enzymes and determine their effects on body functions.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Sample and analysis: [soil microbes, proteins, tissues]
Method: [technique]

Make a prep and run checklist with controls and pitfalls. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Biological sample analysis prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you isolate, analyze, or synthesize vitamins, hormones and allergens.
Step 2Fill in [Sample and analysis] and [Method] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze biological samples..

Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Product: [compound, protein, solution]
Protocol: [key steps]

List prep steps and QC. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Compound or solution prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare pharmaceutical compounds.
Step 2Fill in [Product] and [Protocol] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing..

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

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins, using recombinant DNA technology.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and physics.
Product: [compound, protein, solution]
Protocol: [key steps]

List prep steps and QC. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Compound or solution prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you produce pharmaceutically or industrially useful proteins.
Step 2Fill in [Product] and [Protocol] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Speakingimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Active Learningimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Learning Strategiesimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Monitoringimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.2/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.4/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Active Listeningimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Writingimportance 4.2/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

  • Molecular and Cellular Biologists45% human-led · Same preparation · $98,920/yr · usually bachelor's degreeSkills to build: Negotiation, Coordination
  • Nanosystems Engineers32% human-led · Same preparation · $122,930/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Technology Design, Negotiation, Quality Control Analysis
  • Physicists8% human-led · Same preparation · $172,250/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Programming, Mathematics, Science
  • Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary31% human-led · Same preparation · $93,250/yr · usually master's degreeYour skills already line up

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Analyze biochemical or biophysical data.

New in O*NET

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a biochemist / biophysicist. Part of my job is to analyze biochemical or biophysical data.

Context: We use SAS and IBM SPSS Statistics.
Here is my data on biochemical or biophysical data: [paste a table, or list the columns you export from SAS or IBM SPSS Statistics]
What I'm trying to decide: [the question this data should answer]

1. Tell me the 3 most important things this data shows for that decision
2. Point out anything unusual I should double-check
3. Give me the spreadsheet formulas to reproduce your numbers
Show your working step by step.

10-minute exercise: Second pair of eyes: biochemical or biophysical data

Step 1Export a small slice of real data on biochemical or biophysical data from SAS or IBM SPSS Statistics, with names and confidential figures removed.
Step 2Paste it into [paste a table] and write the real decision in [What I'm trying to decide].
Step 3Put one of the formulas it gives into your spreadsheet. If your number differs, ask AI why before trusting anything else.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

New O*NET task (08/2020). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Post-doctoral training is most common (40% of workers)

  • Bachelor's 25%
  • Graduate degree 75%
  • On-the-job training: 3–6 months
  • Related experience: 2–4 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe PhotoshopExtensible markup language XMLIBM SPSS StatisticsLinuxMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordPerlPython