Biophysicist
Sample Subheading
Also known as: Biophysics researcher, biochemistry researcher, scientist, analytical research chemist
Using specialized microscopes and imaging tools, biophysicists study the physical forces behind some of life's greatest mysteries, like how misfolded proteins cause Alzheimer's, how viruses assemble and infect cells, and how DNA fits inside tiny cell nuclei. While biologists ask "what happens?", biophysicists ask "how, with how much force, and at what speed?" They turn the mysteries of living systems into physics problems we can solve.
Duties
- Conduct research and experiments Biophysicists design and carry out experiments to understand how living things work at a physical and chemical level—like studying how a protein folds or how fast a cell moves.
- Analyze experimental data After running experiments, biophysicists work through large amounts of data using math, statistics, and computer software to figure out what the results actually mean.
- Teaching and mentoring Biophysicists who work at universities teach courses and supervise students doing research. Even in other settings, senior biophysicists guide and support junior team members and interns.
- Collaborating with other scientists Biophysics sits right at the crossroads of biology, physics, and chemistry, which means biophysicists almost always work in teams with other types of scientists, engineers, and doctors.
- Share and publish research findings A big part of being a scientist is sharing what you've discovered so that others can learn from it, build on it, or use it to develop new medicines and treatments.
Education
Minimum qualification: Doctoral degree
Biophysicist - Biology
A mind map-style diagram shows different ways to become a biophysicist. It includes both typical and alternative paths that may connect or overlap. Select each step to learn about the education, training, or experience that can help you reach this career.
Salary
- Entry level: 103000
- Mid level: 171000
- Senior level: 202000
Job outlook
Job openings: 2100
Demand: Steady growth
- Help to advance MRI, PET, cryo-EM, and other imaging tools that enable earlier and more precise disease detection. (Employment for biophysicists is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,100 job openings each year on average.)
- Contribute to bio-inspired solutions for carbon capture and optimized photosynthesis, essential for sustainable energy solutions. (Sustainable energy and climate solutions reinforce the field’s projected decade-long growth in employment.)
- New roles blend physics-based models with AI to predict molecular behavior and help design better therapies. (New hybrid roles combining AI and biophysics feed into the steady stream of ~2,100 yearly job opportunities.)
Quote
It doesn't matter whether or not you're a natural at something. If you enjoy it and you care about it then you can put the hours in and over time you're going to get really good at it.
Dr. Marinna Madrid, Biophysicist
Read Marinna's story
Marinna Madrid dropped out of NYU journalism school—it was a terrible fit. She started over at community college, where she discovered her love for physics and biology. That fresh start led to UCLA, then Harvard, and eventually to a breakthrough: using lasers to deliver medicine into individual sick cells. Her technique was so revolutionary that she co-founded Cellino Biotech to turn it into real healthcare technology. Her path proves you don't need to have it figured out from the start.
Related careers
Sources
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