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19-1021.00 · Task explorer

Biochemists and Biophysicists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 24 tasks, including 20 marked Core and 4 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2020.

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24 tasks shown

Core · Task 12932 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12948 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12944 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12931 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12930 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.

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Core · Task 21168 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.

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Core · Task 12947 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12938 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.

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Core · Task 12951 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.

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Core · Task 12929 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.

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Core · Task 12936 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12937 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12935 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12940 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12949 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Research transformations of substances in cells, using atomic isotopes.

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Core · Task 12933 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12934 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12946 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 12950 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Examine the molecular or chemical aspects of immune system functioning.

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Core · Task 12941 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Supplemental · Task 12939 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

Prepare pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.

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Supplemental · Task 12942 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Supplemental · Task 12943 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Supplemental · Task 12945 · 08/2020 · Occupational Expert

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

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Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.