State College Biochemistry Jobs Overview
Biochemists study the chemical processes that take place within our bodies and those of other living organisms. What we know today as biochemistry began in 1774 with a jar, a plant, and a mouse. A scientist named Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen when he put a plant and a mouse together in a jar and found that the mouse could breathe the gas produced by the plant. That was just the start of the essential discoveries that scientists with biochemistry jobs have found through the decades working with DNA, hereditary traits, disease, and cell development.
Biochemists conduct basic and applied research, manage laboratory teams, and prepare papers, reports, and presentations. They may use microscopes, X-rays, modeling software, and other tools to identify and analyze the structures of molecules and study how different types of cells grow, divide, and mutate. They also work to secure funding and grants to continue their work.
You may hear biochemists being called biophysicists, molecular biologists, or cellular biologists. Approximately 10% of all biochemists work for pharmaceutical manufacturers, with the next 8% in colleges and universities. Some biochemistry jobs exist in consulting services, wholesale trade, or sales for companies who need the help of an expert to sell their products.
You can expand your search for life science jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in State College, Pennsylvania
Home to Penn State’s main campus in central Pennsylvania, State College is inevitably defined by the hulking influence of university life. Beaver Stadium hosts the Nittany Lions football team, a major local attraction with several Big Ten Conference championship wins. Meanwhile, the sizeable Palmer Museum of Art features a permanent collection of over 10,000 objects—extending across many centuries and cultures—in addition to rotating exhibits. Densely populated (with the greater environs nicknamed Happy Valley), State College is full of quality-of-life assets, from loads of parks and walking trails to multiple libraries, good schools, friendly residents, cultural activities, and a bustling downtown district.
As for State College jobs, academia reigns supreme here, with work widely available in the education field. Other important sectors include food services, retail, construction, and government. Housing and the overall cost of living tend to be on the higher end, but well-paying jobs with upward mobility, low crime rates, and utilities and transportation expenses that are cheaper than the national average make up for this. If you need more options, take a look at Altoona and Harrisburg nearby, as well as Pittsburgh further west.
Update Your State College Biochemistry Resume
Whether you plan to work in an academic setting or for a for-profit organization, you'll need a top-notch resume that summarizes your background and research experience. We have sample resumes for both an entry-level biochemist and a more experienced biochemist to give you an idea of what formatting will make the best impression. A cover letter that grabs the hiring manager's attention is also important. Monster has cover letter samples and tips on writing a great cover letter in our library to help you get started.
How Much Do Biochemistry Jobs Pay in State College, Pennsylvania?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in biochemistry jobs in State College, Pennsylvania, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median biochemist pay in State College is $63,612 per year, which is 0% higher than the national average.
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