Are you looking for senior-level academic jobs in biochemistry?
Biochemical research and teaching play a central role in the curricula of scientific and medical disciplines. Senior-level academics in biochemistry lead internationally- recognised research programmes and manage teaching and learning activities in a university. They also drive the strategic vision and global reputation for biochemistry research and practice of their institution.
Biochemistry is an exceptionally broad-ranging field, spanning multiple sectors. Experienced academics in biochemistry lead vital research into unlocking the potential of proteins and enzymes to discover and develop life-saving drugs and treatments and sustainable industrial and agricultural processes and materials.
In this post, we explore a range of senior-level academic jobs in biochemistry, the qualifications and experience required and the opportunities to progress your academic career to even greater heights.
Job Descriptions:
Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry
Senior lecturers in biochemistry deliver cross-disciplinary teaching in biological/life sciences and medicine. They also cultivate and lead research programmes in their fields of expertise.
Duties include:
- Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students within a variety of disciplines/settings.
- Supervising student projects and work-based placements.
- Developing and contributing to multi-disciplinary research programmes.
- Securing funding as a principal investigator and in collaboration with others.
- Supervising PhD students and junior research staff.
- Publication of research outcomes and development of a translational research portfolio.
- Leading curriculum design and development.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
Successful candidates would hold a PhD in biochemistry (or related discipline) and have a proven track record in higher education teaching and research. At this level, candidates would need to demonstrate evidence of published research in internationally-recognised journals and the ability to secure further funding.
Substantial teaching experience at university level, including as a primary supervisor for PhD students, and evidence of academic leadership would also be essential. Membership of a professional organisation such as the Biochemical Society and Fellowship of Advance HE would also be expected.
What’s the pay?
Senior lecturers in biochemistry can expect a starting salary in the range of £56,143 to £65,048 p.a., depending on qualifications, teaching experience and research record.
What can it lead to?
After several years in post as a senior lecturer, you could apply for a professor of biochemistry position. To secure a professorship, candidates would need to have extensive teaching and research experience and a large body of published work.
Where can I find jobs?
The biochemistry industry is thriving in the UK and internationally and the availability of degree programmes in this field has increased. You will find jobs in higher education, research institutes, public bodies (such as the NHS in the UK) and biosciences industries worldwide.
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Reader in Biosciences
Readers are senior academics with distinguished international reputations in research and scholarship. They can be roughly equivalent to a senior lecturer or can rank slightly higher (equal to associate professor), depending on the academic structure of individual higher education institutions.
Readers in biosciences carry out impact-driven research and deliver teaching across biological sciences at all levels.
Duties include:
- Developing and leading individual programmes consistent with the School or Faculty’s research priorities.
- Engaging in translational research in partnership with external sectors, organisations and industry.
- Publishing outcomes of research in high-ranking, peer-reviewed journals and papers.
- Managing and mentoring junior research colleagues and PhD students.
- Securing external research funding.
- Teaching students at all levels across biosciences fields.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A doctorate in a relevant biosciences discipline along with a significant track record of research excellence and publication would be essential for a Reader position. The ability to lead the development and implementation of the School or Faculty’s research strategy would also be essential.
Depending on the role, you may also be asked to have a recognised teaching qualification and/or membership of Advance HE.
What’s the pay?
Readers can expect a starting salary of at least £50,000 to £59,999 p.a., however, Readers in sciences disciplines can command much higher salaries, depending on experience and research profile.
What can it lead to?
After a few years in the role of Reader, you could apply for a professorship or a management role. Promotion would depend on the profile and success of internationally-published research and the quality of your teaching practice.
Where can I find jobs?
These are senior academic opportunities and competition for jobs can be high. The availability of opportunities depends on whether your research interests align with the aims of the university.
Reader roles have the highest permanent percentage out of all of the jobs.ac.uk academic higher education roles (94% compared to 42%), therefore turnover in these roles can be low. They are also advertised for the longest time.
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Professor of Enzymology
Enzymology aims to understand enzymatic structure, function, reactions and activities and is vital to advances in biological and health sciences. Professors of Enzymology are leaders in the field of research and education.
Duties include:
- Leading a programme of internationally-recognised enzymology research.
- Publishing research and presenting at high-profile conferences.
- Providing leadership to a team of lecturers, associate professors and tutors.
- Developing grant proposals and securing research funding.
- Delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across biological sciences.
- Designing specialist enzymology modules and courses.
- Supervision of PhD students and junior researchers.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
Most professors have completed many years in academia, working their way up from lecturer to senior lecturer, visiting professor and Reader before applying for a professorship.
A PhD in enzymology (or a related area) along with a track record of published research activity and collaboration would be essential for a professorship. You would also need to demonstrate leadership and management skills and the ability to enhance the reputation of the institution on the global stage.
Membership and active contribution to a variety of research groups and clusters, professional organisations and global academic communities in biological sciences would also be a must for a professor position.
What’s the pay?
Professor salaries are often agreed upon by negotiation and not disclosed in job adverts. However, professors in enzymology can expect a starting salary of around £65,000 p.a. and upwards, depending on research visibility/success and leadership experience.
What can it lead to?
A professorship is considered the pinnacle of an academic career. However, many professors choose to move into a management role, such as Head of Department or Dean.
The majority of professors also work in advisory/director roles with funding bodies, public sector organisations and in industry.
Where can I find jobs?
Enzymology is a multidisciplinary field incorporating biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and biophysics. It provides an essential foundation in biochemistry degree programmes and specialists who can teach and research across multiple disciplines are in demand, particularly in the rapidly-growing field of computational enzymology. You will find academic jobs in enzymology in Faculties or Schools of Biological Sciences.
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