---
title: "Biomedical scientist"
chunk: 3/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomedical_scientist"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:47:20.895269+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

Biochemistry: studies the chemical composition of cells, and in serum/plasma, and the chemistry behind biological processes
Molecular biology: studies the molecular makeup and processes of living organisms
Biophysics: studies mechanical and electrical energy in living cells and tissues
Cell biology: studies cell-level organization and processes
Cytopathology: Studies cell obtained by different means from human and sometimes animal bodies, using microscope and recent technologies to evaluate morphology, molecular pathology changes by molecular diagnostics. Also cytopathology involves cancer screening such cervical, breast, colon and prostate cancers.
Computational biology and Bioinformatics: uses computer modeling and data analysis to understand biological systems
Developmental biology: studies the growth and development of organisms and focuses on diseases of abnormal development
Epidemiology: studies the incidence and transmission of diseases in a population and population characteristics (behaviors, environment, etc.) that associate with diseases
Genetics: studies DNA and genes of humans and animals, as well as diseases caused by abnormal or mutated DNA.
Haematology: studies of the blood, such as blood cells, and mechanisms of coagulation.
Blood transfusion: studies of transfusion science (although frequently linked to haematology, it is however a specialist discipline in its own right).
Histopathology: Studies tissues for disease diagnosis, using histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical analysis or molecular genetic techniques for diagnostics.
Immunology: studies the immune system
Microbiology: studies characteristics of microorganisms such as bacteria and their role in human health
Neuroscience: studies on function and structure the nervous system, including the brain
Oncology (a.k.a. cancer biology): studies the causes and characteristics of cancer
Parasitology: studies parasites
Pathology: studies the underlying causes and bodily effects of disease through examination of organs, tissues, and cells
Pharmacology: studies effects of drugs on biological systems
Physiology: studies how various body systems function at macroscopic, microscopic and molecular levels
Virology: studies viruses and viral diseases
Medicinal chemistry: studies compound for medicinal usage
Toxicology
However, recent trends in biomedical graduate education (particularly in the United States) are for biomedical scientists to remain interdisciplinary and to not specialize. This approach emphasizes focus on a particular body or disease process as a whole and drawing upon the techniques of multiple specialties.

== Salaries and job growth ==

=== United Kingdom ===
In the United Kingdom, the salaries for biomedical scientists range from £28,407 (Band 5) to £81,138 (Band 8c)  plus high cost area supplements and out of hours payments, depending on experience, education, and position. Entry-level biomedical scientists start at Band 5, specialist biomedical scientists at Band 6, senior biomedical scientists at Band 7, lead biomedical scientists/laboratory managers at Band 8a, deputy general managers at Band 8b and general managers at Band 8c. Job growth for the profession has been forecasted as follows:

=== United States ===
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2010-2011 occupational outlook report suggests that biomedical scientist employment is expected "to increase 40 percent over the 2008-18 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations."
According to the 2010 BLS report, the median salaries for biomedical scientists in the United States in particular employment areas are:

These figures include the salaries of post-doctoral fellows, which are paid significantly less than employees in more permanent positions.

== See also ==
MD-PhD
Biomedical research: basic research or applied research conducted to aid the body of knowledge in the field of medicine
Medicine: a branch of the health sciences concerned with maintaining or restoring human health
Research: a  process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting, and revising facts
Scientist: an expert in at least one area of science who uses the scientific method to do research
Animal testing: the use of animals in experiments
Biology: the study of life
Nurse scientist
Clinical laboratory scientist
Health profession: profession in which a person exercises skill or provides a health-related service
Human experimentation: medical experiments performed on human beings
Medical Research Council (UK)
Society of Biology
United States National Academy of Sciences

== References ==

== External links ==
UK Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
Resources at Prospects
Resources at Health Careers
Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS)  Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Science (HUCBMS)