Becoming a Biochemical Engineer

Biochemical engineers are concerned with all the processes in which biochemicals react with other chemicals, or ferment, to produce a product. Many biochemical engineers are particularly concerned with compounds that have been produced in bulk from genetically engineered biochemicals.

The Job:

Biochemical engineers are employed by designers and producers of biochemical plants and also by those who use processing equipment to manufacture biochemical products.

These include pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturers, food producers, and brewers. Chemical and oil companies, which treat their effluent biochemically, also provide opportunities for these engineers.

Biochemical processes are in many ways similar to those that are designed and operated by chemical engineers, but there are some key differences. The ingredients of biochemical reactions are proteins acted on by enzymes, which produce other proteins by expression. Because the raw materials are biochemical, it is essential that the equipment is sterile at the outset; otherwise different strains of compound will be generated.

These engineers operate a processing plant, often scaling up first to a pilot plant (which produces small quantities of the desired compound) where the best reaction conditions can be determined. Subsequently, the process is transferred to full-scale production.

Often the process includes several stages - the engineer must first manufacture an intermediate biochemical that is then taken as the raw material for the next stage of the process.

The work may include operating plant to its optimum potential, diagnosing faults, and problem solving. Planning production schedules and maintenance are also areas of work in which biochemical engineers may be involved.

Like chemical engineers, it is possible to start a career with a plant contractor, completing the detailed design, supervising the installation of new equipment, and commissioning the process so that it operates to the agreed specification.

Some plants operate 24 hours a day so shift working may be involved. Engineers may supervise the installation of plants around the world, or act as trouble shooters. This often includes advising on problems arising when treating solid, liquid, or gaseous waste, improving the performance of catalysts, or pieces of equipment.

Training Involved:

Training takes at least 4 years. In some countries, this is interspersed with academic study; in others, it tends to be taken after degree studies are completed.

There are two ways of doing the academic study either starting with a first degree in biochemistry followed by engineering training; or starting with a chemical engineering degree, followed by a biochemistry degree. Training includes gaining experience in all areas of chemical engineering. Time will be spent in design departments and process development, where engineers scale up production processes to pilot plant and then full-scale production. Trainees spend periods of time running parts of a production plant and become involved in projects to improve efficiency or introduce new processes.

Introducing new or improved instrumentation and control systems is often a part of this work.

Biochemical plants may sometimes be dangerous, and full training is given in all matters concerned with the health and safety of workers in such environments.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: science and mathematics.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Biochemical Engineer ranges from $48,500 to $107,500 annually, while the median salary for most Biochemical Engineers is $72,500 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

Genetics is a subject that has grown rapidly in importance over the last two decades.

Biochemical engineering, which applies genetics to the production of products, is also growing very rapidly. In the next century, many medicines to alleviate diseases that are genetically caused will be based on genetic materials.

In these circumstances, biochemical engineering can only grow in importance and the demand for biochemical engineers must inevitably increase over the next 10 years. Many small, specialist firms that have been set up specifically to exploit these new technologies will inevitably be taken over by large concerns, and so the industry will be rationalized.

Biochemical engineers have all the skills and knowledge of the chemical engineer, so they are also able to make a career in any field of chemical engineering. This includes the design, production, commissioning, and erection of plants, as well as the management and maintenance of production processes.

For further information, contact professional bodies concerned with biochemical or chemical engineering or biochemistry. Try a pharmaceutical, chemical, and food companies, and trade associations representing such employers.