5 Top Careers in Biomedical Science

5 Great Biomedical Science Careers

  • Biomedical Toxicologist
  • Medical Scientist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Medical and Laboratory Technician
  • Forensic Scientist

Careers in biomedical science are found at the intersection of medicine, biology and health. There are a number of lucrative and rewarding careers in this field.

1. Biomedical Toxicologist

Biomedical toxicology is a career in biomedical science that focuses on the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the environment. Toxicologists may need a master’s or a doctorate degree and they may specialize in specific environments. For example, they might look at how certain chemicals affect water sources or how they affect the immune system. They perform experiments and may work on research projects with other scientists. They may work in academia, for pharmaceutical companies, for the government or in a variety of other settings.

2. Medical Scientist

Medical scientists may conduct clinical trials on human diseases, medical devices or drugs with the overall aim of improving human health. Their duties may range from writing grants to get funding to designing and performing experiments to analyzing data, developing wellness programs and more. They should have strong communication, analysis and critical thinking skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for medical scientists is expected to be faster than average in the years ahead.

3. Biomedical Engineer

A career in biomedical engineering combines engineering with medical science. Biomedical engineers create software and computer systems, medical devices and other equipment used in medicine, such as artificial organs, prosthetics and diagnostic equipment. Biomedical engineers may specialize in certain areas. These might include bioinstrumentation, which focuses on developing equipment for treatment and diagnosis of diseases; systems physiology, which focuses on the relationship between living organisms and systems; and biomaterials, which deals with materials for implantation or in medical devices.

4. Medical and Laboratory Technician

This can be an excellent career path for people who want a career in biomedical science but do not necessarily want to pursue a degree beyond a bachelor’s. Medical and laboratory technicians take samples and perform tests on tissue, blood and other parts of the body to diagnose diseases. They may specialize in certain areas, such as working on cell samples, looking at the immune system or focusing on bacteria. Specializations may require an advanced degree or several years of job experience.

5. Forensic Scientist

This is another career in biomedical science that may not require a degree beyond a bachelor’s degree. Forensic scientists work in law enforcement to collect and analyze samples from crime scenes. This could include DNA, blood and other bodily fluids. Some forensic scientists specialize in one of these areas. They might work at crime scenes or in a laboratory. The highest salaries tend to be for forensic scientists who work in testing laboratories. The field of forensic science is a small one, but it is expected to grow at a fast rate in the years ahead.

From working with computers or cell samples to designing diagnostic devices and more, biomedical science is a varied field. The career field of biomedical science is likely to continue expanding and offering new opportunities in the years ahead.

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