Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Science and research / 19-1021.00

Biochemists and Biophysicists

Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms.

US jobs
33,830
Median wage
$127,410 a year
Job family
Science and research

Can agents do the work of biochemists and biophysicists?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Science and research: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)

Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.

Evidence: CORE-Bench, declared solved.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 37%Research biological or ecological phenomenaNot measured
  • 12%Develop research plans or methodologiesNot measured
  • 11%Present research or technical informationNot measured
  • 8%Analyze biological or chemical substances or related dataNot measured
  • 6%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
  • 6%Teach academic or vocational subjectsNot measured
  • 5%Prepare proposals or grant applicationsNot measured
  • 5%Set up equipmentNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in science and research, not always this occupation's tasks.

Direct evidence

Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.

  • CORE-Benchby Princeton UniversityTask level · CORE-Bench-Hard accuracy (public test set)
    95.5%Claude Code + Claude Opus 4.5 (after manual regrading) · 3 Dec 2025
    Solved

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Share research findings by writing scientific articles or by making presentations at scientific conferences.
  • Teach or advise undergraduate or graduate students or supervise their research.
  • Study physical principles of living cells or organisms and their electrical or mechanical energy, applying methods and knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, or biology.
  • Manage laboratory teams or monitor the quality of a team's work.
  • Develop new methods to study the mechanisms of biological processes.
  • Write grant proposals to obtain funding for research.
  • Design or perform experiments with equipment, such as lasers, accelerators, or mass spectrometers.
  • Determine the three-dimensional structure of biological macromolecules.
  • Design or build laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
  • Prepare reports or recommendations, based upon research outcomes.
  • Study spatial configurations of submicroscopic molecules, such as proteins, using x-rays or electron microscopes.
  • Study the chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, or living energy changes, such as growth, aging, or death.
Other job titles for this occupation (26)

Analytical Research Chemist · Biochemist · Biophysics Researcher · Scientist · Biochemistry Scientist · Biological Chemist · Biophysicist · Chemist · Chemistry Scientist · Clinical Biochemist · Clinical Laboratory Scientist · Clinical Researcher · Forensic Toxicologist · Formulation Scientist · Molecular Biologist · Pharmaceutical Scientist · Physical Biochemist · Postdoctoral Associate (Postdoc Associate) · Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc Research Associate) · Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc Researcher) · Postdoctoral Scholar (Postdoc Scholar) · Protein Biochemist · Protein Biochemistry Scientist · R&D Scientist (Research and Development Scientist) · Research Biochemist · Toxicologist