Biophysicist
Snapshot
Biophysicists study the existing relation between living organisms and physics. They conduct research on living organisms based on the methods of physics that aim to explain the complexity of life, predict patterns, and draw conclusions about aspects of life. Biophysicists' research fields cover DNA, proteins, molecules, cells, and environments.
Biophysicists are researchers who investigate the relationship between living organisms and physics. Your days will likely involve designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data using advanced computational tools, and interpreting results to develop new theories and models. You might be working with DNA, proteins, cells, or entire ecosystems, seeking to explain complex biological processes through a physical lens. This role often requires collaboration with other scientists and engineers, and a commitment to rigorous scientific methodology.
- • Designing and executing experiments to test hypotheses about biological systems.
- • Analyzing large datasets using statistical and computational methods.
- • Developing and applying physical models to understand biological phenomena.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Ireland, Italy, Slovenia.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person's chances. It describes a market.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could biophysicist fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Persistence?
Future Outlook for biophysicist
The outlook for biophysicist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could biophysicist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- interact professionally in research and professional environments
- evaluate research activities
- manage intellectual property rights
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- conduct research on flora
- analyse experimental laboratory data
- conduct research on fauna
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
- synthesise information
- apply for research funding
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Agriculture
A typical day as a biophysicist
09 09:00 · Morning examine cell specimens microscopically
10 10:30 · Mid-morning analyse cell cultures
12 12:00 · Midday analyse experimental laboratory data
14 14:00 · Afternoon conduct research on fauna
15 15:30 · Late afternoon conduct research on flora
17 17:00 · Wrap-up manage intellectual property rights
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data
Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
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promote open innovation in research
Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.
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integrate gender dimension in research
Take into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).
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conduct research across disciplines
Work and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.
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promote the participation of citizens in scientific and research activities
Engage citizens in scientific and research activities and promote their contribution in terms of knowledge, time or resources invested.
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draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation
Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.
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disseminate results to the scientific community
Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.
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publish academic research
Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
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write scientific publications
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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conduct research on flora
Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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analyse experimental laboratory data
Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
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conduct research on fauna
Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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perform laboratory tests
Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
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examine cell specimens microscopically
Prepare and put the cell specimens received for examination on slides, stain and mark cellular changes and abnormalities.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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synthesise information
Critically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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interact professionally in research and professional environments
Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.
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operate open source software
Operate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.
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speak different languages
Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
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analyse cell cultures
Analyse cell cultures grown from tissue samples, performing also screening of the cervical smear to detect fertility issues.
genomics
The field of study in relation to whole genomes of organisms, as well as their genetic or epigenetic sequence of information. It aims to provide knowledge about the downstream of biological products and the analysis of the structure and function of these sequences through employing recombinant DNA and bioinformatics approaches.
proteomics
The study of proteomes (i.e., the complements of proteins within cells, tissues or organisms), and their interactions and behaviours, under specific conditions.
spectroscopy
The scientific field that focuses on investigating and measuring spectra that are produced through electromagnetic radiation either in the form of materials interaction with radiations or their emission.
stem cells
The biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.
alternative fuels
Fuels or power sources that serve, at least partly, as a substitute in the traditional energy supply to transport such as oil and fossil sources. They have the potential to contribute to decarbonisation efforts and enhance the environmental performance of the economy and transport sector.
- biology
- life sciences
- multidisciplinary research
- physics
- scientific literature
- scientific research methodology
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What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
Real programmes leading to this occupation, by country.
Structured Ph.D. (Science)
Teacher Education in Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Biology
Biology
Master's programme in Nanoscience
Degree Programme in Engineering Physics
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does biophysicist fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of physics principles do biophysicists typically use?
- Biophysicists draw on a wide range of physics principles, including thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, fluid dynamics, and optics. These are applied to understand processes like protein folding, molecular transport, cellular mechanics, and the dynamics of populations.
- What’s the typical career path for a biophysicist, and what level of leadership is expected at Career Band 5?
- Entry-level biophysicists often start as research assistants or postdoctoral fellows. Advancement typically involves securing a faculty position at a university or leading research projects within a company or government laboratory. At Career Band 5, you would be expected to lead and strategize research initiatives, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to the overall direction of a research group or department.
- Are there specific software or computational skills essential for a biophysicist?
- Strong computational skills are crucial. Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R is highly desirable, as is experience with molecular dynamics simulation software, image analysis tools, and statistical modeling packages. Familiarity with data visualization techniques is also important.
- How much does Biophysicist pay in the United States?
- $103,650 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $48,510 to $157,390. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated September 20, 2026 About our data