A biochemical engineer is responsible for the development of new chemical products that can be used by a multitude of companies and individuals.
In fact, most of the products that we come into contact with on an everyday basis are developed through the biochemical engineering process!
These products stretch across every aspect of society, such as:
– agricultural chemicals used to treat and develop foods for public consumption
– petroleum-based products, such as oils, plastics, paints, or other resins
– fibrous products, such as papers or textiles
– cleaning products such as detergents, soaps, perfumes, and cosmetics
Biochemical engineering includes researching, developing, documenting, and producing products that are derived from a combination of organic and lab-made materials that can benefit people and society at large.
Biochemical engineers conduct studies on cells, proteins, viruses, or other biological substances to determine optimal conditions for growth or inhibitors that can stop or kill. They develop and conduct experiments to observe interactions of raw materials with each other and in specific environments. And they develop processes for building new compounds from these materials that can be mass-produced for the general public’s use.
Biochemical engineers work with others in process and product development. They work with research personnel and manufacturing personnel to prepare information about products that are developed (safety sheets, manuals, operating procedures, and directions). They also need to work with fellow chemists, biologists, and engineers to develop new technologies and products so as to continue innovation.
Biochemical engineers make sure that the results of any research, experiments, and collaborations are properly captured and documented. Continued experiments help to determine what does and does not work with various materials, and reviewing past results can enable engineers to determine new methods to attempt in the future. Ideally, they will keep databases that house report data from past experiments.
In addition to maintaining data repositories that allow for analysis of the various compounds worked with and the resultant effects, engineers can use previous data to outline possible future models.
They can alter certain variables, such as quantity of ingredients, exposure to different temperatures and environments, and order of ingredient addition. They can simulate the potential results on computers to determine if there is adequate compound development. If the engineer can see adequate progress in a computer simulation, they can then proceed with a live experiment, simulating the same conditions to see if the theories hold well in practical application.
Once hired, recent graduates will usually work with experienced biochemical engineers and will receive formal seminar training from their new employer. As a new engineer is able to gain experience, they will be assigned more complex projects to develop new designs, solve complex problems, and make decisions that are in line with a company’s overall goals and objectives.
The most common everyday work environment for the entry-level employee in this field is a laboratory or manufacturing plant floor. Often, the engineer is working with hazardous chemicals or materials that require extra care and attention to ensure a safe work environment and safely developed products. However, in some senior positions, the office can more resemble a white-collar office environment.
A person working as a Biochemical Engineer in Kenya typically earns around KSH124,000 per month. Salaries range from KSH60,700 (lowest) to KSH193,000 (highest).
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers are expected to see employment growth because of increasing technologies and their applications to medical equipment and devices. Smartphone technology and three-dimensional printing are examples of technology being applied to biomedical advances.
As the baby-boom generation lives longer and stays active, the demand for bioengineers and biomedical devices and procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, is expected to increase. In addition, as the public awareness of medical advances continues, increasing numbers of people will seek biomedical solutions to their health problems from their physicians.
From an educational standpoint, those wanting to work in this field need to graduate with a degree in biochemical engineering. A degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, or a combination thereof is also acceptable.
This educational resume can serve as a springboard not just for this field, but also for environmental management, medicine, applied mathematics, or other scientific research fields.
