Biochemistry and laboratory biosciences

Biochemistry, and closely related biosciences, refer to fields studying especially humans and other organisms with the help of laboratory sciences. Such fields include biophysics, biotechnology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology and cell biology. Some of these sciences are compiled under biology in statistics, which shows that the line between the sciences is not clear. Biochemists and laboratory bioscientists find employment particularly in the pharmaceutical and bioindustries, research and health care as well as in commercial tasks.

Biochemistry and closely related laboratory sciences are studied in Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Tampere, the University of Oulu, the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. Approximately 160 biochemists graduate annually (other closely related fields are found under biology in statistics). Approximately 200 biologists graduate annually.

Sources of employment and examples of employers

    • Bayer
    • Orion
    • Janssen
    • Pfizer
    • MedEngine
    • Medfiles
    • Medaffcon
    • Agilent Technologies
    • Roche
    • PerkinElmer
    • Thermo Fisher Scientific
    • Bio-Rad Laboratories
    • Biogen
    • Qiagen
    • AB Enzymes Oy
    • Hytest
    • Reagena
    • Roal
    • Altia
    • Fazer
    • Valio
    • GlaxoSmithKline Customer Healthcare
    • Berner
    • Roche
    • THL
    • VTT
    • Evira
    • Fimea
    • Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM
    • Valvira
    • Ilmatieteenlaitos
    • Kemikaalivirasto
    • erikoissairaanhoidon palvelut: HUSLAB, TYKSLAB, ISLAB…
    • Fimlab Laboratoriot
    • Blueprint Genetics
    • Biopankit
    • Aalto yliopisto
    • Helsingin yliopisto
    • Itä-Suomen yliopisto
    • Jyväskylän yliopisto
    • Oulun yliopisto
    • Tampereen yliopisto
    • Turun yliopisto
    • Åbo Akademi

Phenomena in the field

  • doctoral degrees
  • reduction in domestic research activities
  • commercial skills need in the pharmaceutical and bio fields
  • growth of operations serving the pharmaceutical industry
  • medicinal product development in start-ups
  • biostatistics and data competence
  • need of fluent Finnish language skills in most of the industry and public sector jobs

Bioscientists’ titles in Finnish job market

 Employment and career opportunities

  • There are 1,900 biochemists and approximately 4,000 biologists currently in the labour market.
  • There are slightly more than 100 unemployed jobseekers, so the unemployment rate is 5.5%.
  • The number of doctoral graduates in the labour market is 650, of which approximately 40 are unemployed. The unemployment rate of doctors has increased during the last year, being approximately 6%.

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