The most important part of all Ph.D. training is an extensive original research project leading to significant new scientific findings. This work is presented in a formal thesis written by the student and usually published as articles in scientific journals. Most students work under the direction of a faculty member on a project of mutual interest in the faculty member's area of expertise. The research project is vital because it is designed to help the Ph.D. candidate develop the ability to frame scientific questions and discover ways to answer them, as well as to teach the laboratory skills needed to tackle a wide range of other biochemical problems. Earning a Ph.D. means that you know how to conduct important research in biochemistry or molecular biology with little or no guidance from others.
Most students complete a Ph.D. in four to six years.
Even after earning the highest degree, a scientist never stops learning, especially in biochemistry and molecular biology, where the field is always changing with major advances in knowledge and frequent breakthroughs in technology. Most Ph.Ds. obtain further research experience doing postdoctoral research before they take permanent jobs. Usually, this scientist is at a different institution than the one where the student's Ph.D. work was completed. The typical postdoctoral period is two to three years. Postdoctoral research is not essential for many industrial research jobs, but it is generally expected of persons who wish to become professors.