Crossword Genius

Scientist's reconstructed symbiotic phase pays off (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

biochemist

'scientist's' is the definition.
(biochemist is a kind of scientist)

'reconstructed symbiotic phase pays off' is the wordplay.
'reconstructed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'off' indicates named letters should be taken away (some letters taken off).
'symbiotic'+'phase'='symbioticphase'
'symbioticphase' with 'pays' taken away is 'mbiotichse'.
'mbiotichse' with letters rearranged gives 'BIOCHEMIST'.

(Another definition for biochemist that I've seen is " Scientist".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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