What You'll Do

  • Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
  • Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
  • Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
  • Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
  • Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
  • Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
  • Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
  • Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
  • Conduct quality control tests.

Essential Skills

Science 4.12/5
Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Active Listening 3.75/5
Writing 3.75/5
Mathematics 3.75/5
Active Learning 3.62/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.5/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Integrity, Independence, Dependability

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Accelrys Cerius2 Accelrys DeCipher Advanced Chemistry Development ACD/1D nuclear magnetic resonance NMR processor Agilent ChemStation Apple iWork Apple iWork Keynote Apple iWork Numbers Apple iWork Pages Bruker BioSpin TopSpin C C++ CambridgeSoft ChemOffice Ultra Chem2Pac Chemical kinetics software ChemInnovation Software Chem 4-D ChemSW Buffer Maker ChemSW Calibration Pro ChemSW Chemical Inventory System CIS ChemSW Laboratory Document Control System LDCS ChemSW Mass Spec Tools

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.58/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.41/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.37/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.3/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Agricultural Chemist Air Quality Chemist Analytical Chemist Analytical Scientist Assay Development Scientist Astrochemist Bench Chemist Bench Scientist Ceramic Chemist Cereal Chemist Chemical Analyst Chemical Lab Scientist (Chemical Laboratory Scientist) Chemist Chemistry Scientist Coal Chemist Control Chemist Cosmetic Chemist Dairy Chemist Electrochemist Environmental Field Chemist Field Chemist Food Chemist Food Processing Chemist Forensic Chemist Formulary Chemist Formulation Chemist Formulation Scientist Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Analyst (GCMS Analyst) Industrial Chemist Inorganic Chemist Lab Chemist (Laboratory Chemist) Lab Pack Chemist (Laboratory Pack Chemist) Medical Chemist Metal Analyst Mix Chemist Nuclear Chemist Nutritional Chemist Oil Expert Organic Chemist Patent Chemist Pesticide Chemist Pharmaceutical Analyst Pharmaceutical Chemist Pharmaceutical Scientist Physical Chemist Physiological Chemist Process Chemist Process Development Scientist Product Development Chemist Production Chemist QC Chemist (Quality Control Chemist) QC Scientist (Quality Control Scientist) R and D Chemist (Research and Development Chemist) Research Chemist Research Scientist Rubber Chemist Sanitary Chemist Scientist Soil Chemist Textile Chemist Water Chemist Wet Chemistry Analyst