Chemist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a chemist. Feel free to use our chemist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a chemist.
Who is a Chemist?
A chemist is a scientist that specializes in researching chemical substances, carrying out experiments with the properties of chemical substances, and bringing out the result. He or she also measures the overall effect of chemical compounds in various situations and studies inter-chemical reactions.
A chemist can also be someone who investigates the properties of matter at the level of atoms and molecules. Chemists used different analytical techniques and instrumentation including chromatography and spectroscopy. To be a chemist is highly lucrative because almost all industries are from the research that is being carried out by chemists worldwide. The role of a chemist is to primarily work with a large team to create much-needed compounds for use in a wide variety of practical applications. A chemist also works very hard to improve the standard of chemical products and take advantage of advanced computer programs to establish new technologies in the field. In the field of chemistry, all chemists are mandated to work with simple forms of matter to gain a greater understanding of the chemical, discover the elements of unfamiliar substances, and create for use in a variety of applications.
The work environment of a chemist is very busy because a chemist works indoors in a laboratory. The environments where chemists work must be very conducive to carrying out research. They work with different kinds of scientific equipment such as spectrometers which allows them to examine and assess chemicals and compounds at a microscopic level. Chemists typically maintain a proper work schedule and are largely self-managed during the workday due to the unpredictable nature of their job. Chemists work as part of a research team, so they also can work with others towards a common goal. Chemists often have a discipline they work particularly such as Forensic chemists, organic chemists, physical chemists, and medicinal chemists.
Chemists specialize in one of the following:
- Biochemistry
- Neurochemistry
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Theoretical Chemistry
Biochemist
This area of specialty primarily works with those chemicals and reactions that occur in living organisms. They are also called biological chemist and their research cover areas like biomedical research.
Biochemists that work in basic research may sometimes study the genetic mutation in living organisms which can lead to cancer and other diseases. Some biochemists may conduct further research on the evolution of plants and animals to discover how genetic traits are carried from one filial generation to another.
They also conduct researches that cover experiment on organic matter on a cellular level to produce advanced technologies in genetic engineering, pharmaceutical drugs DNA therapy, and agricultural products.
Biochemists have contributed tremendously to making our lives better on this planet because they research to develop products that improve our lives. A good illustration is pharmaceutical biochemists that test drugs that can be used to treat diseases. They also develop medications used to treat cancer and other health disorder.
Neurochemistry
This is the merging of neuroscience and chemistry. It is the study of neurochemicals; the system that allows the brain to function with the use of chemicals. These neurotransmitters are very paramount to moving information around the brain. People’s brain chemistry varies and so does the level of neurotransmitters in each human brain. The level of neurotransmitters affect the way an individual brain function and that’s why there is an outbreak of behavioral disorders Luc like medications, alcohol, and drugs that can influence the levels of neurotransmitters and their receptors in the human brain. Sometimes the effect can be long-lasting.
A neurochemist is someone who specializes in the area of neurochemicals and researches to understand the biochemistry and molecular biology of organic compounds in the nervous system. They mostly work in research base centers where they carry out research on the human brain to comprehend human thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Nuclear Chemist
This is another discipline of chemistry that specializes in radioactivity and other properties and processes of nuclear matter. Nuclear chemists study the effect of radiation on living organisms to create medical solutions to the negative effect of radiation. They also contribute to the development of new technologies to counterfeit radioactive power,
A Nuclear chemist working in a telecommunication mast may study the chemical compound that allows for the safest storage of radioactive material or investigate the new and more effective methods of extracting nuclear power.
Theoretical Chemist
As the name implies, theoretical chemists implement scientific ideas and theories in an attempt to justify chemical reactions. Scientists in this discipline work with advanced subjects like quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, statistical thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics to build on solid theories which can be applied in industrial, medical, and nuclear applications. The theories they formulate develop modern theories like DNA analysis, advanced medical treatments, and new alternative fuels.
Chemist Job Description
Below are the chemist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a chemist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a chemist include the following:
- Formulate or synthesize new substances
- Evaluate substances and formulate new data
- Conduct research in the laboratory to develop and enhance both new and old products
- Create models and test the predictive power of theories
- Develop formulations in the lab
- Evaluate basic properties of matter to ascertain how it can be utilized
- Carry out quality control tests to determine the standard of a product
- Measure the physical properties of substances
- Evaluate compounds to ascertain their composition, structure, relationship, and reactions
- Introduce chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis
- Communicating effectively with customers to discover what they want in a product
- Test material for quality and performance then report the results
- Assist in solving quality issues and difficulty in manufacturing issues
- Develop new products and enhance exciting products to meet up with market demands
- Write technical papers or reports
- Prepare standards and specifications for processes and products
- Partner with other scientists or engineers to analyze research projects
- Interpret test results or develop non-standard test
- Evaluate laboratory safety procedures
- Follow the standards in production and make improvements when necessary
- Prepare test solutions and compounds for laboratory testing
- Communicate with suppliers to determine what product they can offer
- Supervise and direct personnel in test procedures
- Conduct research on the implication of the new discovered chemical properties
- Write technical papers or reports
- Maintain laboratory safety equipment
Qualifications
- A Bachelor Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Master’s and a D. degree in Chemistry
- Effective communication and writing skill
- Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team
- Technically and computer skilled
- Adhere to safety procedures regarding health and safety
- Ability to interpret data
- Knowledge of mathematics, physics, and biology
Essential Skills
There are some salient skills that chemists need to perform their duties efficiently; chemists can either be born with these special abilities or acquire them by experience and they are:
- Communication Skill: a chemist must have the requisite communication and interpersonal skills to function well on the job scene. Communication is highly integral because a chemist will not work alone but with another team of experts to analyze substances and come up with the result.
- Writing Skill: after conducting research, a chemist is expected to write a report about his or her findings. A chemist must draft the report as appropriate because it may be used for other future research.
- Time Management skills; excellent time management skills will help you meet up with deadlines. In the field, chemists may be required to carry out timely research. A chemist must work very hard to meet up with the time-bound of research.
- Problem-solving skills: As a chemist, it is your responsibility to identify problems and come up with possible solutions to these challenges. To come up with solutions, you have to evaluate the problem and predict the solution to it.
- Analytical and Critical thinking skills: a chemist must be highly analytical when performing his responsibilities. For instance, a chemist working as a quality control manager of a firm must make sure that the products produced meet up to standard standardization chemist must analyze a lot of data.
- Organizational Skills: Organizational skills are highly paramount because it is needed to track-down data and also document all the processes and results for implementation. Chemistry requires processes and a chemist must be highly organized to follow the processes step by step.
- Mathematical Skills: chemists need a basic knowledge of mathematical principles to solve equations and comprehend the data they collect.
- Teamwork: Working in a laboratory requires a group of chemists to work together to come up with amazing results from the research they conducted
- Attention to detail: chemists need to be able to evaluate information and record details and observations.
How to Become a Chemist
To become a chemist you may need to follow the following processes highlighted below:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry
An individual who is considering being a chemist must enroll for a four-year bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the university. Courses like organic and physical chemistry are courses you will be taught. In the course of the degree, it is also mandated for a chemist to enroll in an industrial attachment to gain overall working experience.
- Pursue a Post-graduate Studies in Chemistry
If you want to be a professional chemist, you may need a master’s degree in your chosen field. Most people acquire a master’s degree in the same discipline but you can switch to other aspects of chemistry such as forensic chemistry. When you enroll for your master’s degree; you can choose to do a thesis or non-thesis route. This solely depends on what you want to do after your master’s degree; if you want to work in a practical field, you do not need a complete thesis. However, if you want to be a researcher or work in education; you may need a thesis and also to enable you to enroll for your Ph.D.
- Enroll for Internship to gain work Experience
Gaining experience as a chemist is very important to launch your professional career. During your undergraduate days; you can take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way to gain the requisite experience working in a laboratory setting. For instance, there may be an internship you can apply for while attending college or after graduation. You can ask friends or any of your mentors about any internship placement for a chemist. Having these experiences can help you get a good job and also give you an edge over your friends and colleagues.
- Draft your Resume
Draft your resume and include the following; working experience, education, and skills, and start applying for work. Make your resume very attractive and look out for open positions for chemists around you.
Where can a Chemist Work?
- Academic institutions
- Pharmaceutical industries
- Chemical industries
- Government laboratories
- Companies
- Law enforcement
- Oil and Gas sector
Chemist Salary Scale
A chemist’s salary varies based on the level of education, experience, geographical location, and other factors. The annual salary of $74,470 is the salary of a chemist in the United States.
The salary scale of a chemist depends on the area of specialty the chemist chooses to specialize in. below are some salaries of some chemistry specialization.
- Analytical Chemist: Analytical chemist earns $64,010 per year. He is saddled with the responsibility of conducting research, developing processes, and designing instruments for scientific use.
- Chemical Engineer: A chemical engineer earns $64,706 per year. This kind of utilizes their knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and other disciplines to come up with processes involved in using chemical compounds.
- Forensic Scientist: Forensic scientist investigates crime scenes that they can use to gather reports. They also collect physical evidence and use it in the laboratory. They earn an average salary of $64,932 per year.
- Environmental Scientist: They earn an average salary of $72,378 per year. Environmental scientists conduct research and gather data to identify environmental hazards.
- Research Chemist: This kind of specialty earns about $83,152 per year. Research chemists research chemical compounds to enhance the standards of products.
- Pharmacologist: This group of chemists earns an average salary of $112,299 per year. They make research and test medications and chemical compounds.
- In Nigeria, the person working as a chemist earns 640,000NGn per month. Salaries range from 314,000NGN to 999,000NGN. The average salary includes housing, transport, and other benefits. The average salary of a chemist is 150,000NGN in Lagos.