Chemists investigate the properties, structure, and composition of chemical substances and the transformations they undergo. These scientists may work in basic research for new information in the field of chemistry as well as applied research for the development of new products and methods of making materials.

JOB DUTIES

Chemists may:

Apply scientific principles and methods to measure, identify, and evaluate changes in matter

Conduct research on the relationship between molecular, chemical, and physical properties of substances and compounds

Confer with scientists and engineers regarding the research of solutions to problems

Produce and test samples for quality control

Present and prepare findings of tests or experiments in oral or written reports

Devise new equipment and develop formulas, processes, techniques, and methods for problem solving

Prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, and tests

Administer and manage programs in industrial production

Teach, lecture, and supervise graduate students

Write for technical and professional publications

Maintain accurate records of their work

Click here to view Chemist at work!

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Chemists may specialize in these areas:

022.061-010 CHEMISTS investigate the composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the transformations they undergo.

022.061-010 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS analyze chemical compounds and mixtures to determine their composition. They conduct research to develop or improve techniques, methods, procedures, and the application of instruments to chemical analysis.

022.061-010 ORGANIC CHEMISTS conduct experiments on substances of which the essential element is carbon. These may include agricultural products and foods, dyes, oil, coal, plastics, and other carbon compounds.

022.061-010 INORGANIC CHEMISTS conduct experiments on substances which are free or relatively free of carbon, such as metals, ores, gases, heavy chemicals and products such as glass.

022.061-010 PHYSICAL CHEMISTS are concerned with the physical and mathematical concepts underlying the reactions and physical changes of solid, liquid, and gaseous matter.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:  

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Chemists may work alone, or as members of a team. They may work with other Chemists, engineers, technicians, and other scientists at various stages of research and development. In production operations, they may supervise chemical technicians and other workers. The size of a chemical manufacturing firm is no indication of the number of Chemists employed or the amount of supervision they are required to do. Small firms, interested in developing new products, may employ many Chemists and laboratory technicians. Large firms may employ few.

Chemists usually work in modern, well equipped, well lighted laboratories, offices, or classrooms. Handling potentially explosive and caustic materials is a hazard of this occupation. However, following safety procedures reduces this hazard to a minimum.

The average workweek for Chemists in industry or government is 40 hours, although they may be expected to work overtime or on weekends when required. Those working in academic settings have more variable work schedules. Work-related traveling may be required.

Chemists may belong to such organizations as The American Chemical Society, The American Institute of Chemists, and a wide variety of other professional associations. Members of professional associations must pay periodic membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities utilizing special machines, processes, or methods

• Activities dealing with things and objects

You Should Be Able To:

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Understand and use scientific theories and data

• Use logical step-by-step procedures to complete tasks

• Perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately

• See flat drawings or pictures as three-dimensional objects

• See detail in objects

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Communicate well, both in speech and writing

• Plan, direct & control an entire activity or the activities of others

• See details and recognize errors

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Chemists add the atomic weights of elements to determine the molecular weight of a compound. For example, one molecule of ammonia contains 1 atom of nitrogen and 3 atoms of hydrogen. The total weight of these atoms is the molecular weight of ammonia: 1 nitrogen atom = 14.0067; 3 hydrogen atoms (3 x 1.00797) = 3.0239. What is the molecular weight of ammonia?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

In an ionic bond, valence electrons are transferred from one atom to one or more other atoms. The atom that loses electrons becomes a positive ion. The atoms that gain electrons become negative ions. An electrical force holds the oppositely charged ions together.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Write an article explaining the relationship between the four main kinds of chemical reactions for a professional journal.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

When you are engaging in a chemical experiment, you need to be able to think about many different factors at one time, sometimes making very important decisions in a matter of seconds.

At least a bachelor's degree is required for entry into this occupation. Civil service exams are required for Chemists seeking work in governmental agencies. For teaching positions in colleges and universities, a doctorate is increasingly required.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school); a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 2200 MATH, 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 2900 SCIENCE

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

029 CHEMISTRY

Programs in Chemistry provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment using the science of Chemistry. Chemists generally do research on the properties, composition, and reactions of substances in order to formulate and develop new materials for both industrial and consumer markets. Individuals who teach Chemistry at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

    ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check Military web site at http://www.todaysmilitary.com.

CHEMISTS

The military conducts research in chemistry and biochemistry to develop new materials for military equipment, better medicines, and defenses against biological and chemical agents. Chemists conduct and manage research in chemistry, chemical engineering, and biology.

What They Do

Chemists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Conduct experiments in chemical synthesis, structure, and interactions

• Establish strength and durability standards for materials used to build aircraft, ships, and other equipment

• Test materials to identify defects and determine if they meet minimum military standards

• Conduct chemical research for military and medical uses, such as protecting people from radiation, chemicals, and biological agents

• Oversee research projects under contract to universities and industrial firms

• Prepare technical reports and make research recommendations

Training Provided

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in working with mathematical formulas

• Interest in scientific study and research

Work Environment

Chemists work in laboratories and offices. Although they observe strict safety precautions, chemists may be exposed to hazardous substances.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian chemists usually work in research and development for private industry, primarily in new product development. They also work for government agencies, colleges, and universities. Civilian chemists perform duties similar to those performed by chemists in the military. They sometimes specialize in areas such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, or biochemistry.

Special Requirements

A 4-year degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or biology is required to enter this occupation.

Opportunities

Civilian life scientists work for universities, government agencies, medical laboratories, blood banks, pharmaceutical firms, chemical companies, or in private practice. They perform duties similar to those performed by military life scientists. Depending on their specialty, civilian life scientists may be called biochemists, biologists, entomologists, immunologists, medical technologists, pharmacologists, physiologists, toxicologists, or veterinarians.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Opportunities for experience are few. Class work in chemistry will give you some idea of the work involved. The Department of Agricultureand the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)are two of the federal agencies which participate in the cooperative education program, offering the chance to gain work experience and an income while going to college. College students may obtain summer or part-time work doing testing or research in laboratories of colleges or in chemical, industrial, or agricultural firms. Military service may offer opportunities also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Chemist employer

internships

volunteer work with a Chemist employer

community service work with an agency

Since at least a bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a Chemist, college placement offices and chemistry professors are of great help in finding jobs for chemistry graduates. Applying directly to employers, including civil service offices, and reading wants ads in newspapers and professional journals are some other methods of entry. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Chemists vary according to their education and experience; the responsibilities of the job; and the size, type, and geographic location of the employer. Nationally, Chemists usually earn higher salaries on the West Coast and in the Middle Atlantic states. Typically, Chemists working in industry earn more than those employed in educational institutions.

Nationally, depending on academic records and the employer, recent chemistry graduates were offered the following annual starting salaries, (mid 2009):

Median annual salaries for Chemists (mid 2009) were:  $65,286 with earnings ranging between $60,098 and $77,010. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008.

Annual salaries for Chemists employed by some state or local government agencies in Michigan were (mid 2009):

Laboratory scientists, including Chemists, employed by the State of Michigan earned between $35,934 and $77,757 yearly in mid 2009. Those in supervisory positions earned from $45,497 to $85,879 per year.

Most Chemists receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; pension plans; and sick pay. Some also receive tuition reimbursement for continuing education and stock purchase or savings plans.

Chemists may become research supervisors, college professors or administrators, or advance in business settings in purchasing, production, or sales.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 83,700 Chemists employed in 2006. Employment of Chemists is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016.  The industry distribution for Chemists looked like this:

The chemical industry, the major employer of Chemists, should face continued demand for goods such as new and better pharmaceuticals and personal care products, as well as more specialty chemicals designed to address specific problems or applications. To meet these demands, chemical firms will continue to devote money to research and development -- through in-house teams or outside contractors-spurring employment growth of Chemists.

Within the chemical industry, job opportunities are expected to be most plentiful in pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Pharmaceutical companies in particular are hiring synthetic organic Chemists for drug discovery research. Outside the chemical industry, firms that provide research, development and testing services are expected to be the source of numerous job opportunities through 2016.   

There are approximately 2,300 Chemists employed in Michigan. The majority worked in or near metropolitan areas and large cities. Chemists were employed primarily by manufacturing companies, especially those which manufacture chemical products such as industrial chemicals, plastics and synthetics, drugs and medicines, and paints and varnishes. They were also employed by companies which manufacture metals, machinery, food, and other products. Other Chemists were employed by chemical laboratories; by research institutions; and by federal, state, and local government agencies.

Employment of Chemists in Michigan is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 70 annual job openings is expected, with 10 due to growth and 60 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as Chemists transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Growth in the demand for industrial products, including plastics, man-made fibers, drugs, and fertilizers; and rising concern about pollution control and health care will increase employment opportunities for Chemists. However, the robust recruiting occurring currently on college campuses is tempered by the realization that a downturn in the global economy could case some companies to pull back on hiring plans. The academic job market will continue to increase as retirements, relocations, promotions and department expansions open up slots. 

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016:

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFO RMATION

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