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Chemists Occupation Detailed Description

Chemists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Chemists

The main tasks and work activities of Chemists are to analyze chemical compounds or substances, develop new or advanced products or production methods, collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists, supervise scientific or technical personnel. In general, for the Chemists, science, critical Thinking, reading Comprehension, mathematics and other 16 skills are required.
Chemists Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Chemists jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4.38%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
95.62%

Tasks and Work Activities of Chemists

  • 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.
  • Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods.
  • 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.
  • Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
  • Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
  • Develop new or advanced products or production methods.
  • Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
  • Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures.
  • Research methods to improve food products.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.
  • Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
  • Test quality of materials or finished products.
  • Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Manage scientific or technical project resources.

Skills and Abilities for Chemists

  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Hot air blowerse.g. Air dryers
  • Distillation pipings or columns or fittingse.g. Airfree/waterfree solvent purification systems
  • Spirit burnerse.g. Alcohol lamps
  • Analytical balancese.g. Analytical balances
  • Vacuum ovense.g. Annealing ovens
  • Atomic absorption AA spectrometerse.g. Atomic absorption AA spectrometers
  • Hematology or chemistry mixerse.g. Automatic peptide synthesizers
  • Titration equipmente.g. Autotitrators
  • Laboratory beakerse.g. Beakers
  • Freezedryers or lyophilzerse.g. Benchtop lyophilizers
  • Laboratory box furnacese.g. Box furnace ovens
  • Gas burnerse.g. Bunsen burners
  • Laboratory buretse.g. Burets
  • Instrumentation for capillary electrophoresise.g. Capillary electrophoresis systems
  • Chemistry analyzerse.g. Carbon hydrogen nitrogen CHN elemental analyzers
  • Vacuum or centrifugal concentratorse.g. Centrifugal evaporator concentrators
  • Benchtop centrifugese.g. Chemical centrifuges
  • Laboratory chillerse.g. Closed cycle refrigerators
  • Laboratory evaporatorse.g. Cold trap evaporators
  • High vacuum combustion apparatuse.g. Combustion furnaces
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.