Chemist

Job overview
Chemists work in laboratories where they are involved either in the analysis, of compounds -pharmaceuticals, plastics, minerals, alloys etc, - or synthesis, i.e. ?the making of new compounds.

Their analytical skills will be brought into play in determining the purity of compounds for example in the food, mining, plastics, paint and pharmaceutical industries.

Their synthesising abilities will be employed in creating new compounds? (molecules?) ?to combat diseases in humans, animals and plants, as well as new materials for use in the latest technological developments e.g. ?computer hardware, protective clothing, or heatproof cladding of aircraft etc.

Top-flight managers in the production industries will often have a chemical degree or diploma.

What do people do in this job?
Chemists can specialise in the following fields:?

• Organic chemists study the reactions of carbon compounds and the production of new compounds.
• Inorganic chemist chemists study the reactions of compounds not formed by carbon.
• Physical chemists investigate the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions.
• Analytical chemists determine which substances are present in a sample and in what quantities.

They also develop new methods of analysis.

• Theoretical chemists attempt to refine existing theories and develop new ones
• Biochemists study the chemical reactions in living materials.
• Industrial chemists apply their chemical knowledge to the manufacturing of essential products in everyday life.
• Teaching. ?Many chemists work as teachers and lecturers in primary, secondary and tertiary education.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Chemists will normally be interested in the development of new products and/ or technologies.

They need to update their knowledge of new developments constantly.

What qualifications are needed?
A BSc degree with majors in chemistry is a basic requirement, but for most careers in chemistry involving specialisation, a postgraduate qualification in a particular field will be looked for.

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