ADD ADVICE TO FAVChemist
Chemists work mostly for chemical companies, including those in the pharmaceutical, oil, photographic, paints, polymers and plastics industries, and in some government laboratories.
What chemists do
- plan and carry out the synthesis of new chemicals
- design methods for making bulk quantities of chemicals
- attempt to optimise the yields of reactions
- explore ways of improving existing products and processes
- obtain the most economical and feasible routes to make products
- use practical procedures to obtain very pure chemicals
- analyse the products of reactions
- keep up to date with the scientific literature relating to their area of specialism.
Key skills
- competent practical skills
- ability to plan carefully
- ability to solve problems
- numerical and written skills.
Training to be a chemist
Training is normally on the job, although a postgraduate degree can serve the same purpose.
It is sometimes possible to study for a postgraduate qualification while in employment, and some companies offer specific commercial training courses in areas such as management skills.
The Royal Society of Chemistry has a professional development programme that leads to chartered status.
Salaries
First degree chemists would normally start on about £18,000 to £25,000. A PhD would add about £2,000 to this figure, though some employers are known to offer substantially more, both to graduates and postgraduates.
Salaries rise to above £45,000 for highly experienced staff, though more would be paid for those assuming senior management responsibilities.
