Graduate Chemist Jobs

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Helping you find a career in the chemist industry

A chemist researches and develops the existing field of knowledge concerning chemicals and their uses. This knowledge is then used to improve medicine in the hopes of increasing its effectiveness and the quality of the lives of those who take it. As a chemist, you will be able to specialise in areas such as analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and theoretical, macromolecular, medical, and material chemistry.

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FAQs

FAQs

What does a Chemist do?

Day-to-day, you will:

Perform laboratory testing tasks
Define problems and objectives
Develop approaches to tackling said problem
Analyse results and provide recommendations
Evaluate the chemical and physical properties of various organic and inorganic substances
Proactively develop and maintain technical knowledge in specialised areas
Explore innovative technologies and aim to integrate them into state of the art products
Prepare reports detailing test procedure and results
Stay on top of stock and order in supplies when necessary

What skills and interests should an Chemist have?

Problem solving and critical thinking skills
Speaking, listening and interpersonal skills
Great time management skills
Organisational skills
A keen eye for detail

What hours does a Chemist typically do?

You will usually work 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends.

What environment is a Chemist based in?

Much of your work will take place in a laboratory.

How much does a Chemist travel?

You may be required to travel for fieldwork or to attend meetings and conferences.

How much does a Chemist get paid?

Starting salaries for recent graduate's range between £18,000 to £24,000 per annum. More experienced chemists can earn anywhere between £25,000 and £40,000 per annum, and once you are highly experienced your salary can be anywhere in excess of £50,000.

What qualifications does a Chemist need?

The bare minimum requirement is to have a degree accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Useful subjects to study at school & university

Chemistry
Applied or analytical chemistry
Biochemistry