Careers in chemistry

Careers in ChemistryJobs and Opportunties for Chemists

Biochemists• Study chemical processes and chemical

transformations in living organisms.• This includes biological process, the effects of

chemicals to living organisms, food, and drugs.• They could be researchers in biotechnology

laboratories. They could also work in the medical field, food and drug industry, agriculture and for health agencies.

Biochemists

Analytical Chemists• Analytical chemists typically use a diverse

range of methods to investigate the chemical nature of substances. They identify and understand the substance and how it behaves in different conditions.

• The techniques are more on measurement and quantifying materials then observing effects and behavior.

Analytical ChemistsAnalytical chemists may be involved in :• chemical or forensic analysis• process development• product validation• quality control• toxicology• drug formulation and development

Analytical Chemists

Forensic Chemists• They apply chemistry in law enforcement,

solving crimes and even in failure of products and process where substances are involved.

• They also help in the sequencing of events in a crime or incident by checking the remains of materials.

Forensic ChemistsSome techniques in Forensic Science where

chemistry is applied:• DNA Tests, Paraffin Tests (Gunshot Residue)• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

(used in identifying unknown substances, fire and explosives investigation, and drug detection)

• Luminol Chemiluminescence (Blood traces)

Forensic Chemists

Inorganic Chemists• Conduct researches on substances that do not

have carbon (inorganic compounds).• They are more on metals, salts, bases and

inorganic acids.• Inorganic compounds are mostly salts and

they are naturally synthesize in the environment without the intervention of a living organism.

Inorganic Chemists• The nature of their work is more on

manufacturing and industry of metals, inorganic chemicals and minerals.

• Innovations of their work contributes more on factories, construction materials and in industrial settings.

Organic Chemists• Conduct researches on carbon based

substances, hydrocarbons and their derivatives.• Usually these substances are related to living

organisms. Substances may be derived or have resemblance to substances found in life forms.

• Organic compounds are structurally diverse. • The range of application of organic

compounds is enormous.

Organic Chemists• They work more on innovations of food and

drugs as well as in producing materials from organic substances.

• A larger scope is working in the medical field where in organic matter is involved.

• They also contribute in agriculture and livestock industries.

Physical Chemists• Conduct researches about the behavior and

physical properties of matter.• They are more on observing the physics

(radiation, motion and different forms of energy) of matter.

• They observe matter in an atomic level dealing with particles.

Physical Chemists• Their usually employed in nuclear power

plants.• Their researches contributes in improving

technology and products.• They do the theoretical explanations and

calculations to be applied in a certain technology. They also perform experiments for these cases.

Physical Chemists

Chemical Engineer• They work in the chemical industry taking part

of the conversion of raw materials to commercial chemicals, materials and substances.

• They apply Physics and Chemistry in creating machineries and in the development of processes of converting materials to something valuable.

Chemical Engineer

Pharmacists • They are Health Professionals wherein they

are more involved with pharmaceutical drugs.• They measure and dispense medicines and

see to it that they are appropriate for the patient.

• They also orient and give instructions on the proper usage and effects of a certain drug.

• They are now also involved in research and improvements of medicines.

Pharmacists

Other Careers• Chemical Technician – Works under a

supervision of a Chemist. They maintain the apparatuses and chemicals related to chemical laboratory work.

• Industrial Research Chemist – Searches for improving products and gadgets that involves chemicals and chemical processes.

References• http://portal.acs.org• Wikipedia.org• About.com• http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos049.htm

(Bureau of Labor Statistics: United States Department of Labor)

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