Analytical chemistry careers range from private pharmaceutical jobs to government environmental quality oversight. Chemists test materials for composition and contamination, with jobs in public sectors, private companies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. A bachelor’s degree in analytical chemistry is required, with higher degrees for specialized work.
Careers in analytical chemistry span a wide spectrum, from private jobs in the pharmaceutical industry to jobs with government agencies that oversee environmental quality. Chemical analytical jobs involve testing materials to determine their chemical composition in a controlled environment to generate repeatable and verifiable results. To do this work, you usually need to have a bachelor’s degree in analytical chemistry at a minimum, and many people have higher degrees to qualify them for specialized work.
In the public sector, analytical chemist jobs can include work for environmental agencies as well as for health and safety agencies. Chemists test samples of air, soil, water and other materials for signs of contamination and can make policy recommendations to help agencies protect the health of the environment. They can also test food, medicine and other products for signs of contamination. The analytical chemist may recommend a recall or change in product formulation to address safety concerns.
Analytical chemists can also perform forensic evaluations for government agencies. Law enforcement agencies have analytical jobs available to test materials found at crime scenes. The chemist can determine its chemical composition and its origins. This information can be useful in identifying a suspect or developing a case to bring someone to justice.
Employment in the private sector is also an option. Many companies need chemists in their research and development departments. Analytical chemists’ jobs can include developing new chemical compounds, testing compounds to learn more about them, and improving existing products. Some chemists are focused on creating new equipment for use in analytical chemistry, while others are interested in working on tasks such as controlling pharmaceuticals or developing better stabilizers for food.
Other analytical chemist jobs can be found in educational institutions, which are in need of chemists to provide education and training to their students. Chemists can work at colleges and universities, where they can also conduct research. They may also work in technical and trade schools to prepare technicians to work in laboratory environments. Non-profit organizations also have analytics jobs available; environmental groups, for example, may maintain laboratories to carry out independent tests.
Students interested in a career in analytical chemistry may want to think about a specific area of focus. This can help them decide where to go to school. It can also determine how much education is needed for the job. A chemist working in a government laboratory might need a master’s degree, for example, while a pharmaceutical researcher might have a doctorate and a postdoctoral degree under his belt.
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