A chemist searches for and uses new knowledge about chemicals to improve the way we live. He or she may develop products such as synthetic fibers, drugs and cosmetics. A chemist also creates processes, including oil refining and petrochemical processing, that reduce energy use and pollution. Chemists specialize in areas such as analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and theoretical, macromolecular, medical, and materials chemistry.

Tasks:

1. Prepare test solutions, compounds, and reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct test.
2. Analyze organic and inorganic compounds to determine chemical and physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, and reactions, utilizing chromatography, spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry techniques.
3. Develop, improve, and customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, and analytical methods.
4. Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency and to diagnose malfunctions.
5. Confer with scientists and engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
6. Direct, coordinate, and advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components and physical properties of materials.

Key skills for chemist:

• Logical and independent mind
• Motivation and ability to solve complex problems
• Systematic approach to tasks
• Theoretical knowledge of analytical techniques
• Ability to develop and validate new methods
• Excellent IT skills
• Numerical and analytical ability
• Teamworking
• Responsibility
• Communication and presentation skills

Average salary (2013):

The United Kingdom: from £24,000 to £35,000 per year
The United States of America: $61,000 per year
Australia: AU$54,252 per year

Qualifications and training required:

One who wants to work as a chemist must have, at the minimum, a bachelor's degree in chemistry. However, most research jobs in chemistry require at least a master's degree, but more often a PhD.