Chemist

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A chemist could...

Overview Listen to this section

Everything in the environment, whether naturally occurring or of human design, is composed of chemicals. Chemists search for and use new knowledge about chemicals to develop new processes or products.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Chemist?

1. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
2. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
5. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

6. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
7. Mathematics: ? Using mathematics to solve problems.
8. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
9. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
10. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Chemist might do:

• Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
• Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
• Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
• Conduct quality control tests.
• Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
• Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
• Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
• Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
• Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
• Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
• Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
• Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.