Is being a chemist a good fit for you?
Does experiments and tests in a lab to find out what substances are made of, check quality and develop new products.
What the work involves
- Develops, improves or adapts products, equipment, formulas and methods of analysis.
- Analyses chemical compounds to find their properties, make-up and reactions.
- Changes substances using heat, light, energy or chemicals so they can be analysed.
- Runs quality control tests.
The interests that suit it
People in this work tend to be curious and hands-on. Here is how much each of the six kinds of interest comes into it.
What it tends to reward
Compared with other work, this job stands out for:
- Mastery. Getting really good at something over time.
- Independence. Trusted to decide how the work gets done.
- Security. Steady work in a well-run organisation.
How much training it needs
Degree required. Usually a degree, sometimes more study after. Rules differ from country to country, so check locally before you commit.
Find out if it fits you
Answer quick questions about what you like doing and what keeps you going. We match you with roles from over 900 kinds of work, and you can see if a chemist is one of yours.
Free. About 15 minutes. No account.