Career Options After Chemistry! 100+ chemistry career list
Hi! Are you a Chemistry graduate? Are you listening and believing the story of a neighbor, “Why did you choose Chemistry? It has no scope and job opportunities. You can work only as a professor or Chemist in a laboratory with a low salary. You might have chosen IT or any other field that has a high job opportunity “. Then, this article is for you.
If the neighbor says this, then don’t worry. It is not true. In this article, we will explore 100+ career Options after a Chemistry degree as well as the names of the companies hiring each profession. As a bonus, you will also come to know about the certifications one can do to put them out from the crowd.
All the career options that we will be discussing in this article will need a BSc in Chemistry, which I am sure you all have. So, doesn’t it mean that you have 100+ different career options to choose from?
Are you excited? Come on, let’s explore them. chemistry career list
Let’s start with the basic options that one might be familiar with.
Analytical Chemist, Organic Chemist, Inorganic Chemist, Physical Chemist :
- An Analytical Chemist specializes in analyzing substances to understand their composition, often ensuring products meet quality standards and regulatory requirements. Organic Chemists study carbon-based compounds, focusing on creating and analyzing chemicals found in living organisms, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
- Inorganic Chemists deal with non-carbon compounds, examining metals, minerals, and industrial materials for applications in electronics, manufacturing, and more. Physical Chemists investigate the fundamental principles governing chemical reactions and properties, exploring the interactions and energy changes in matter.
- Certification that adds Priority: Instrumentation and Calibration, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer (CCHO), Certified Process Safety Professional (CCPSC), Laboratory Safety Certifications, Instrumentation and Analytical Chemistry Certifications
- Companies Hiring: Thermo Fisher, Agilent, Pfizer, Merck, Dow, Novartis, Johnson Matthey, BASF, DuPont, National Labs, NIST, IBM.
Medicinal Chemist:
- Medicinal chemistry involves designing and developing drugs by modifying or creating chemical compounds to treat diseases, aiming to improve their safety and efficacy for human use.
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certification, Drug Design and Discovery Certification, and Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs Certification will help you get placed faster.
- GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, and Roche hire Medicinal Chemist.
| Career Option | Companies Hiring | Certifications |
| Materials Scientist | Corning, 3M, Dow Corning | Materials science certifications may be helpful. |
| Forensic Scientist | FBI, DEA, State Crime Labs | Forensic science certifications can be beneficial. |
| Food Chemist | Nestle, Kraft Heinz, General Mills | Certifications in food safety and quality assurance. |
| Quality Control Analyst | P&G, Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo | Quality control and regulatory certifications. |
| Pharmaceutical Scientist | Pfizer, Novartis, Merck | Pharmaceutical science or GMP certifications. |
| Chemical Engineer | ExxonMobil, Dow, Procter & Gamble | Professional Engineer (PE) licensure may be necessary. |
| Process Chemist | BP, Shell, Chevron | Relevant process chemistry certifications. |
| Research Scientist | Academic institutions, R&D centers | Laboratory safety and ethics certifications may be necessary. |
| Teaching/Professor | Universities and colleges worldwide | Teaching certifications and advanced degrees in education. |
| Water Quality Analyst | State Environmental Agencies, Water Treatment Plants | Certifications in water quality analysis. |
Table 1: List of Career Options after Chemistry degree
Petrochemical Engineer:
- A petrochemical engineer designs and oversees processes for converting raw materials, like oil and gas, into valuable chemical products and plastics, ensuring efficiency and safety.
- Chevron Phillips, Saudi Aramco, and ExxonMobil hires chemistry graduate as Petrochemical engineer. Professional Engineer (PE) licensure may be advantageous.
Computational Chemist:
- A computational chemist uses computer simulations and mathematical models to analyze and predict chemical reactions and properties, advancing research in drug development, materials science, and more.
- IBM Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory hires Computational chemists. Having certifications in computational chemistry will be an added advantage.
| Career Options | Certifications | Companies Hiring |
| Chemical Sales Representative | Sales and product-specific certifications. | Thermo Fisher, Sigma-Aldrich, VWR |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Regulatory and compliance certifications. | FDA, EPA, Regulatory consulting firms |
| Patent Examiner | Certification in Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | United States Patent and Trademark Office, WIPO |
| Perfumer | Perfumery training and scent development certifications. | Givaudan, IFF, Firmenich |
| Toxicologist | Toxicology certifications and laboratory safety training. | Covance, ToxStrategies, Amgen |
| Polymer Chemist | Certifications in polymer science or materials analysis. | DuPont, BASF, 3M |
| Nanotechnologist | Nanotechnology certifications and safety training. | National Nanotechnology Laboratories, IBM Research |
| Clinical Researcher | Clinical research and GCP certifications may be advantageous. |
Clinical research organizations, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies
|
| Green Chemist | Sustainability certifications and training. |
Various research institutions and sustainability-focused companies
|
| Science Writer/Communicator | Science communication and journalism certifications may be advantageous. | Scientific journals, media outlets, educational organizations |
| Environmental Consultant | Certifications in environmental regulations and consulting. | Environmental consulting firms, government agencies |
| Energy Analyst | Certifications in energy analysis and sustainability. | Energy companies, research institutions, consulting firms |
| Laboratory Technician | Laboratory safety and technician certifications. | Hospitals, research labs, pharmaceutical companies |
| Color Chemist | Certifications in color analysis and quality control. | Pantone, X-Rite, Clariant |
| Biophysicist | Biophysics certifications and laboratory safety training. | Research institutions, pharmaceutical companies |
| Surface Chemist | Surface chemistry certifications and laboratory safety training. | Corning, IBM Research, Nanotech companies |
| Corrosion Analyst | Corrosion analysis certifications and safety training. | Oil and gas companies, engineering firms |
| Paint Formulator | Paint formulation certifications and materials analysis training. | Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, PPG |
| Metallurgist | Metallurgy certifications and safety training. | Boeing, ArcelorMittal, Nucor |
| Oil and Gas Chemist | Oil and gas certifications and safety training. | ExxonMobil, Chevron, Halliburton |
| Agricultural Chemist | Certifications in agriculture and pesticide regulations. | USDA, Monsanto, Syngenta |
Table 2: Career Options after Chemistry degree with the name of the companies hiring each role.
Image: Career Options after chemistry with the companies hiring each post. chemistry career list
Radiochemist:
- A radiochemist is a scientist who specializes in studying the behavior and properties of radioactive materials, using their expertise to develop applications in fields like nuclear medicine, environmental monitoring, and nuclear energy. They work with radioactive isotopes, analyze their interactions, and ensure safety protocols are followed in handling and disposal.
- Radiochemistry certifications and radiation safety training will be added benefits.
- Research institutions and nuclear medicine companies hire Chemistry graduates for this post.
Plastics Engineer:
- A plastic engineer designs develops, and oversees the production of plastic products and processes, ensuring they meet quality and performance standards.
- Plastic engineering certifications and safety training will be an added benefits. Plastic manufacturing companies, and the automotive industry will hire people for this post.
| Career options after a Chemistry degree | Certifications | Companies Hiring |
| Chemical Informatics Specialist | Certifications in chemical informatics and data analytics. | Pharmaceutical companies, research institutions |
| Catalysis Scientist | Catalysis certifications and laboratory safety training. |
Catalytic research companies, chemical manufacturing companies
|
| Energy Auditor | Energy auditor certifications and building inspection training. | Energy auditing companies, sustainability consulting firms |
| Space Scientist | Relevant certifications in space science and safety training. | NASA, SpaceX, European Space Agency |
| Glass Scientist | Glass science certifications and laboratory safety training. | Corning, Schott, PPG |
| Greenhouse Gas Analyst | Certifications in greenhouse gas analysis and emissions measurement. | Environmental consulting firms, government agencies |
| Fermentation Scientist | Certifications in food fermentation or microbial safety. |
Brewing companies, biotech firms, food and beverage companies
|
| Regulatory Chemist | Certifications in chemical safety and regulatory affairs. | Regulatory agencies, chemical safety consulting firms |
| Chemical Safety Officer | Safety certifications and chemical hazard analysis training. | Chemical manufacturing companies, research institutions |
| Oceanographic Chemist | Oceanographic certifications and marine safety training. | Research institutions, oceanographic research organizations |
| Renewable Energy Analyst | Certifications in renewable energy and energy efficiency. | Renewable energy companies, sustainability consulting firms |
| Battery Scientist | Battery technology certifications and safety training. | Battery manufacturing companies, research institutions |
| Chemical Analyst | Certifications in chemical analysis and laboratory safety. |
Pharmaceutical companies, testing laboratories, quality control departments
|
| Fire Protection Chemist | Fire protection certifications and safety training. |
Fire protection agencies, insurance companies, fire safety consulting firms
|
| Fuel Chemist | Fuel chemistry certifications and safety training. | Oil and gas companies, fuel manufacturing companies |
| Chemical Information Specialist | Certifications in chemical information and data management. | Chemical information companies, research institutions |
| Hazardous Materials Manager | Certifications in hazardous materials management. | Environmental consulting firms, industrial companies |
| Sustainability Manager | Certifications in sustainability and environmental management. |
Sustainability consulting firms, corporate sustainability departments
|
| Recycling Specialist | Certifications in recycling and waste management. | Recycling companies, waste management agencies |
Table 3: Scope after Chemistry degree
Image: Career Options after chemistry degree.
Some of the other careers that one can choose after a chemistry degree are as follows:
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Drug Formulation Scientist
- Biocompatibility Specialist
- Wine Chemist
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Industrial Water Chemist
- Renewable Energy Engineer
- Aerospace Materials Engineer
- Packaging Scientist
- Food Safety Auditor
- Oil and Gas Exploration Chemist
- Radiation Therapist
- Plant Chemist
- Scientific Illustrator
- Hazardous Materials Chemist
- Dye Chemist
- Chemical Safety Trainer
- Commodity Trader
- Computational Material Scientist
- Chromatographer
- Chemical Safety Consultant
- Science Outreach Coordinator
- Archaeological Chemist
After reading this article, I hope you will now gain confidence in your degree. Chemistry is a huge field and has various career opportunities as listed in the article. It’s all up to the candidate to explore, find the right path, and get placed at top companies by acquiring proper certification courses.
100+ chemistry career list
