6 Chemical Jobs You Could Pursue to Advance Your Career

The chemical industry employs hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Because of factors such as globalisation, growing populations, and global warming, the industry has evolved significantly over the past few decades and is now more dynamic than ever. As a result, this has ushered in a new wave of talent pursuing careers in chemical jobs.

A career in the chemical industry is exciting. It offers high levels of responsibility, access to the latest technological advancements in your field, and the potential for high financial income. 

So, with that said, what are the top chemical jobs you could pursue? This blog will explore six of the top roles in the chemical industry. We’ll provide an overview of what each role entails to give you an insight into which position you may find worth pursuing. 

In this blog, we’ll cover the following chemical jobs:

1. Analytical Chemist
2. Chemical Engineer or Chemical Process Engineer
3. Environmental Consultant
4. Geochemist
5. Hazardous Chemical Management Chemist
6. Materials Engineer 

1. Analytical Chemist

An analytical chemist uses different methods to assess the composition of various materials and substances. These chemical professionals aim to identify and understand the substances and their behaviour under different conditions and environments. Analytical chemists can lend their expertise to various industries, such as healthcare, food, and forensic science.

Analytical chemist jobs involve developing new chemicals, materials, and substances within the chemical industry. Talent in these chemical jobs studies the physical and chemical properties of different chemicals and compounds to determine a product's stability, safety, and quality.

Aspiring talent looking to pursue analytical chemist jobs must have excellent attention to detail, technical skills, and a theoretical understanding of the substances they work with. They must also stay updated with the latest scientific trends and discoveries and health and safety regulations.

The responsibilities of analytical chemist jobs could include:

• Preparing and analysing samples
• Using different analysis techniques and instruments such as ion chromatography, gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrochromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and spectroscopy (infrared and ultraviolet, amongst others)
• Preparing reports and presenting results to other relevant teams and management
• Developing new analytical techniques and processes
• Ensuring health and safety processes are followed

Here's a breakdown of the common requirements and skills needed to pursue analytical chemist jobs:

• Analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Data analysis skills
• Capable of working both collaboratively in a team and independently
• Expertise in utilising IT infrastructure and tools to analyse data
• A degree in analytical chemistry, science or other relevant subject

2. Chemical Engineer or Chemical Process Engineer

Chemical jobs in the form of chemical engineers, chemical process engineers, or process engineers are responsible for the physical, chemical, and biochemical processes and equipment used to create viable products from raw materials.

Within the chemical industry, engineers improve or develop new manufacturing processes or equipment used to create products, keeping in mind timescales, costs, efficiency, and quality. Chemical engineering jobs require that talent have an in-depth knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of the substances they’re working with and how they interact.

Professionals in chemical engineering jobs will work closely alongside process and analytical chemists, as well as other engineering departments and upper management. They ensure that processes are running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Chemical engineers will also oversee the construction of new equipment or chemical plants, run tests, and prepare reports to present to upper management and other relevant teams.

Here’s an overview of the typical responsibilities of chemical engineering jobs:

• Create efficient manufacturing processes to mitigate waste production while enhancing product quality
• Develop safety protocols for handling hazardous materials
• Optimise manufacturing equipment to boost productivity and reduce expenses
• Support with budget management and timescales on chemical engineering projects
• Utilise computer systems to compile, analyse, and process data

Below is an overview of the skills and requirements needed to pursue a career as a chemical engineer:

• Ability to problem-solve individually or in a team
• Strong analytical skills 
• Excellent resource and project management skills
• Previous experience in relevant chemical engineering jobs
• A degree in chemistry or related science and engineering field

3. Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants advise their clients on matters concerning the environment and how their projects could affect it. The ultimate goal of these chemical jobs is to negate or minimise the environmental impact of the client’s project.

Talent in environmental consultant jobs will conduct field surveys and tests to assess the environmental conditions of a given site. They will then analyse the results and provide feedback to stakeholders such as clients, colleagues and regulators. This feedback will offer advice on further actions.

Environmental consultants must be aware of all relevant regional, state, and international regulations regarding a range of environmental issues, advising their clients so that they remain compliant. Professionals in these chemical jobs can find themselves working for environmental agencies, local bodies or independent wildlife organisations. 

Environmental consultants can specialise in a range of areas, such as:

• Climate change and emissions
• Environmental management systems
• Flood risk and environmental impact assessment
• Recycling and waste management
• Renewable energy opportunities
• Water, land, and air contamination

Below is a list of the primary responsibilities of an environmental consultant: 

• Conduct field surveys to gather data regarding pollution or contamination levels in specified areas
• Document comprehensive reports and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders 
• Perform desk-based research and analyse data using specific software tools and models
• Offer expert guidance and advice to clients on how to optimise actions based on research outcomes
• Create visual concepts and assess potential contamination risks for sites or projects

Here’s a summary of the skills and requirements needed for environmental consultant jobs:

• Ability to communicate and present to diverse stakeholders
• Project management skills with an ability to allocate and monitor resources effectively 
• Strong business acumen and commercial knowledge
• Ability to manage multiple projects across different sites simultaneously
• A degree in a relevant subject such as ecology, geology or environmental engineering 

4. Geochemist

Geochemists have knowledge of both inorganic and physical chemistry, which they use to study the distribution and quantity of chemical substances in minerals and rocks. Individuals in these chemical jobs also examine how these chemicals integrate with the soil and water systems and move around within a given environment.

Within the chemical industry, geochemists might examine how a plant affects the land or geology in a given area. They may also explore how to improve water quality or how to clear up toxic waste sites. To do this, they conduct field visits and take samples. They will then conduct laboratory analysis using gas chromatography, carbon and isotope data, viscosity, and solvent extraction techniques.

Geochemists map out specific geochemical areas for research and analysis and feed their findings back to other departments, which will then inform the development of a project.

Here are the key responsibilities of a geochemist:

• Analyse various environmental samples such as rock, soil and minerals to understand their composition and age
• Perform field visits to gather samples and map geochemical areas for analysis
• Conduct sample tests and checks using specialised equipment like electron microbes, mass spectrometers and microscopes
• Use specialist software to analyse data and generate computer models 
• Collaborate with geologists, chemical engineers, and managers, providing support and recommendations based on findings and analysis

Below is a list of the typical skills and requirements of a geochemist:

• Strong laboratory skills with an awareness of safety procedures
• Interpersonal traits with an ability to work effectively in a team or independently 
• Project management skills for leading research and studies
• Excellent IT and data analysis skills
• A degree in chemical engineering, geochemistry, geology or relevant field 

5. Hazardous Chemical Management Chemist

Hazardous chemical management chemists work as part of a team responsible for detecting and identifying chemical pollutants in the soil, water, and air. Talent in these chemical jobs aims to prevent or reduce pollution within an area and work towards remediating any problems caused by hazardous waste. They then develop strategies to handle or store this dangerous waste.

Professionals in this space share many of the same skills that analytical chemists have and will work alongside other scientists – such as geochemists, toxicologists, and biologists – to determine the composition of samples and how to dispose of any chemical waste safely.

The role of hazardous chemical management chemists is also to track the hazardous materials as they move through the environment. They create models to determine the chemical fate of materials, evaluate bioavailability, and predict the chances of success of different environmental remediation scenarios.

Here’s an overview of the responsibilities of hazardous chemical management chemists:

• Address pollution in specific areas by implementing waste reduction strategies
• Manage the storage and handling of hazardous waste while adhering to safety and compliance procedures
• Remediation of contaminated soil and water to restore environmental health
• Monitor and mitigate activities that impact the environment
• Develop and optimise environmental remediation scenarios

Below are the essential skills and requirements of hazardous chemical management chemist roles:

• Proficiency in analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry, focusing on environmental applications
• Understanding of geology and environmental chemistry, particularly in soil and water analysis
• Proven experience working with hazardous chemicals in waste management facilities
• Knowledge and awareness of chemical properties and potential hazards
• A degree in chemistry or related field

6. Materials Engineer

Materials engineers work on various materials to improve and optimise their performance. Skilled individuals in these types of chemical jobs also create new materials to help advance technologies and products.

A materials engineer will thoroughly understand the behaviours and properties of the various materials they work with. Typically, material engineers will work on raw materials such as ceramics, polymers, plastics, and industrial minerals. Their goal is to make products and materials stronger or more durable whilst keeping costs as efficient as possible.

Material engineers often find work in industries such as renewable energy, manufacturing and engineering. Depending on the area of materials engineering and the industry they work in, professionals in these types of chemical jobs can be referred to as materials technology or materials science roles. Material engineers can explore opportunities in niche research lab roles for smaller companies or positions working on innovative research for multinational corporations.

As part of their day-to-day activities, they may be:

• Advising on any necessary changes to a material or product
• Conducting inspections and diagnosing faults
• Developing, changing, and testing materials
• Liaising with suppliers and other engineering teams
• Utilising software to analyse data regarding materials 

Discover the primary skills and requirements of a materials engineer:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills 
• Strong teamwork ability along with individual responsibility and decision-making skills
• Commercial awareness regarding scientific and technical issues
• Interest in specific product types and application of scientific reasoning in industrial settings
• A degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or relevant science-based fields

Final Thoughts on the Top Chemical Jobs You Could Pursue

The chemical industry offers diverse and impactful career opportunities for passionate and talented individuals. The highlighted roles of analytical chemist, chemical engineer, environmental consultant, geochemist, hazardous chemical management chemist, and materials engineer showcase the breadth of possibilities within this niche field.

These roles require scientific expertise, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to sustainability and safety. With opportunities across the healthcare, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors, to name a few, a career in chemicals promises professional fulfilment and meaningful contributions to global challenges.

Pursuing chemical jobs offers a chance to shape a more sustainable and technologically advanced future, making a real impact through innovation and specialist expertise.

If you found this blog useful, explore our related piece on How Chemical Engineers Can Become Renewable Energy Engineers.

Looking to Pursue the Latest Chemical Jobs?

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Working with global manufacturers of speciality chemicals, bulk chemicals, fine chemicals, and oil refining, our knowledge of process development and project execution, combined with our specialist understanding of region-specific industry employment regulations , helps us connect the best candidates with the market’s most innovative and exciting projects.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the chemical industry, contact us to discover the latest chemical jobs.