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What job opportunities have chemistry as a main or sub-main focus?

I really like chemistry and want to know what jobs involve it. This can include medical and nonmedical

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Subject: Career question for you

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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Alexa,

There is a wide array of career opportunities that revolve around chemistry, spanning across numerous industries such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, environmental science, forensics, and education, among others. Here are some examples of professions where chemistry plays a central or significant role:

Chemist: These professionals delve into the properties, composition, and structure of elements and compounds, and their interactions under diverse conditions. They can find employment in a variety of sectors including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and beverage, or polymers.

Biochemist: Biochemists investigate the chemical processes and substances that take place within living organisms. Their work often involves comprehending and resolving biological issues related to cell development, growth, heredity, and disease.

Materials Scientist: They examine the properties and structures of various materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites, with the aim of creating new materials or enhancing existing ones for a range of applications.

Chemical Engineer: These engineers utilize the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to address problems associated with the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and other products.

Environmental Scientist: Using their knowledge of different scientific disciplines, including chemistry, environmental scientists work towards protecting the environment and human health by studying environmental issues and formulating solutions.

Forensic Scientist: Forensic scientists gather and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes using a range of scientific techniques and methods, including chemistry. They often specialize in areas such as drug analysis, toxicology, or firearms examination.

Pharmacologist: Pharmacologists explore how various chemicals interact with living organisms to create new drugs or understand the mechanisms of existing ones. They can find employment in academia, industry (pharmaceutical companies), or government regulatory agencies like the FDA.

Toxicologist: Toxicologists research the detrimental effects of different substances on living organisms and devise strategies to lessen those effects. They can find work in industries like pharmaceuticals or cosmetics or in regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

High School Chemistry Teacher: These educators impart knowledge about chemical principles and concepts to students, while also fostering their critical thinking skills through lab experiments and other activities. This role typically necessitates a teaching certification along with a robust background in chemistry.

Academic Researcher (Chemistry): Academic researchers conduct original research in various fields of chemistry (e.g., organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry) at universities or research institutions. They frequently publish their findings in scientific journals and may oversee graduate students pursuing their degrees.

May God bless you!
James Constantine.
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Robert’s Answer

You might find this resource helpful: https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences.html

But note that what you find interesting about chemistry matters, and that there are some very niche chemistry related fields that you will never see in a list. (For example, I write chemistry lab manuals and fix chemical analysis equipment, another chemist I know comes up with names for new pharmaceuticals and explains chemistry to non-chemists. These sorts of things are often left off of lists.)

Important note: Chemical engineers do not engineer chemicals...chemists do! Chemical engineers figure out how to make lots of something (and not necessarily even chemicals)...the name is a bit deceiving. One chemical engineer friend of mine manages the production line for Velveeta, another for Depends undergarments.
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