Chemical scientist - requirements

A chemical scientist, sometimes called a chemist, studies substances and how they behave under certain conditions to drive improved scientific understanding and applications. Read on to learn more about how to build a career in chemical science, what your job might involve, and what to study or do.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

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What qualifications do you need to be a chemical scientist?

A degree in one of the following subjects will be required to progress as a chemical scientist:

Many degree programmes include professional placements or sandwich years in industry, which are typically needed if you want to work outside of academia after your studies.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a chemical scientist?

A postgraduate degree isn’t needed to get a job as a chemical scientist, but you’ll need one to progress in academia and many employers will expect a master’s level qualification or above.

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include courses like:

  • Advanced composites and polymers
  • Advanced concrete technology
  • Aerosol science
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Drug discovery and translational biology
  • Pharmaceutical analysis

What skills do you need to be a chemical scientist?

Technical skills like experimental technique and laboratory management will be central to your work, as well as management and communication skills.

Hard skills usually include:
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemistry
  • Manufacturing
  • Analytical science and statistics
  • High-performance liquid chromatography
  • IT competencies
  • Language processing
Soft skills include:
  • Communication
  • Research skills
  • Experimental design
  • Innovation
  • Consultation
  • Collaboration
  • Presentation
  • Analysis
  • Problem-solving

Do you need work experience to be a chemical scientist?

Work experience will always boost your employability and broaden your skillset, so it’s always recommended. However, you can start your career as a chemical scientist without professional experience due to the availability of graduate schemes and entry-level roles aimed at recent graduates. Significant experience and research output is usually needed to secure more senior positions.

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