Analytical Chemist

Also known as:

Chemist, Analytical

Introduction

Analytical chemists investigate the chemical composition of substances, eg, raw materials, food, drugs or agricultural products. Their findings help make the manufacturing process efficient and products safe and protect public safety and the environment.

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Work Activities

Analytical chemists examine substances in food and drink products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and water to find out what chemicals they contain. They make sure quality and safety standards are maintained by analysing raw materials, monitoring the production process and testing the finished item. They use a range of methods and technology including automated equipment to test hundreds of samples and complex techniques such as gas chromatography.

Analytical chemists may design and develop testing systems for production plants. They also test the nutritional content of food and drink, and provide this information for labels on the product packaging.

There are also many opportunities for analytical chemists to protect public health and the environment. In the public analyst service they monitor waste disposal, measure lead content in the air, and test the safety of food, drugs, water and agricultural products.

In the Civil Service and attached agencies they carry out measuring and testing, for example to measure the tar and nicotine content of cigarettes, or check the safety of animal medicines and feed. The results are used to inform the public on health and safety matters.

In the water industry analytical chemists monitor rivers and other water sources for pollution, including heavy metals. They check that sewage has been properly treated.

On development land sites they check that the soil is not contaminated.

In hospitals, they help doctors to diagnose disease by analysing patients' blood.

Analytical chemists also work in forensic science, biomedical science and lecturing and research in universities.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As an analytical chemist, you must have a methodical and thorough approach to your work. You will need an enquiring, critical mind and problem solving skills. You need the ability to pay close attention to detail.

You have to take exact measurements and keep accurate records. You need good maths and statistical skills to analyse data.

You need good communication skills to present your results to others and write reports.

An interest in other sciences is important because analytical chemists use physics, statistics and computing in their work.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Analytical chemists earn in the range of £21,000 - £25,000 a year, rising to £26,000 - £30,000. Higher earners can make around £40,000 a year.

Higher earners can make around £52,000 a year. Higher rates are available depending on employer, role and responsibilities.

Analytical chemists normally work around 35-39 hours, Monday to Friday.

There are opportunities in a wide range of companies, especially in the food and drink, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Analytical chemists also work in hospitals, in central and local government departments and with water companies.

The Civil Service Central Science Laboratory (CSL) employs analytical chemists to help promote the safe and efficient production of food and the protection of the environment.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed laboratory skills during industrial work placements.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing an Access course, eg, Access to Science.

You don't usually need any qualifications to enter an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

Sponsorship for higher education study is sometimes available from the utilities companies, as well as food and drink manufacturing and processing companies.

Funding for postgraduate study and research is available through universities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

• 11% of people in occupations such as analytical chemistry work part-time.
• 32% have flexible hours.
• 10% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy or waste management.