WHAT DOES A CHEMIST DO?
Updated: Mai 31, 2025 - The Chemist performs petroleum sample analyses using standardized methodologies to determine physical and chemical properties, ensuring compliance with product specifications and regulations. This role operates, maintains, and calibrates laboratory instruments including spectrophotometers, viscometers, and chromatography systems, while ensuring data accuracy through LIMS entry and verification. This position prepares Certificates of Analysis for clients, communicates essential information, and maintains laboratory cleanliness to support efficient operations and regulatory standards.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Chemist
1. Chemist Duties
- Analytical Development: Methods and processes aimed at improving analytical capabilities.
- Laboratory Analysis: Perform and direct laboratory analyses.
- Team Coordination: Coordinate with other staff members to deliver timely and sound analytical methods and processes addressing business needs.
- SOP Management: Participate as part of the ISO 17025 and cGMP technical team and direct the creation and/or revision of SOPs pertaining to validation principles and activities.
- Technical Support: Serve as technical resource for other laboratory departments.
- Research Execution: Perform and direct research projects.
- Validation Planning: Plan, write, and review method validations.
- Compliance Assurance: Ensure procedures and development tools are compliant with ISO 17025 and cGMP guidelines and company policies.
- Data Review: Review and approval of laboratory data and customer reports.
- Technology Assessment: Assess scientific literature and available technology for potential service applications in coordination with the sales and account management efforts of the General Manager.
- Staff Training: Perform and/or direct training of laboratory staff.
- Professional Development: Maintain a high level of professional expertise through familiarity with scientific literature.
2. Chemist Details
- Safety Compliance: Ensure that all analytical testing requirements are completed following safety standards with the necessary accuracy and within the expected timeframe.
- Project Coordination: Design and coordinate analytical special project activities for product evaluation, raw material evaluation, and process monitoring.
- Record Maintenance: Maintain analytical files and records in accordance with GMP and company standards.
- Process Leadership: Provide leadership in identifying areas of improvement, productivity gains, and potential problems with regards to analytical concerns.
- Vendor Management: Coordinate all analytical supply purchases and equipment repair through contact with approved vendors.
- Chemical Analysis: Conduct complex chemical and physical analyses using both instrumental and classical analytical techniques.
- Regulatory Compliance: Monitor and assure compliance of the laboratory to applicable company policies, procedures, compendial procedures, and current GMP regulations.
- Personnel Training: Train designated new/existing personnel to ensure the technical competency of personnel performing analytical testing (includes OSI in Powder Analytical Lab).
- Method Evaluation: Evaluate new methods and instrumentation for feasibility/potential improvements and make recommendations accordingly.
- Problem Solving: Develop plans and conduct projects of investigative and analytical nature to solve laboratory problems, maintain and/or improve analytical support to Operations.
3. Chemist Responsibilities
- Issue Resolution: Oversee the resolution of testing discrepancies and troubleshoot method and instrument problems.
- External Communication: Interface with personnel from other companies/laboratories regarding testing discrepancies and method/instrument problems.
- Inventory Management: Maintain inventory of chemicals, apparatus, and equipment for analytical laboratory and satellite laboratories.
- Data Analysis: Analyze test data generated by self and others, utilizing statistical techniques, for presentation to management.
- Sample Testing: Conduct complaint, validation, and inter-laboratory test method transfer sample testing according to procedures and established requirements.
- Stability Monitoring: Schedule monitoring, testing, documentation, and reporting of stability samples according to established procedures in a timely manner.
- Lab Maintenance: Maintain the analytical lab and retain room in accordance with GMP/Plant housekeeping procedures.
- Equipment Calibration: Maintain all applicable equipment and instrumentation within calibration specifications.
- Conference Participation: Participate in domestic and foreign scientific conferences and trade shows both for professional development and laboratory marketing and sales efforts.
- Team Collaboration: Assist the General Manager and collaborate with the Quality Department.
- ICP Analysis: Testing via ICP/MS and analyzing samples.
4. Chemist Job Summary
- Method Development: Works on the development of new methods/new products.
- Technology Monitoring: Keeps abreast of current technological trends and developments.
- Patent Generation: Takes an active role in the generation of Intellectual Property through patent generation.
- Peptide Synthesis: Synthesizes custom peptide-based products using solution phase and/or solid phase in a multi-gram or kilogram scale.
- Strategy Design: Designs peptide synthesis/purification strategies, and performs the synthesis and improvement.
- Research Innovation: Continue to innovate and research for new methods/products.
- Idea Sharing: Shares new ideas with team members and other departments.
- IP Contribution: Contribute to building a strong IP portfolio.
- Technical Support: Provide technical expertise and work collaboratively across the business to meet business objectives.
- Lab Assistance: Assist with scheduled and ad-hoc duties within the laboratory to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the facility.
5. Chemist Functions
- Service Provision: Performs a wide variety of duties in a division comprised of scientific, technical, and administrative professionals providing drinking water, wastewater, and surface water testing services for the Water Services Department and its customers.
- Sample Analysis: Performs routine analysis of water and wastewater samples using standardized chemical and/or microbiological testing methods.
- Equipment Operation: Operates specialized laboratory equipment.
- Data Reporting: Documents test results, reviews data, and generates reports from the Laboratory Information Management System.
- Instrument Maintenance: Calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instruments.
- Supply Management: Orders laboratory supplies, and shares responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the laboratory.
- Solution Preparation: Prepares solutions and standards by using accurate and precise measurement techniques.
- Sample Collection: Responsible for collecting samples at designated locations at the Water Treatment Plant.
- Test Documentation: Keeps detailed documentation on testing.
- Workplace Safety: Maintains a clean and safe work environment and complies with all safety and waste disposal policies.
- Quality Compliance: Complies with all quality systems policies, follows Standard Operating Procedures, and takes corrective action.
6. Chemist Job Description
- Analysis Planning: Plans and organizes chemical analysis of starting material, in-process and finished product, and stability studies and ensures adherence to approved test methods, specifications, procedures, equipment operating instruments, and guidelines.
- Program Administration: Responsible for administering the quality control program.
- Product Control: Detects, prevents shipment of out-of-specification products, and takes corrective action on non-conforming products and process upsets.
- Product Evaluation: Analyze and determine the acceptability of the final product and quality of critical raw materials in accordance with the quality system.
- Record Management: Generates and maintains QC records including analysis, batch, equipment, and adds records.
- Staff Supervision: Supervises, monitors, and trains laboratory personnel for efficient operation of the laboratory.
- Procedure Implementation: Implements procedures in the Quality System including the QC Procedures Manual.
- Batch Supervision: Supervises additions to product batches.
- Training Notification: Notifies the Laboratory Executive of any need for training or changes to procedures.
- Equipment Calibration: Maintains and calibrates laboratory equipment in a manner consistent with the quality system.
7. Chemist Overview
- Chemical Analysis: Perform chemical analyses on raw materials, bulk products, and finished products using GC, FTIR, wet chemistry techniques, and any other methodology required to accomplish the task.
- Safety Compliance: Understand and use laboratory safety equipment and instructions, precautions in handling reagents, and disposal of chemical waste according to local environmental regulations.
- Instrument Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot instruments and methodologies when mechanical or procedural difficulties occur.
- Instrument Maintenance: Perform cleaning, maintenance, and calibration of various laboratory instruments.
- Solution Preparation: Prepare and standardize laboratory solutions, maintaining accurate results.
- Project Participation: Participate and/or assist in various projects such as qualification of instruments, method verification, or transfer.
- SOP Documentation: Assist in writing and updating Standard Analytical Procedures (SOPs) and preparation of product specifications.
- Data Maintenance: Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and concise laboratory records.
- Supply Management: Maintain laboratory chemical supplies.
- Training Support: Provide training assistance to other group members.
- Data Review: Perform review of laboratory data and reports.
8. Chemist Tasks
- Chemical Analysis: Perform chemical analyses on raw materials, bulk products, and finished products using GC, FTIR, wet chemistry techniques, and any other methodology required to accomplish the task.
- Safety Compliance: Understand and use laboratory safety equipment and instructions, precautions in handling reagents, and disposal of chemical waste according to local environmental regulations.
- Instrument Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot instruments and methodologies when mechanical or procedural difficulties occur.
- Instrument Maintenance: Perform cleaning, maintenance, and calibration of various laboratory instruments.
- Solution Preparation: Prepare and standardize laboratory solutions, maintaining accurate results.
- Project Participation: Participate and/or assist in various projects such as qualification of instruments, method verification, or transfer.
- SOP Documentation: Assist in writing and updating Standard Analytical Procedures (SOPs) and preparation of product specifications.
- Data Maintenance: Maintain accurate, up-to-date, and concise laboratory records.
- Supply Management: Maintain laboratory chemical supplies.
- Training Support: Provide training assistance to other group members.
- Data Review: Perform review of laboratory data and reports.
9. Chemist Roles
- Product Formulation: Formulate new products based on customer, company, and market needs and opportunities.
- Record Management: Organize and maintain product development records and data files, i.e., lab notebooks, project files, raw material, equipment, and product information etc.
- Process Integration: Assist in the integration of the technical "know-how", formulations, and/or processes from lab bench to pilot scale and finally into commercial production.
- Lab Execution: Lab bench work, formulating and testing for successful completion of lab project work.
- Equipment Utilization: Develop a working knowledge of available analytical and physical testing equipment and have the ability to use these tools for new product development, troubleshooting product quality issues, and investigating customer product failure claims.
- Equipment Recommendation: Recommend the procurement of new equipment that is necessary for successful project completion.
- Stakeholder Communication: Communicate effectively company's product needs and opportunities with third parties (customers, development partners, vendors, and business line-affiliated entities) in order to provide interim and final deliverables within reasonable time and budget constraints.
- IP Protection: Secure relevant intellectual property by patent application and by safeguarding company's trade secrets.
- Team Collaboration: Technical cooperation as a part of cross-functional teams within an international division of affiliated companies under the roof of a global premium specialty chemicals group.
- Technology Application: Utilize existing and/or emerging technologies to design and build customer-needed value-added products with a competitive advantage that drives tactical and strategic business growth.
10. Chemist Additional Details
- Client Partnership: Partner with internal and external clients to design, execute, and deliver on custom opportunities.
- Tool Maintenance: Maintaining tools and test equipment and ensuring they are properly calibrated.
- Capability Development: Support the growth of the business by working with cross-functional teams to develop new capabilities.
- Sample Analysis: Analyzes samples from various sources to provide information on different materials.
- Technique Development: Develops new techniques to analyze chemicals.
- Data Interpretation: Collaborates with specialists to interpret data and writes reports about the results.
- Process Improvement: Analyzes test information to determine process efficiency and works on improvements.
- Material Testing: Performs qualitative and quantitative chemical and physical analysis of raw materials and finished products.
- Instrument Operation: Prepares standards and reagents, calibrates and operates sophisticated laboratory instrumentation such as HPLC, FTIR, UV-Visible spectrophotometer.
- Result Interpretation: Interprets test results and compares with determined standards and limits.
11. Chemist Essential Functions
- Data Entry: Enters sample information, analysis requirements, product specifications, raw data, and quality control results into the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
- Equipment Operation: Operates laboratory equipment and instruments such as microscopes, centrifuges, agitators, viscometers, balances, spectrophotometers, chromatography instruments, colorimeters, and other laboratory equipment.
- Physical Analysis: Analyzes petroleum products and component materials according to standardized methodologies for qualities related to stability, viscosity, density, acidity, flammability, and other physical properties.
- Chemical Analysis: Analyzes petroleum products and component materials according to standardized methodologies for presence and concentrations of elements or substances such as metals, benzene, total aromatics, sulfur, ash, residues, or impurities.
- Specification Verification: Analyzes samples of finished petroleum products to verify conformity to product specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Data Verification: Proofs and verifies raw data, LIMS data entries, instrument printouts, and reports of analysis.
- Certificate Preparation: Prepares and sends Certificates of Analysis directly to clients.
- Client Communication: Communicates directly with clients under specific circumstances to provide basic information or to coordinate sample transportation.
- Time Management: Prioritizes workload and manages time effectively to ensure results are presented to the client in a timely manner to meet customer and regulatory requirements.
- Lab Cleanliness: Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment and performs basic duties to ensure the cleanliness of the laboratory environment.
12. Chemist Role Purpose
- Instrument Maintenance: Verifies and calibrates and performs routine maintenance on various laboratory instruments.
- Solution Preparation: Prepares chemical solutions according to standard formulas.
- Quality Support: Assists in quality assurance practices, SQC analysis and interpretation, and other protocols where applicable.
- Program Compliance: Supports the various laboratory quality programs (ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 certification) and assists in the corrective/preventive actions process.
- Shift Availability: Works a rotating schedule including weekends, holidays, and must be available to work on an on-call basis.
- Respiratory Usage: Utilize respiratory equipment in handling samples.
- Sample Transport: Transports samples to/from client facilities following all DOT and company requirements for sample transportation.
- Sample Handling: Assists in sample retention and disposal procedures.
- Shipment Preparation: Prepares samples for domestic and international Dangerous Goods and non-hazardous shipments once IATA trained and certified.
- Trend Verification: Interprets and compares data and historical records and trend verification under general supervision.
- Data Documentation: Documents data in lab notebook and follows basic cGMP guidelines.
13. Chemist General Responsibilities
- Risk Assessment: Participate in activity-based risk assessments.
- Lab Environment: Work in an office/lab environment with duties primarily performed in lab.
- Team Collaboration: Work in cross-functional teams to support new technology research, new product development, and sustaining engineering efforts.
- Requirement Development: Interface with interdisciplinary engineering team to develop product design requirements and design validation test plans.
- Instrument Testing: Perform lab testing with analytical instruments, such as analytical balance, pH probe, oxygen sensor, conductivity sensor, UV-Vis spectrometer.
- Data Analysis: Collect, document, and analyze testing data.
- Result Communication: Interpret and communicate test results in the format of test reports and presentations.
- Solution Preparation: Prepare chemical solutions and samples according to established recipes and procedures.
- Recipe Development: Support the development of new recipes.
- Lab Maintenance: Maintain lab safety, cleanliness, equipment, and supplies.
14. Chemist Roles and Details
- Material Evaluation: Perform chemical laboratory testing and processing to evaluate new materials for use in the disc drive and qualify disc drive components manufactured by Suppliers according to company safety and quality standards.
- Product Testing: Conduct hands-on bench work to evaluate products and technology using industrial, national, and/or international standards and test methods.
- Constituent Analysis: Identify, quantify, and analyze the chemical constituents in each material of construction.
- Process Analysis: Identify, quantify, and analyze the chemical substances used in the disc drive manufacturing process, including processing aids and residues.
- Emission Analysis: Identify, quantify, and analyze the release of chemical substances from the device.
- Data Entry: Enter new raw materials and formulation data into the laboratory database systems.
- Instrument Calibration: Assist with maintaining and calibrating laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Report Preparation: Conduct analysis and prepare technical reports that include methods and findings.
- Job Scheduling: Arrange daily lab jobs and monitor equipment maintenance.
- Waste Treatment: Research treatment methods and conduct waste treatment experiments.
15. Chemist Responsibilities and Key Tasks
- Solution Development: Develop technical solutions using existing and new technologies, methods, etc.
- Work Planning: Transform the request objectives into work plans for lab team, analyze & interpret experimental results.
- Method Development: Develop new methods and procedures for testing or analysis within the lab team.
- Customer Alignment: Constantly discuss and align analytical activities with customers and the global team.
- Partner Advising: Proactively advise customer or internal partners.
- Quality Monitoring: Monitor quality of the work in the lab and of the data delivered to the customer, and monitor time targets (e.g. data delivery date to customer).
- Result Presentation: Present and document results.
- Team Supervision: Organize and supervise roles, responsibilities and work routines within the lab team, and instruct, coach the lab team.
- Team Motivation: Develop, motivate, and inspire lab team members.
- Trend Analysis: Continuously observe, analyze and assess scientific and technical trends in analytics.
- Literature Evaluation: Closely follow and evaluate scientific literature, publications, and draw conclusions for the company.
Editorial Process and Content Quality
This content is part of Lamwork's career intelligence platform and is developed using structured analysis of real-world job data, including publicly available job descriptions, skill requirements, and hiring patterns.
Lam Nguyen, Founder & Editorial Lead, defines the research framework behind Lamwork's career intelligence platform, including job role analysis, skills taxonomy, and structured career insights.
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