Scientists work with everything of a chemical nature. Because in fact, everything, including that which is man-made or natural, is made of chemicals. For example, chemists and materials scientists are continually on the lookout for new information about chemicals. This type of research has led to the development of many new products we take for granted today including lubricants, electronics, drugs, cosmetics, paint, adhesives, and synthetic fiber in cloth.
These scientists are also always working on ways to save energy and reduce pollution. In addition, because much of chemistry is involved with studying living things, agriculture, medicine, and food products are among the things continually improved upon and developed within this field.
Types of work
Many scientists work in research and development. They may study how substances react to each other, determine what they’re made of, and figure out the laws that drive substance and structural behavior. In some research and development jobs, scientists can create new products or improve ones that already exist. This is how many of the materials we take for granted today were developed, in fact; materials such as rubber and plastic.
Today computers can do much of the work of helping scientists analyze complex data so that they can test chemical compounds and quickly find those with the properties they want. This means that they can produce many more compounds much faster and cheaper than was previously possible. For example, human-gene sequencing was possible because of this. Using this knowledge, chemists work with life scientists to develop new drugs for previously untreatable diseases.
Finding research scientist jobs, especially those that deal with the life sciences, is going to become easier as this field expands. This means that biologists, computer specialists, chemists, and engineers will work with each other to create new products needed by society.
Other job duties
Besides working in a laboratory to help cure disease and study life forms, a number of scientist jobs involve working in quality control and production for chemical manufacturing plants. These scientists prepare careful instructions for plant workers so that the products they produce will meet exact specifications, including government and industry standards. They also work to ensure that laws governing pollution control are met.
Education and training
For most research science jobs, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in your field. However, that’s the minimum; you usually need at least a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in chemistry or a related field.
Before you begin your career as a research scientist, take courses in mathematics and science; you should also like and be good at research, laboratory experimentation, and computer modeling.
In addition to following a degree course like what you’ll follow as a chemistry major, you’ll need to be very good in computers and physics. Mathematics, too, are important, as are statistical skills, since you’ll be using statistical techniques in your research.
When you first begin your job, you may start with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and work in quality control or assist in testing and research, sometimes under the direction of senior chemists in research and development laboratories. Before you can move up to becoming a supervisor in this type of work, you’ll usually need a Ph.D. or at least a master’s degree in the field.
Other qualifications needed
No longer does most research occur in an isolated laboratory; more and more, scientists work in interdisciplinary teams to solve problems. Therefore, you’ll need at least a basic understanding of economics, marketing or business. In addition, you’ll need to be able to communicate well orally, because you’ll be working with others and will need to be able to maintain open lines of communication, discussion, et cetera. This is especially important if you’re working on product or drug development. Finally, you’ll also need good written communication skills. Whatever you communicate must be written so that someone without a background in chemistry can understand it. That means, whether spoken or written, you’ll need to be able to break down what you’re talking about and put it into layman’s terms.
Compensation and outlook
Many research scientist jobs are in the manufacturing industry these days, as well as in the health industry, with new drug and chemical products in development. Competition can be quite fierce, especially for those just entering the field. Chemical manufacturing appears to be a declining job sector at the moment, and this area has provided a lot of the past opportunity. However, pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are hiring, so these areas are currently in the process of expanding.
Those with graduate degrees and especially with Ph.D.s will have the best opportunities. With the economy softening, layoffs are likely to occur, especially in the industrial chemicals industries. Median earnings for research scientists were about $60,000 annually in 2006.
