About This Career

Conducts qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Science and Mathematics pathway.

A person in this career:

• Develops, improves, or customizes products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
• Analyzes organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
• Induces changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
• Conducts quality control tests.
• Writes technical papers or reports or prepares standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
• Maintains laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoots malfunctions when needed.
• Prepares test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
• Compiles and analyzes test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
• Confers with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
• Evaluates laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel