Analytical Chemist

Job Description

Analytical chemists assess the chemical structure and nature of substances. Their skills are needed for a variety of purposes including drug development, forensic analysis and toxicology. Analytical chemists can specialise in areas as varied as toxicology, pharmaceuticals and forensics.ResponsibilitiesAs an analytical chemist your tasks can vary, but youll typically need to:prepare and analyse samples from various sources to provide information on compounds or quantities of compounds present use analytical techniques and instrumentation, such as gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion chromatography, electrochromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and spectroscopy (infrared and ultraviolet, amongst others), to investigate chemical compositions interpret data and meet strict guidelines on documentation when recording data review and evaluate experiments and analyses present scientific results to relevant teams write reports and research papers develop new techniques for the analysis of drug products and chemicals work collaboratively with cross-functional teams liaise with customers, staff and suppliers, as well as stakeholders and partners be aware of, and keep up to date with, health and safety issues keep up to date with the latest scientific and technical trends validate methods and equipment.What to expectYoull usually work in multidisciplinary teams and communicate with scientists and customers from both within and outside the company. The job combines laboratory work with computer-based work in an office. Jobs are available throughout the UK and tend to be concentrated in large towns and cities. Research and development (R&D) work can be more commonly found in the south of England. You need to be comfortable with working to tight deadlines and solving problems as quickly as possible. Routine analysis can involve doing the same job for long periods of time, although youre less likely to do this in more senior posts. Travel within a working day and absence from home overnight arent that common. If working for a large company, however, you may need to move between sites to help monitor safety conditions. Overseas travel is rare, although secondments abroad may be possible as you reach higher grades.

Keyskills :
organic chemistrychemical analysisanalytical chemistryinorganic chemistry