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Chemists (2112)

Job titles

Nature of work

Chemists conduct research and analysis in support of industrial operations, product and process development, quality control, environmental control, medical diagnosis and treatment, biotechnology and other applications. They also conduct theoretical, experimental and applied research into basic chemical and biochemical processes to create or synthesize new products and processes. Chemists are employed in research, development and quality control laboratories; chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries; mineral, metal and pulp and paper industries; and a wide variety of manufacturing, utility, health, educational and government establishments.

Fields of interest

  • Conducting research
  • Managing, organizing, administrating
  • Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

  • Chemists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Analyze, synthesize, purify, modify and characterize chemical or biochemical compounds
  • - Develop and conduct programs of analysis to ensure quality control of raw materials, chemical intermediates or final products
  • - Conduct programs of sample and data collection and analysis to identify and quantify environmental toxicants
  • - Conduct research to develop new chemical formulations and processes and devise new technical applications of industrial chemicals and compounds
  • - Conduct research to discover, develop and refine, and evaluate new products
  • - Conduct fundamental and applied research into the synthesis and properties of chemical compounds and the mechanisms of chemical reactions
  • - Investigate chemical aspects of the mechanisms of drug action, the diagnosis and treatment of disease, organ function and the assessment of health
  • - Participate in interdisciplinary research and development projects working with chemical engineers, biologists, microbiologists, agronomists, geologists or other professionals
  • - Act as technical consultant in a particular field of expertise
  • - May participate in the commercialization of new products
  • - May supervise other chemists and chemical technicians and technologists.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Chemists (2112)

Employment requirements

  • * A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline is required.
  • * A master's or doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research chemist.
  • * Licensing by a provincial association of chemists is compulsory in Quebec, and available but voluntary in Ontario and Alberta.

Skill type

  • Natural and applied sciences and related fields

Skill level

  • Professional

More information

  • * Mobility between occupations in this group is possible with experience.
  • * Mobility is possible to occupations concerned with plant management, technical sales and the development and management of regulatory programs and teaching professions.

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