Chemist Job Description Template

[Intro Paragraph] The first section of your job description should serve as an elevator pitch about the role and your organization that illustrates your company’s mission, values, and culture. You might want to mention awards, accomplishments, the type of research your team conducts, and any other information that shows why your organization is a great place to work. Ambitious chemists will want to join an institution that provides lots of career advancement, professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities, so make these added benefits clear from the start.

Chemist Job Responsibilities: Different organizations, teams, and roles will require different things from their chemists. List what the job entails so that candidates immediately grasp the expectations of the position. Also be sure to mention if you’re looking for a chemist in a specialized field, such as forensics or waste management, so that qualified candidates will apply.

Common chemist responsibilities include:

• Conduct experiments and daily tasks following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Improve and develop SOPs, product creation, and the analytical approach.
• Analyze results and recommend the appropriate actions.
• Maintain product quality and make recommendations or adjust when necessary.
• Troubleshoot problems with laboratory equipment.
• Keep track of material and equipment inventory and order as needed.
• Help develop and enforce safety guidelines and comply with legal regulations.
• Keep the laboratory safe and organized and flag safety concerns.
• Prepare regular key performance indicator reports for stakeholders and executives.
• Train new laboratory employees and ensure they adhere to SOPs and regulations.
• Research and write white papers for publication on the company website or relevant academic journals.
• Document experiment steps, results, and analysis.
• Keep up to date on recent findings and research in the field.
• Represent the organization by speaking at conferences or with media outlets.
• Maintain product and research confidentiality.
• Answer customer questions and provide product and service information as the company subject matter expert.

[Work Hours and Benefits] Most professional chemists understand they will need to travel or spend an occasional early morning or late night in the field or laboratory. In this section, share what both the normal and extended hours might look like. Next, show how all their hard work will pay off by describing the benefits and perks you offer, such as health insurance, parental leave, tuition reimbursements, and performance bonuses. It’s also a good idea to include the salary range here if you know it. This way, candidates who won’t accept the job at that rate won’t waste time applying.

Chemist Qualifications and Skills: Use this section to specify the required skills for the position so candidates know whether they measure up. List a mix of hard and soft skills and specify which are required or “nice to have.”

Here are some examples:

• Strong research, problem-solving, writing, and analytical skills.
• Comfortable negotiating and working with colleagues, top executives, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in high-stress environments.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Critical mindset with the ability to work independently or on a team.
• Strong leadership skills with a can-do attitude and willingness to learn.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or a related field is required.
• Senior chemist roles may require a master’s degree or doctorate, depending on the seniority level and field of research.
• At least [number] years of relevant experience is required.

[Call to Action] Don’t leave candidates wondering how to contact you or apply. End your job description with the exact steps they need to take to learn more about the position or submit their resume, such as “contact us” or “apply now.” You don’t want all those great-fit candidates to walk away.