How to become An Agricultural Chemist

• Food Chemist

• Research various agricultural aspects, such as the chemical compositions and changes in livestock production and animal feed
• Research sustainable ways to improve the productivity of field crops and animals
• Research how humans ensure food and fibre availability to meet their own requirements and how they organise feed for their animals 
• Study soil, its types and composition to understand plant growth and how to improve soil quality and production
• Conduct experiments in laboratories and greenhouses; collect data from farms and processing facilities; create reports and meet with colleagues
• Devise cost-effective production methods based on experiments with plant yields, animal reproduction & nutrition and farm management
• Find methods to regulate the cause and impact of biochemical procedures as associated with plant and animal growth
• Liaise with other scientists, including biochemists, toxicologists and biologists, to ensure that stakeholders adopt practices that are as sustainable as possible
• Prepare detailed notes of the research process to create and present reports on the findings 
• Convey the experimental findings to scientists and also the non-scientific community, such as food producers and the public
• Monitor the sale and purchase of various agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides or herbicides

Agricultural Chemists typically work in a laboratory setting that may contain a simulation of their testing environment. However, you may also work in offices or the field. 

You may also spend long hours examining agricultural farms, collecting food or environmental samples, reviewing field trials, and studying data reports, processing plants and distribution channels. 

Domestic or international travel may be required to visit clients and their farms or production plants. 

 Agricultural Chemists typically work full time, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m, Monday to Friday. You may need to work beyond regular hours to visit farms at times suitable for farmers, evenings in particular, or to meet project deadlines. Part-time work is also possible.  

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Agricultural Chemists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Agricultural Chemists  are generally employed by:

• Agricultural Divisions of Chemical Companies
• Educational Institutions
• Food Companies
• Government Agencies
• Independent Research Firms

 Professional associations and organisations, such as the AOAC (Association of Official Agricultural Chemists) INTERNATIONAL, are crucial for Agricultural Chemists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Risks associated with working with specialised equipment and hazardous chemicals 
• Tolerance towards harsh agricultural and food production environments such as cold storage temperatures, loud machinery and unpleasant smells
• Long working hours without sufficient breaks increases susceptibility to burnouts and mental frustration
• Lack of work-life balance

Any academic program that a potential Agricultural Chemist takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. 

While recruiting aspiring Agricultural Chemists in entry-level jobs, employers value any form of pre-industry and first-hand work experience. It boosts your resume and allows more significant career advancement. 

Consider applying for internships and summer placements in the production line in food companies. The important takeaways from these experiences should be the network you build and the professional work environment that you witness.

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in agricultural chemistry to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. 

To become an Agricultural Chemist, you must complete a bachelor’s degree or higher in chemistry or allied subjects such as botany, geology or biochemistry. Such degrees include courses in human toxicology, water and soil chemistry and food science, which create a solid technical base for real-life practice while pushing students towards product development.

Take high school classes in biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics to build a strong foundation of knowledge before entering technical schools and universities.

Licensing requirements for Agricultural Chemists vary across the world. Only graduates of four-year bachelor degrees are eligible to apply for licenses, which also require you to pass an exam. 

Certification demonstrates an Agricultural Chemist’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination.  Certifications, although not necessary, add immense value to your resume.  Successful certification programs for Agricultural Chemists protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. However, career progression in this industry largely depends on your employers, and you may have to move between employers to gain promotions or increased salary levels.

Most Agricultural Chemists begin their career as trainees and move up as they gain more experience. If you work in large organisations or government laboratories, you may be promoted to senior management positions with greater responsibility to oversee a team of experts and resources. 

You may even choose to specialise in one area of agricultural chemistry or move into an allied scientific field. You may decide to move into a business area, such as sales, or even start an independent endeavour. 

Larger companies offer better opportunities for career flexibility, while small and medium enterprises give greater responsibilities early on in your career. 

Agricultural Chemists are very much in demand in developing countries, where farming techniques are still developing. Moving to such countries to help improve farming and livestock practices is a solid option. 

You could also take appropriate courses to diversify into related areas such as food inspection.

Finally, after completing the necessary educational requirements, Agricultural Chemists may also teach in universities and vocational schools. 

Candidates with a master’s degree in food science and prior work experience have the most successful job prospects.

Completing a master’s degree in chemistry or relevant subjects is recommended if you plan on working in research-oriented positions. Areas of study in a master’s program may include food biotechnology or bioscience, food chain systems, food production management, food safety or food quality management, food science & technology, and nutrition. Further, a PhD in advanced topics such as genetics, agronomy and biotechnology is necessary to teach and research in universities. Coursework in statistical analysis and experiment design is helpful for PhD candidates.  

Besides formal education, continuing education (CE) courses are recommended to upskill yourself and ensure proficiency in technical skills and interpersonal relations, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Some large organisations offer graduate training schemes with additional training as needed. They may also have continuing professional development (CPD) programs that allow employees to take courses or attend seminars on various subjects, such as bioscience, food hygiene & management and food production systems. Smaller enterprises offer on-the-job training, but you may need to seek out additional CPD opportunities on your own.

How to Get a Job as an Agricultural Chemist

To bag a top-notch job as an Agricultural Chemist, you must equip yourself with a relevant degree and technical skills that you have acquired by taking advantage of research opportunities. Ace your interview as it could be the puzzle piece that completes the picture. 

Before you begin applying for jobs and sending your resume, compare and contrast various firms on factors such as salary, career advancement opportunities, research areas, professional development and job satisfaction. Ensure that your resume provides ample evidence of the substantial research that you should ideally have undertaken to gain a competitive edge in the job market.

Types of Agricultural Chemists

Agricultural Chemists work in various areas. Broadly, they are divided into Animal Scientists, Food Scientists & Technologists and Soil & Plant Scientists. 

Animal Scientists study the domestication of farm animals consumed for meat, their reproduction & development, and diseases in or stemming from them. 

Food Scientists & Technologists study nutrition, food manufacturing, and making mass-produced food items more appealing or nutritious. They come up with effective ways of preservation, packing and distribution. 

Soil & Plant Scientists study the soil, its chemicals, composition and properties to encourage plant growth. 

When developing commercial ice cream products, scientists add gums and emulsifiers such as egg yolk to create a creamy body and prevent excess ice crystal growth. 

Agricultural Chemists play a pivotal role in monitoring A country’s food supply. They lend their expertise to help farmers and producers on various issues. They assist in the management of diseases, pest infestations, excess crop supply and unseasonal weather to ensure adequate food supply for all. If food science, research and policy interest you, then Agricultural Chemist may be the job for you.  

Curiosity is a crucial element for success as an Agricultural Chemist. Only someone curious about food and food production will understand its processes and mechanism without taking them for granted.