How to become An Analytical Chemist

• AC
• Quality Control Chemist  (QCC)
• Pharmaceutical Analyst (PHA)
• Chemist
• Scientist

What do Analytical Chemists do?

An Analytical Chemist would typically need to:

• Use various scientific methods to conduct routine and investigative analyses to understand the chemical composition and behaviour of known and new substances and assist academic research and industrial applications
• Contribute to diverse fields, such as pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, process development, forensic analysis, product validation, quality control and toxicology
• Assess project needs and select the most suitable preparation method and analytical technique to obtain appropriate answers; write or help draft and issue proposals or quotes to clients, if relevant
• Plan the analytical laboratory testing of materials to identify the absence or presence of various components or chemical entities within the samples and screen, qualify or quantify them
• Help develop new and improved analytical methodologies suitable for different applications
• Generate hypotheses, which predict the outcomes of a project, experiment or research proposal before it is launched; ensure that the appropriate risk assessments have been conducted before commencing work 
• Ensure compliance with established protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality, regulatory, company and health & safety standards; abide by timelines and budgetary guidelines
• Anticipate potential challenges and plan for resolution; alert the manager in case of unusual test results or other issues during chemical analysis
• Use delicate general laboratory equipment, such as burettes, and specialised and technical instruments, such as the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
• Prepare reagents and solutions according to SOPs; calibrate equipment and perform the appropriate periodic performance checks before use to ensure accurate, reliable and precise measurements and data collection
• Ensure instruments are qualified for performance and operation before conducting any GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) work
• Perform analysis using various techniques, such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, microscopy, wet chemistry, wet chemistry, electrochemistry and thermal-based analysis 
• Perform out-of-specification or deviation investigations if results are contrary to what is expected; conduct and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Record calculations, observations, experimental results and data systematically and accurately; interpret and analyse them, ensuring quality, accuracy, precision and repeatability; draw appropriate conclusions
• Summarise results and findings in the appropriate format, such as lab notebooks, technical reports, posters, certificates of analysis, presentations and research/academic papers for publications in journals
• Communicate progress and present scientific results to work teams, senior management and external stakeholders, such as clients and customers, through meetings, conferences, networking events, career fairs and webinars
• Maintain safe, organised, well-stocked and clean workspaces in the laboratory; conduct instrument cleaning and maintenance procedures 
• Help draft regulatory filings and perform the relevant analytical testing required for the dossier; facilitate product registrations by providing priority analysis, methodology and expertise to regulatory authorities worldwide
• Provide testimony to government agencies if called upon to do so
• Enhance technical leadership in the industry by training work groups and customers; train and supervise junior staff; schedule the team’s work
• Work within cross-functional and research teams that include experts in synthetic chemistry, quality assurance and manufacturing; collaborate with other Analytical Chemists to use complementary analytical methodologies 
• Understand applicable manufacturing processes, if needed, to ensure they stay on track; support active ingredient development, product formulation and packaging development
• Review the analytical data collected by peers to ensure its accuracy and integrity and sign off projects
• Stay up to date with the most recent scientific trends, technical innovations and technological advancement

Analytical Chemists engage in laboratory work to conduct experiments and research and also carry out computer-based analysis of results in their office. If they work in industrial manufacturing facilities, their work may be plant-based. You will likely work as part of a multidisciplinary team and liaise with science professionals who are colleagues or external to the company. You must also typically interact with customers, suppliers, technicians and process engineers.

Travel within a working day or overnight may be needed to attend conferences or visit company sites or clients to supervise safety conditions. You may also visit universities to use their research facilities, attend lectures or collaborate with academic researchers.

Laboratory work requires Analytical Chemists to wear protective clothing and safety gear, including a lab coat, gloves, goggles and masks. They must consistently abide by safety protocols and standards to minimise the risk of exposure to hazardous materials, illness or injury.

Analytical Chemists typically work full-time and keep regular work hours, 9 am to 5 pm. However, you may need to put in extra hours based on workload, project deadlines and samples or analysis schedules. Part-time and freelance consultancy work are possibilities, although companies, especially large ones, usually rely on in-house experts.

Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Analytical 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. The specific industry and role determine competition for jobs.

Analytical Chemists are generally employed by:

• Research, Development & Quality Control Organisations
• Specialist Research Organisations
• Contract Research Organisations
• University Research Departments
• Testing Facilities
• Biotechnology Firms
• Healthcare Facilities
• Public Health Agencies & Laboratories
• Forensic Companies
• Environmental Organisations
• Water & Wastewater Operations
• Food Processing & Agricultural Companies
• Chemical & Polymer Manufacturers
• Agrochemical Companies
• Petrochemical Companies
• Drug Discovery Companies 
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Mineral & Metal Companies
• Materials Manufacturers
• Analytical Instrument Manufacturers
• Food & Beverage Companies
• Ingredients Manufacturers
• Multidisciplinary Consultancies
• Government Agencies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), the International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry (IAEAC), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS) are crucial for Analytical Chemists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Professional associations provide their members with various continuing education and networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals and other health & safety hazards; consistently abiding by strict safety protocols to protect oneself and others
• Compliance with regulatory requirements
• Avoiding random, systematic and gross errors
• Ensuring minimal contamination or cross-contamination of samples during the sampling and preparation stage, which would otherwise introduce errors 
• Performing feasibility studies to identify the most suitable method for sample preparation and analysis for samples that have a complex matrix or have not been previously analysed
• Instrument breakdown and troubleshooting 
• Working extended hours to meet tight deadlines or solve problems at the earliest while balancing several projects
• Explaining time constraints (due to the limitation of the number of samples that can be prepared and analysed in a given amount of time) to clients who may have little or no knowledge of analytical processes and equipment
• Ensuring all analytical results meet the required quality standards and the acceptance criteria defined for the relevant quality controls of the particular method being run
• Being proficient in conducting various tests using diverse and sophisticated analytical instrumentation and remembering specifications for each one
• Collaborating and communicating with diverse scientific professionals, such as pharmacists, engineers and various stakeholders
• The repetitiveness of routine analysis or the complex nature of bespoke analyses 
• The need to be skilled in data analysis, including statistical analysis; interpreting and conveying complex data to non-technical audiences
• Potential resource crunch that can limit funding and access to specialised equipment, leading to difficulties in conducting research and completing projects
• Staying current with rapidly advancing instrumentation technology

Some academic programs require students to undergo a period of supervised laboratory experience through internships and work placements, which may also chalk up academic credit towards their degree. Aspiring Analytical Chemists will benefit from tasks outside of the classroom that align with lessons inside it and from observing senior Analytical Chemists as they conduct and complete experiments and research in the analysis of chemical compounds. One may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments. 

Even if your program does not mandate an internship, it is beneficial to strengthen the lab safety and other skills you acquire at college or university with experience in the workplace. You may identify and make use of research opportunities or laboratory assistant positions in your college or university or pursue summer internships, fellowships, apprenticeships or cooperative programs typically arranged by your educational institution in partnership with local businesses. 

Part-time work at an entry-level position or short-term paid/voluntary work as a laboratory technician in smaller companies offers a taste of the career, gives valuable insight into how a company or institution operates, helps build useful contacts and improves one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. 

The experience may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.

Senior Technical Specialist positions and career progression typically require candidates to hold a PhD degree paired with extensive laboratory experience. However, you may apply for entry-level roles with minimal or no experience, as some employers provide complete on-the-job training if candidates demonstrate essential knowledge and skills acquired through their academic programs. 

Even while in high school, you may begin to acquire scientific and analytical skills and experience by participating in science fairs. You may also check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some science-related extracurricular activities or volunteer with an organisation of interest, so you can have fun while learning about yourself and be directed toward a future career. 

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

Aspiring Analytical Chemists typically begin their post-secondary education by earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in applied/analytical chemistry or related subjects, such as physics, mathematics, environmental science, marine sciences, materials sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical science, forensic science and geochemistry. If you pursue a liberal arts program, you may major in chemistry and minor in other subjects. 

An associate degree or higher national diploma (HND) may land you an entry-level role, such as that of an analytical or chemical technician, which can be useful to fulfil the requirements of an apprenticeship degree that blends paid work with academics. 

However, a bachelor’s degree, which provides more in-depth knowledge and refines your laboratory skills, expands your scope of employment opportunities in various areas, such as agriculture, engineering and healthcare. 

Career progression and entry into managerial roles require at least a Master of Science (MSc) degree in chemistry or an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry. Studies at the level of a master’s degree deepen your chemistry-based subject knowledge and practical chemistry skills. Additionally, you build your research abilities by completing a research project which requires a thesis submission.

Depending on their scope and typically involving research and formulation, some roles require candidates to hold a PhD qualification, which allows them to concentrate on a specific branch of chemistry - physical, organic, inorganic or analytical. The doctoral program incorporates independent study, coursework, lab research and teaching. 

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field. 

Aspiring Analytical Chemists would benefit from taking high school courses in chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.

Certification demonstrates an Analytical Chemist’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

While requirements vary across regions and roles, certification may be mandatory to work as public analysts in certain locations. Make sure to check the requirements in your region. Some relevant areas in which you may acquire certification include analytical chemistry, quality management principles & practices, laboratory analysis, food science, engineering technologies and applied spectroscopy. Remember that you must demonstrate continuing education (CE) to renew your certification.

Analytical Chemists may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

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.

As their technical expertise grows, Analytical Chemists progress to higher roles, such as Senior Analysts, and start to take on greater and independent responsibilities, which include leading the development, optimisation and validation of analytical methods and training junior analytical staff. 

With adequate experience, qualifications and expertise, you may advance to lab management or project management roles and go on to head individual labs or research departments or become a subject matter expert/technical specialist in your field. You may eventually head a research facility or become a company's chief scientific officer (CSO). If you work for a multinational, you may receive overseas assignments.  

If you are interested in the field of education, you may acquire relevant qualifications to teach in schools. A PhD allows you to take up senior and specialised roles in industry, pursue industrial or academic research, or teach at universities. Science communication is an avenue you may pursue alongside your primary job. 

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.

Candidates with relevant and higher academic qualifications, research, laboratory and analytical skills, and experience in deriving quantitative and qualitative data from substances have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Analytical Chemist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to continually upskill regardless of age, job, or level of knowledge and stay current with the latest developments in the field.

Large companies may offer graduate training schemes that provide on-the-job training in relevant techniques to newly hired Analytical Chemists and also provide documented training procedures for future reference.

Throughout your career, you may take professional development courses in management, leadership, communication and IT or those that train you to use specialised laboratory equipment or software, often offered by suppliers. It is also important to take courses or undertake training to understand how to implement automation, AI modelling and simulation in analytical laboratories and projects to improve efficiency and productivity.

You may also build your knowledge and skills through continuing education by acquiring a master’s degree or a PhD in a specific area of chemistry. Higher education allows you to take on research and other significant responsibilities and roles at work. Analytical Chemists with a PhD often lead research teams and spearhead projects. Some employers support their employees in further studies and encourage them to acquire relevant certifications.

You may pursue academic or pure research to enhance your understanding rather than fulfil a specific purpose. If you engage in applied research, you will work towards developing commercially viable products or processes. Either way, you will collaborate with other science professionals from academia and industry.

Join professional organisations to network with other chemists and science professionals. Attending conferences, workshops, seminars and webinars also connects you with other professionals from academia and industry, broadens your knowledge and skills, and brings you in touch with research, job opportunities and advancements within the field. Some professional organisations may offer career guidance, certification options and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.

Analytical Chemists can expect support and additional training from the academic institution or from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience in enhancing the skills of researchers. In partnership with governments, funders of research, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.

A Brief History of Analytical Chemistry

While the roots of analytical chemistry can be traced back to the 17th century, Izaak Maurits Kolthoff (1894–1993), a Dutch-born American scientist and educator whose work spanned nearly 80 years, is considered the father of the modern form of this science. He brought cohesion and scientific principles into the diverse, unconnected and largely empirical methods of chemical analysis that existed in his time and helped them advance into forms as we know and use today. As a result, while in the early 1900s, Analytical Chemists may have been deemed laboratory technicians rather than scientists, they are now the source of critical information to healthcare, environmental studies, forensics, food & drug safety and other areas. 

Analytical chemistry continued to develop in the late 18th century, with French chemist Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier establishing the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions and coauthoring the modern chemical nomenclature. Based on his experimental work, he determined that chemical reactions with “oxygen,” as named by him, cause combustion and respiration. Lavoisier also discovered that water is a chemical compound of oxygen and hydrogen with the formula H2O rather than an element.

German chemists, Carl Fresenius and Karl Friedrich Mohr, helped advance the discipline in the 19th century. The first textbook of analytical chemistry is credited to Fresenius. He also built a laboratory at home where he trained students in gravimetric techniques he had developed. Mohr’s 1855 book on the technique of titrimetry sparked considerable interest in it, and he also created a colourimetric endpoint for silver titrations. His inventions include diverse laboratory apparatus, including the pinch clamp burette, volumetric pipette, cork borer and Mohr’s balance. Mohr is also renowned for his early enunciation of the conservation of energy doctrine.

World War II (1939-1945) brought about vast changes and growth in analytical chemistry as there was increased demand for complex samples of immense sensitivity to be analysed quickly and accurately. However, due to the need to maintain secrecy, developments came into common knowledge only in the late 1940s after the war ended. 

Analytical Chemistry in the 21st Century

Today, Analytical Chemists study all types of matter, metals, minerals, food, drugs, biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, and also soil, wastewater and other complex mixtures. Current advancements in the field are heading to simplifying and automating processes and miniaturising equipment and systems with the help of microelectronics, especially in spectroscopy, while ensuring optimal performance and reliable analytical results. For instance, innovative instrumentation has led to the development of portable benchtop devices, such as pocket-size Raman spectrometers that can be integrated with smartphones, facilitating out-of-laboratory work. Analytical chemistry has also contributed to developing point-of-care sensing devices, such as at-home COVID testing kits. 

The introduction of AI (artificial intelligence) modelling and simulation in analytical laboratories and projects aims to improve efficiency and productivity. The success rate of clinical trials progressing to stage two of the drug development cycle is growing with advancements in high throughput screening, supervised learning and deep learning. Computational models save lab and research time and costs while promoting green chemistry by helping conserve resources, such as reagents, lab kits and protective gear.

Branches of Chemistry

• Analytical Chemistry: The science of obtaining, processing and communicating data about the composition and atomic and molecular structure of substances; the analysis or identification of what matter is and its concentration.
• Organic Chemistry: The study of carbon-containing compounds.
• Inorganic Chemistry: The study of inorganic compounds, including metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds.
• Physical Chemistry: The study of chemical interactions, the principles of physics underlying them, and the behaviour of matter on a molecular and atomic level
• Biochemistry: The study of the structure, composition and chemical reactions of living organisms and how the organisms function to control them.
• Environmental Chemistry: The study of air, water and soil contaminants and their impact on human health and ecology.
• Materials Chemistry: The development, characterisation and application of organic, inorganic, polymeric and hybrid materials that possess potentially useful physical or chemical attributes; encompasses solid-state chemistry, polymer chemistry and nanoscience. 
• Theoretical Chemistry: The use of quantum, classical and statistical mechanics to understand and explain the structures of chemical systems and correlate and predict their thermodynamic and kinetic properties.
• Computational Chemistry: The use of mathematical models and computer simulations to study chemical processes, reactions and phenomena as well as understand and predict the behaviour of molecules and materials.
• Nuclear Chemistry: The science of nuclear reactions or reactions that happen within atoms, also aiming to enhance the efficiency and safety of nuclear power sources and the storage and disposal of radioactive materials.

What Do Different Types of Chemists Do?

• Analytical Chemists identify, measure and quantify chemical entities in various matrices, including pure substances or mixtures, to determine their structure, composition and nature. They may also develop new evaluation methods.
• Forensic Chemists test and analyse DNA and other evidence to help in criminal investigations. They may be required to appear in court as witnesses and present their findings as testimony. 
• Organic Chemists study the structure, properties and reactions of carbon-containing molecules. They also help develop organic substances as ingredients in new commercial products, such as medicine and plastics.
• Inorganic Chemists study the structure, properties and reactions of non-carbon substances, such as metals. They analyse other inorganic substances, such as ceramics and superconductors, to modify, separate or use them to create products or for other purposes.
• Physical Chemists analyse the behaviour of matter and how chemical reactions take place. Based on their findings, they develop theories related to topics such as complex structure formation. They also research potential applications of new materials.
• Theoretical Chemists could be computational or mathematical chemists or chemical informaticians. What is common to them is that they investigate abstract methods to predict the results of chemical experiments. While specialisations differ, many may touch upon some aspects of computer science, such as artificial intelligence.
• Medicinal Chemists engage in drug development and testing by researching and synthesising chemical compounds and helping develop, improve and scale up the manufacturing processes for new drugs. They help develop new techniques to analyse pharmaceuticals, determine drug interaction with other medicines or the body of organisms, and ensure precise amounts of impurity-free and stable drugs in medications. 
• Chemists who have taken on the role of Data Scientists assimilate and organise analytical data generated to improve its accessibility constantly. They work on building predictive models/modelling and simulation capabilities and push the boundaries of analytical chemistry to intersect with artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications.

Chemical Analysis

Measurements lie at the core of chemical analysis, categorised into two types based on how assays (procedures to determine the quality or strength of a substance) are conducted.

• Classical or Wet Chemical Analysis: It employs techniques that need a balance but no other mechanical or electronic instruments. The analysis mostly depends on the chemical reactions between the analyte (material being analysed) and a reagent added to it, and the resultant product, perhaps a coloured one or a solid precipitate, which Analytical Chemists detect and measure. 
• Instrumental Analysis: It is the more frequently used methodology and employs various instruments besides a balance. The instrumentation may characterise the chemical reaction between the analyte and reagent or measure analyte properties.
  Until the end of the 19th century, most assays were performed using classical methods even though simple instruments, including photometers and electrogravimetric analysis apparatus, were available by then.
  The use of instrumental analysis, which developed in the 20th century, was further encouraged in laboratories by the development of electronics during World War II, after which digital computers were widely available. However, despite most assays being instrumentally performed, some still require classical analysis.

Quantitative vs Qualitative Analysis

Qualitative analysis measures the quality of the material being analysed. In contrast, quantitative analysis gives the absolute or relative quantity regarding the concentration of one or more substances in a sample or compound.

Principal Stages of Chemical Analysis

1. Question formulation

2. Identification of which analytes are to be studied

3. Selection and standardisation of the analytical procedure

4. Feasibility studies to achieve optimal method, as required

5. Generating a plan of analysis

6. Sampling and ensuring sample integrity

7. Sample pretreatment or preparation

8. Analysis and calculations

9. Data analysis and interpretation 

10. Validation of method, as required 

11. Writing up a report or certificate of analysis, as required 

The accuracy of the analytical results depends on each stage of the analysis being correctly executed. Some Analytical Chemists prefer to separate the analysis from the assay, which represents the laboratory part of the analysis.

Some Essential Apparatus Used in Analytical Chemistry

• Glassware to measure volume
• Volumetric apparatus for quantitative analysis
• Bomb calorimeter
• Laboratory oven for drying
• Desiccator to store objects in a dry atmosphere
• Chemical reagents
• Analytical instrumentation
• High-speed cameras and thermal cameras 
• Weighing balances, pH meters, hot plates, filtration apparatus, thermometers, mixers/shakers, centrifuges, and liquid nitrogen (to freeze and crush samples, reduce reaction temperature, and sometimes to condense and collect gaseous products for analysis

Analytical Chemist vs Lab Technician

While job titles can differ across regions and companies and also depend on the scope of a role, lab technicians are typically assigned specific tasks, mainly running routine chemical analyses on samples at specified conditions and reporting the results. They are also generally in charge of maintaining equipment (instrumentation and apparatus), operating at the right conditions and ensuring consumables are fit-for-purpose and in stock. Lab technicians are likely to hold an associate or bachelor’s degree at the most since their work is not research-based but follows well-defined routes that do not require original thought. 

On the other hand, Analytical Chemists exercise their expert problem-solving skills and design capability derived from their comprehensive knowledge of chemistry. With their higher academic qualifications, they can independently conduct wet chemistry techniques, safely use various reagents, measure precise masses and volumes, and carry out complex calculations.

Current Scenario

The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year (for seasonal jobs), location, employment turnover (when people leave current jobs), occupational growth (when new roles are created), size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.

The job demand for Analytical Chemists is anticipated to grow but at a slower-than-average pace in the current decade. Opportunities are likely to arise in the field of environmental research that aims at reducing pollution and enhancing energy efficiency and pharmaceutical research to develop point-of-care testing (POCT) methods and devices which quickly and accurately detect infectious diseases and other health parameters, such as blood glucose, thereby helping minimise the impact of pandemics and other health concerns, such as diabetes.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Analytical Chemists have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, full-time Chemical Analysts have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Chocolate contains hundreds of chemical compounds, such as phenylethylamine caffeine and cannabinoid receptor activators. Some of these react with the brain and can alter moods.

With their unique blend of knowledge, analytical skills, creativity and critical thinking, Analytical Chemists play a vital role in innovation, enriching the quality of life and protecting the environment. Their work to identify, separate, isolate, measure, analyse and characterise the components of various chemicals, materials and biological samples takes scientific discoveries from laboratories to applications in diverse fields in the real world.

In addition to your technical expertise, research, problem-solving and IT skills, communication abilities, teamwork and systematic approach, you must build patience and perseverance to succeed in your analytical work, which may sometimes prove challenging. You may need to conduct experiments over several days or weeks and follow them up with data analysis, which can also take time.