Creativity is not merely the domain of an artist. An Organic Chemist also exercises creativity while making groundbreaking contributions to organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or chemical biology by discovering new drugs and vaccines. The synthesis of different molecules translated into practical use... Continue Reading
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Explore Career Creativity is not merely the domain of an artist. An Organic Chemist also exercises creativity while making groundbreaking contributions to organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or chemical biology by discovering new drugs and vaccines. The synthesis of different molecules translated into practical uses is an exciting and crucial process for humanity’s wellbeing.
What are the typical responsibilities of an Organic Chemist?
An Organic Chemist would typically need to:
Organic Chemists spend most of their time at a lab and the rest at a desk or in meetings. Work in the lab comprises conducting experiments and analysing results over long periods but always following health and safety guidelines. They may have a workstation in the lab or a separate work area.
Organic Chemists usually work in small multidisciplinary and collaborative project teams. Some work with engineers and processing specialists in industrial manufacturing facilities. Travel is unusual but might be necessary to meet clients or attend conferences or if your company has multiple facilities.
Organic Chemists typically work full time, abiding by regular hours. Some evening and weekend work helps to complete time-sensitive laboratory experiments, meet deadlines, or undertake independent research.
Part-time work and short-term contracts are also possible.
Look for job vacancies on general websites or those specific to jobs in the field of science, particularly chemistry. University job portals, graduate careers websites, directories and membership lists of relevant associations, and employer websites are valuable resources, too. You can explore temporary and permanent roles that specialist recruitment agencies advertise.
Many organic chemistry opportunities cluster around the locations of universities, large employers, and science parks. Internationally, there are areas of drug discovery activity in Switzerland, Germany, Japan and the US, while India and China are growth areas for contract research organisations.
Organic Chemists are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations are a crucial resource for Organic 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.
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. It is the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, and other critically evaluated data. They offer conferences, peer review and publishing opportunities, technical information resources, and awards to members. The IUPAC also collaborates with other organisations on joint projects.
It is crucial to supplement your educational qualifications with relevant academic research or industrial work experience. For research experience, volunteering at a lab or assisting in your professor’s research at university are both viable paths. Summer research placements are also possible in universities. Specialist modules or research during your bachelor’s degree, for instance, through cooperative programs offered by some universities, will refine relevant skills.
You may seek internships and shadowing opportunities in both general and organic chemistry. Pharmaceuticals and other companies in healthcare and life sciences research typically offer internships in or related to organic chemistry. While you may contact firms directly, websites can also be a valuable resource in finding such opportunities.
Aspiring Organic Chemists need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Organic chemistry is generally included in the curriculum of the undergraduate chemistry program and also as an elective.
For some entry-level jobs, such as a research assistant or in analytical positions, a bachelor’s in chemistry alone can be enough. However, it may open many more doors career-wise to opt for a master’s degree in organic chemistry - or in general chemistry, but with a concentration on organic chemistry - especially if you are interested in a career in academia. Check if your choice of university offers integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Some firms, especially pharmaceuticals, or academic/research positions, may also prefer candidates with doctoral degrees, particularly to head basic or applied research teams.
Take computer science courses to enable you to undertake modelling and simulation tasks, manage and manipulate databases, and operate computerised laboratory equipment.
Certification demonstrates competence in a skill or set of skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you gain professional credibility, build your expertise in a specific area, and stay up-to-date on technology. Voluntary certification is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions.
Individual government entities conduct licensing. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression into more senior scientific roles, as does the size and nature of your organisation. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
Pathways into senior positions include leading the scientific work of a department or company or moving into organisational management and leadership roles. Organic Chemists with a PhD usually lead research teams and manoeuvre the direction and content of projects. With growing experience and proficiency, they may head more large-scale, complex, and expensive projects, overseeing the functioning of a wider multidisciplinary team. Of course, this may mean less lab time and more office-based work.
Some chemists step into the position of natural science managers. Your role may also become more client-facing. More extensive industrial experience may qualify you to diversify into regulatory affairs, intellectual property (patent work), or other roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing and development.
Job competition is very high for Organic Chemists. Applicants with laboratory experience outside of a classroom environment, such as through a cooperative program or internship, are likely to encounter better employment prospects after graduation.
Training on the job will typically foster the specific skills and knowledge that you require to undertake research. Working in a team with more experienced scientists will allow you to learn from them through team meetings and project discussions. Stay current with new developments and research by reading scientific journals and attending conferences or training events, whether in-house training and development programs or independent research and even complete a PhD on a part-time basis.
Joining a professional body for chemists can provide career support, the latest news, and peer-networking opportunities. You can also gain accredited status in specific locations by providing evidence of your scientific skills, impact, and professionalism.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of Organic Chemists towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a whole host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.
CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables Organic Chemists to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism.
The central concern of CPD is that of lifelong learning with its application to professional lives. CPD is more than just a policy or some form of bureaucratic procedure. It is not just a set of boxes to be ticked mindlessly. It is value-laden and embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT.
Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, professional publications serve to educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Organic Chemists.
Chemistry research has led to the discovery and development of new and improved drugs, plastics, fertilizers, flavours, batteries, cleaners, and thousands of other products. A growing number of chemists work in interdisciplinary fields, such as biochemistry and geochemistry. Chemistry graduates may also choose to enter academia as post-secondary or high school teachers. Typically, chemists specialize in any of the several branches of the field.
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemists study the structure, properties, and reactions of molecules containing mainly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They also design and synthesize new organic molecules with unique properties and can be used to develop many commercial products such as pharmaceuticals and plastics.
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical chemists detect, identify, and characterise the structure, composition, and nature of substances by studying essential properties and their elementary building blocks. They carry out method development using new analytical techniques. Their research contributes to a wide range of applications, such as food safety, healthcare, and pollution control.
Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Chemists analyse evidence for clues to help solve crimes. These chemists participate in criminal investigations by testing evidence such as DNA, interpreting their findings, and drawing conclusions. These chemists work primarily in laboratories, though they may sometimes testify in court.
Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemists study the structure, properties, and reactions of substances that do not contain only carbon, such as metals, minerals, and organometallics. Inorganic chemists figure out how these materials can be modified, separated, combined, or used for a wide range of applications, from ceramics to superconductors.
Medicinal Chemistry
Medicinal Chemists research, synthesize and develop chemical compounds for use as pharmaceutical drugs. They work on teams with other scientists and engineers to create and test new drug products. They also help improve manufacturing processes to produce new drugs on a large scale effectively, in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemists study the fundamental characteristics of how matter behaves on a molecular and atomic level. Using these studies, physical chemists may develop new theories in multiple fields such as quantum chemistry and thermodynamics to solve complex real-world problems. Physical Chemists often collaborate with other types of chemists.
Theoretical Chemistry
Theoretical Chemists investigate methods that can predict the outcomes or trajectory of chemical experiments using computational methods, mathematics, and informatics. Theoretical chemists often use advanced computation and programming for developing and investigating their ideas.
Green Chemistry
Chemists specializing in Green Chemistry design chemical processes and products that are environmentally sustainable, economically feasible, and minimize waste.
Materials Science
Materials Scientists specialise in ceramics, glasses, metals, nanomaterials, polymers, or semiconductors. They study the structures and chemical properties of various materials to develop new products or enhance existing ones. They determine ways to synergize the strengths of existing materials or develop new materials for use in various products.
Other types of chemists and materials scientists often work as part of a team. They may work together in basic or applied research. They use computers and various sophisticated laboratory instrumentation and equipment for experimental analysis, modelling, and simulation. For example, some chemists use three-dimensional computer modeling software to study the structure and properties of complex molecules.
Careers in Organic Chemistry
Carbon compounds are the basis of living organisms, energy sources, plastics, synthetic fibres, and medicines. Thereby, Organic Chemists find job openings in diverse sectors ranging from academic research to healthcare and other industries. As a result, you will find organic chemistry jobs in various industrial sectors.
Forensic Analyst
A forensic analyst tests water, soil, human, plant, and other types of samples for contamination through poisons or other substances. Most forensic science jobs are in police departments or government agencies. Supplement your chemistry degree with graduate degrees or courses in forensic science, DNA analysis, and even aspects of the law.
Environmental Chemist
An environmental chemist, investigates chemical processes in the environment that are affected by human activity such as construction, mining, and waste disposal, in particular hazardous products and pharmaceuticals. Enhance your expertise in organic chemistry with a master’s or doctorate in environmental science.
Food Scientist
Food scientists work to improve the nutritional value, taste, presentation, preservation, and packaging of foods for humans and animals. They also seek to improve food production processes and collaborate with nutritionists to adapt diets to the needs of athletes, astronauts, and people with specific medical conditions. Club your organic chemistry major with a master’s or doctorate in food science or nutrition to qualify for this research-intensive job.
Textile Chemist
Organic Chemists may work in the natural and synthetic textile industries. They investigate new methods of treating raw natural materials such as wool, cotton, silk, and bamboo for greater fabric appeal and durability and the chemical compositions of dyes. They also develop improved ways of producing polymer fibres like acrylics, polyesters and nylons. Synthetic textile manufacturers offer entry-level jobs for organic chemistry majors along with on-the-job training. Enhance your job prospects and salary with a master’s degree in textile chemistry.
Technically speaking, as an Organic Chemist, you would create new molecules and innovate better syntheses of existing compounds. Given the widespread presence of organic compounds, your work would percolate into the manufacturing of versatile and common products such as rubber, plastics, fuel pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergent, dyes, coatings, fertilisers, and other high-tech materials. Thus, practically speaking, you would play a crucial role in people’s daily lives, from the food that nourishes us to the medicines that heal us to the environment we live in, and more.
It may sound like a lot of work to keep up with organic chemistry, and it is; however, those who haven't the time to do it become subject to decay in the ability to teach and to contribute to the Science—a sort of first-order process the half-life of which can't be much more than a year or two.
Charles Goodyear found that combining rubber with sulfur allowed the rubber to be more durable across temperatures.
What do Organic Chemists do?
An Organic Chemist would typically need to:
Accredited
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