With the manufacture and use of almost 50,000 different chemical substances, chemical graduates have a challenging future. Chemistry offers a wide field for study and work. Here we explore options with the study of chemistry.

Opportunities for graduate/postgraduates in chemistry exist in industries manufacturing textiles, petroleum products, rubber, plastics, agricultural products, papers, pharmaceutical, food, fertilizers, paints and even in cosmetic and other aromatic product manufacturing industries. The electronic, paper and pulp, metal, cement and aerospace industries also offer employment opportunities.

Chemical scientists find opportunity for work in water treatment, sanitary and sewage treatment plants. Food chemistry and technology incorporates the work chemists do in food flavouring, pet foods and food preservatives. These are the developing areas for research and production.

Postgraduates/graduates from the field of chemistry work in sales, marketing and management, patent and product liability law, chemicals business market research and public policy. Those with a PhD are absorbed in research labs. Army recruits women candidates for the Army Service Corps as Food scientists. Candidates are required to have a post graduate degree in organic chemistry/biochemistry of foods. Graduates in chemistry are enrolled for the Army Ordinance Corps. Chemists and chemical engineers are employed in consultancy firms to provide specialist guidance in areas related to their research speciality.

Chemistry graduates interested in the applied sector may choose from a variety of options like industrial chemistry, sugar technology, food technology, medical lab technology, pharmaceutical chemistry, paper and pulp technology, process instrumentation, textile chemicals, oils, paints, fine chemicals, dyes and intermediates and industrial polymer chemistry.

Apart from that chemistry graduates are recruited by pharmaceutical companies as Medical Representatives. They are eligible for BARC Entrance Examination for recruitment as scientists. Institutes and organisations such as Sri Ram Institute of Industrial Research and Dabur Research Foundation recruit science graduates as technical assistants. Like other graduates, chemistry graduates may appear for Entrance Examinations to the Civil Services & Banking Services. Jobs as scientists of various denominations are available through entrance examinations in CSIR, DRDO and other scientific organisations after post-graduation in chemistry or allied fields. Some companies recruit fresh graduates as Management Trainees and give them on-the-job training. 

Jobs with chemistry

The job of chemical scientists depends on their particular area of specialisation. They work in production and non production jobs. Non production jobs have professional specialists, technical and managerial staff, marketing and administrative personnel. Production work requires handling raw material and managing the production process as well as operating highly technical equipments.

Chemistry consists of the following sub fields in which chemists usually specialise:

Analytical Chemists are engaged in conducting chemical analysis of inorganic and organic samples to ascertain their composition, reaction and properties. They must report their findings to medical or other authorities and do statistical analysis.

Organic Chemists work with organic carbon compounds and specialise in petroleum, dyes, rubber, alcohol, oils, natural fats, organic acids, pesticides, organic compounds and their polymerisation and precipitate products which include plastics and soaps.

Inorganic Chemists work with metals, acids, salts and gases. Specialisation is in production of acids, salts, minerals, metals etc.

Physical Chemists work with metals, ores, gases, and different chemical elements and compounds to ascertain their physical and chemical properties, radioactivity, structures, atomic and molecular weights etc. Specialised work is in the area of electrochemistry, thermodynamics, chromatography etc.

Industrial Chemists are primarily engaged in testing samples from production lines.

Chemical Engineers design chemical manufacturing processes and equipments.

Chemical Engineering Technicians mainly work for the production processes. They work closely with chemical engineers for industrial production of chemicals.

Non production jobs – The chemical industry has executive, managerial, and administrative positions. Workers in sales and marketing departments promote the sales of chemicals and chemical products. They work with research and development chemists and engineers to help them develop new products. They also create marketing plans and inform customers about the company products and services.

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