What does an analytical chemist do?
An Analytical Chemist uses a wide range of methods to investigate the chemical nature of substances. They analyze samples using different software, techniques, and equipment, and then interpret and report the results.
Analytical chemist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real analytical chemist resumes:
- Perform analysis of organic components on various samples using GC, AA, and wet chemical analysis.
- Apply ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and AA to analyses of aqueous and acidic extracts of many geological materials.
- Analyze generic pharmaceutical preparations utilizing HPLC and dissolution apparatus to ensure content and uniformity in accordance with FDA and USP monographs.
- Develop novel FT-IR, UV/VIS stopped-flow kinetic methods.
- Conduct UV/VIS and wet analyses of consumer product samples submit.
- Develop ELISA and WB assays for host cell proteins and vaccine components.
- Provide technical data and information to CMC department for inclusion in regulatory submissions (NDA/sNDA).
- Review maintenance documents and ISO 17025 and ISO 9000 records for completion and accuracy prior to archiving and completion.
- Perform method verification and optimize methods for dietary supplements (multivitamins, herbals, protein powders) following USP guidelines.
- Develop methods for vanadium containing human blood serum samples to separate nitrate / nitrite and vanadium species using UPLC and ICP-MS.
- Perform testing in accordance with USP, ICH, FCC, JP, EP guidelines for raw materials and finish goods.
- Analyze environmental extracts for pesticides by GC
- Characterize major degradation products and process-relate impurities of raw materials using both HPLC /UPLC.
- Perform routine stability analyses for solid oral dosage formulations in a GMP environment.
- Operate and maintain volatile and semi-volatile GC/MS & GC instrumentation for organic analysis.
Analytical chemist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Analytical Chemists are proficient in Method Development, HPLC, and Laboratory Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Math skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Analytical Chemists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Method Development, 9%
Write method validation packages, method development history reports, method validation and transfer protocols, and method certification reports.
- HPLC, 8%
Analyzed generic pharmaceutical preparations utilizing HPLC and dissolution apparatus to ensure content and uniformity in accordance with FDA and USP monographs.
- Laboratory Equipment, 8%
Maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation in good working order, following appropriate procedures for usage, clean-up and maintenance.
- GMP, 4%
Performed calibration and qualification of equipment according to GMP procedures along with coordination of preventative and corrective maintenance work orders.
- GC, 4%
Key Accomplishments: Handled Volatile GC analysis and performed digestion and preparation of environmental samples for metal analyses.
- Ms, 4%
Generate custom trend data and reports using a combination of LIMS and MS Office programs.
Most analytical chemists use their skills in "method development," "hplc," and "laboratory equipment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential analytical chemist responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an analytical chemist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what analytical chemists do because "chemists and materials scientists need to evaluate the results of experiments to ensure accuracy in their research." Additionally, an analytical chemist resume shows how analytical chemists use analytical skills: "viewed and processed data using empower/millennium software per fda regulations. "
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling analytical chemist duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "chemists and materials scientists regularly use calculus, algebra, statistics, and other math for calculations." According to an analytical chemist resume, here's how analytical chemists can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "lead analytical chemist / method development method development of pharmaceutical compounds implementing quantitative and semi-qualitative chromatographic methods using waters uplc h-class. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for analytical chemists to perform their duties. For an example of how analytical chemist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "chemists and materials scientists must document processes carefully when conducting experiments, tracking outcomes, and analyzing results." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an analytical chemist: "well versed in implementing standard operating procedures, organizational policies, and analytical methodologies accurately and consistently. ".
Problem-solving skills. analytical chemist responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "chemists’ and materials scientists’ work involves posing questions during research and finding answers through results." This resume example shows what analytical chemists do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "performed dissolution testing for over 150 injection samples using hplc methods and implemented standard operating procedures in compliance with fda regulations. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for analytical chemist responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of analytical chemists all the time, as "chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines and must be able to prioritize tasks while maintaining quality." An excerpt from a real analytical chemist resume shows how this skill is central to what an analytical chemist does: "worked under tight stability deadlines with many projects coordinated simultaneously, within fda guidelines. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what an analytical chemist does. Analytical chemist responsibilities require this skill because "chemists and materials scientists must be able to convey information clearly in reports and presentations for both technical and nontechnical audiences." This resume example highlights how analytical chemist duties rely on this skill: "follow up communication with fda. "
The three companies that hire the most analytical chemists are:
- Eurofins25 analytical chemists jobs
- Kelly Services8 analytical chemists jobs
- Alphanumeric7 analytical chemists jobs
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Analytical chemist vs. Senior scientist
A senior scientist is usually in charge of overseeing experiments and evaluating junior scientists' performance, especially in laboratory settings. Moreover, it is also their responsibility to assess every progress report to ensure it's accuracy and validity. As a senior scientist in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage fellow scientists in their joint pursuit for scientific innovations, all while adhering to the laboratory's standards and policies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, analytical chemist responsibilities require skills like "laboratory equipment," "uv/vis," "analytical techniques," and "sample preparation." Meanwhile a typical senior scientist has skills in areas such as "patients," "molecular biology," "research projects," and "c++." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Senior scientists earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $107,016. On the other hand, analytical chemists are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $73,717.senior scientists tend to reach similar levels of education than analytical chemists. In fact, senior scientists are 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 27.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Analytical chemist vs. Postdoctoral scholar
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, analytical chemist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "method development," "laboratory equipment," "gmp," and "gc." Meanwhile, a postdoctoral scholar has duties that require skills in areas such as "chemistry," "python," "patients," and "nih." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Postdoctoral scholars earn a lower average salary than analytical chemists. But postdoctoral scholars earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,557. Additionally, analytical chemists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $73,717 annually.In general, postdoctoral scholars achieve higher levels of education than analytical chemists. They're 8.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 27.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for analytical chemists in the next 3-5 years?
Analytical chemist vs. Associate scientist
An Associate Scientist assists in various experiments and research, working under the direction of a lead scientist. Their specialties may include biological life sciences, geo-science, atmospheric physics, and computing.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, analytical chemists are more likely to have skills like "laboratory equipment," "analytical techniques," "lc/ms," and "analytical data." But a associate scientist is more likely to have skills like "chemistry," "patients," "cell culture," and "lab equipment."
Associate scientists earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $80,987. Comparatively, analytical chemists have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $73,717.Most associate scientists achieve a similar degree level compared to analytical chemists. For example, they're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Analytical chemist vs. Quality control associate
In a manufacturing setting, a quality control associate is in charge of conducting various tests to ensure that the products meet the company's standard criteria. Their responsibilities revolve around inspecting the workforce and workload involved in the production process, identifying errors or inconsistencies, recommending solutions and alterations, and maintaining records and documentation. Furthermore, as a quality control associate, it is essential to coordinate with department staff and produce progress reports, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between analytical chemists and quality control associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an analytical chemist might have more use for skills like "ms," "analytical techniques," "sample preparation," and "method validation." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of quality control associates require skills like "qc," "data entry," "usp," and "endotoxin. "
Quality control associates enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $54,631. For comparison, analytical chemists earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.quality control associates reach lower levels of education compared to analytical chemists, in general. The difference is that they're 5.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of analytical chemist
Updated January 8, 2025











