What does an applications chemist do?
Applications chemist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real applications chemist resumes:
- Manage personnel in testing and support of TOC software and hardware features.
- Test developmental compounds to ASTM standards and manage certification submissions.
- Follow USEPA RCRA, SW-846, UST and NPDES protocols.
- Perform asset valuation by HPLC/ UPLC and the preparation of final report.
- Assist in ISO base development of IQ-OQ-PQ procedures for installation of NIR sensors.
- Exhibit the viability for improvements to EPA and USP methodology using new Agilent GC columns phases and formats.
- Develop buffer compositions for HPLC base separation techniques for small molecules using size exclusion, ion-exchange and reverse phase columns.
- Perform LC/MS applications experiments in support of sales and marketing efforts on various instrument platforms including LTQ XL, LTQ-Orbitrap XL.
- Perform optical alignment, calibration and troubleshooting of HPLC detectors.
- Evaluate and compare GC capillary column performance of several manufacturers.
- Process laboratory data to ensure efficiency of plant operations and troubleshoot unexpect conditions to prevent an upset within the plant.
- Execute manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's) on the kilogram scale.
- Perform scale up and optimization of chemical transformations utilize in the preparation of API's.
- Perform testing on gas chromatograph to verify PCB contamination levels.
Applications chemist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Applications Chemists are proficient in R, Analytical Methods, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Applications Chemists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- R, 10%
Used R, SSL, and SQL programming to identify and fix multiple processing and GUI problems with StarLIMS v9.
- Analytical Methods, 8%
Develop and demonstrate analytical methods using specialized GC columns and instrumentation for practical application in testing laboratories.
- Technical Support, 7%
Provided technical support to various departments.
- Method Development, 6%
Trained application chemists in method development and supervised the laboratory and technicians.
- Mass Spectrometers, 6%
Develop high throughput assays for the absolute quantization of protein expression levels on tandem mass spectrometers.
- Liquid Chromatography, 5%
Developed pharmaceutical testing methods, wrote applications notes, and created training seminars and marketing literature for liquid chromatography applications.
Common skills that an applications chemist uses to do their job include "r," "analytical methods," and "technical support." You can find details on the most important applications chemist responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an applications chemist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what applications chemists do because "chemists and materials scientists need to evaluate the results of experiments to ensure accuracy in their research." Additionally, an applications chemist resume shows how applications chemists use analytical skills: "analyzed results on ms excel and generated graphs and reports. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling applications chemist duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "chemists and materials scientists must be able to convey information clearly in reports and presentations for both technical and nontechnical audiences." According to an applications chemist resume, here's how applications chemists can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "conduct osha hazard communication and dot hazard materials training to all facility chemists. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for applications chemists to perform their duties. For an example of how applications chemist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "chemists and materials scientists regularly use calculus, algebra, statistics, and other math for calculations." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an applications chemist: "collaborate with analytical chemist on method development of gcms for quantitative analysis of major fragrance molecules. ".
Organizational skills. For certain applications chemist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of an applications chemist rely on this skill, as "chemists and materials scientists must document processes carefully when conducting experiments, tracking outcomes, and analyzing results." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what applications chemists do: "well versed in implementing standard operating procedures, organizational policies, and analytical methodologies accurately and consistently. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in applications chemist job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what applications chemists do. Applications chemist responsibilities rely on this skill because "chemists’ and materials scientists’ work involves posing questions during research and finding answers through results." You can also see how applications chemist duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "responded to technical service calls, supported key projects, technical service requests and resolved customer complaints. "
Time-management skills. Lastly, "time-management skills" is an important element of what an applications chemist does. Applications chemist responsibilities require this skill because "chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines and must be able to prioritize tasks while maintaining quality." This resume example highlights how applications chemist duties rely on this skill: "coordinated all auditing within analytical research and development which improved output of method validations and all finished product testing deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most applications chemists are:
- Agilent Technologies1 applications chemists jobs
- Sun Chemical
1 applications chemists jobs
- Beyond Meat1 applications chemists jobs
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Compare different applications chemists
Applications chemist vs. Chemist, development
A development chemist is responsible for delivering products that are specially created for a customer. You will be responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses for process or quality control. Other tasks that you will perform include researching chemical substances, conducting laboratory experiments, and evaluating the effects of chemical compounds in different situations. Additionally, you will be responsible for determining chemical properties by analyzing compounds and helping resolve quality issues. As a development chemist, you are also responsible for evaluating safety procedures in laboratories and maintaining laboratory equipment.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, applications chemist responsibilities require skills like "mass spectrometers," "test results," "lc/ms," and "customer samples." Meanwhile a typical chemist, development has skills in areas such as "laboratory equipment," "gmp," "analytical procedures," and "gc-ms." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Chemists, development tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $85,660. In contrast, applications chemists make the biggest average salary, $68,688, in the manufacturing industry.On average, chemists, development reach similar levels of education than applications chemists. Chemists, development are 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Applications chemist vs. Research and development chemist
A research and development chemist primarily works at laboratories to conduct extensive tests and experiments aiming to develop new products and technologies. Although the extent of their duties may vary, it typically revolves around conducting research and studies, observing chemical reactions, maintaining records and databases, collaborating with fellow experts, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing components or mixtures. They can find employment in different areas, such as manufacturing companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and even education.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real applications chemist resumes. While applications chemist responsibilities can utilize skills like "mass spectrometers," "lc/ms," "customer samples," and "spectrometers," research and development chemists use skills like "laboratory equipment," "synthesis," "d chemist," and "gmp."
On average, research and development chemists earn a higher salary than applications chemists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, research and development chemists earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $82,941. Whereas applications chemists have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $68,688.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Research and development chemists tend to reach similar levels of education than applications chemists. In fact, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for applications chemists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Applications chemist vs. Product development chemist
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from applications chemist resumes include skills like "technical support," "mass spectrometers," "lc/ms," and "customer samples," whereas a product development chemist is more likely to list skills in "lab equipment," "qc," "test methods," and "gmp. "
Product development chemists make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $84,696. On the other hand, applications chemists are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $68,688.Most product development chemists achieve a similar degree level compared to applications chemists. For example, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Applications chemist vs. Wet chemistry analyst
Types of applications chemist
Updated January 8, 2025
