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Bench chemist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.,

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical bench chemist skills. We ranked the top skills for bench chemists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.4% of bench chemist resumes contained analytical methods as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a bench chemist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 bench chemist skills for your resume and career

1. Analytical Methods

An analytical method is a method used to determine the chemical or physical property of a substance. It is a procedure to determine the relationship between different variables. This method can be conducted by combining scientific methods with any kind of formal process to solve a problem or prove a fact.

Here's how bench chemists use analytical methods:

Developed analytical methodologies and validations.
Perform analysis of finish and stability samples according to analytical methods, specifications, protocols and/or laboratory procedures within established dates.

2. HPLC

Here's how bench chemists use hplc:

Reduced atypical results by proficiently maintaining and troubleshooting HPLC.
Supported Project Management by the thorough execution of HPLC validation protocols.

3. Wet Chemistry

Here's how bench chemists use wet chemistry:

Performed basic wet chemistry testing on water and soil samples and thoroughly documented all results.
Performed numerous wet chemistry tests on environmental samples, specifically in charge of cyanide testing.

4. Method Development

Here's how bench chemists use method development:

Participate in method development and special projects and troubleshoot problems encountered in the Organic sample prep lab.
Involved in instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, data validation, method development, and assisting department in pesticide and herbicide analysis.

5. GC

Here's how bench chemists use gc:

Developed/validated a GC method for detecting and showing clearance of residual process chemicals in final product.
Controlled, repaired, maintained and calibrated of HP-5880 II GC instrumentation and performed glassware cleaning/decontamination for multiple extractions.

6. GMP

GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. It is a system that ensures that all products like food, beverages, and medicinal drugs that are produced comply with the quality standards. It helps in minimizing the risks and hazards that cannot be eliminated after the testing of final products.

Here's how bench chemists use gmp:

Performed work as a chemical analyst in a GMP production/ FDA regulated facility that manufactured pediatric and medical nutritional products.
Audited, scrutinized, reviewed and approved all manufacturing batch records following current GMP documentation guidelines.

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7. Environmental Samples

Here's how bench chemists use environmental samples:

Processed and tested environmental samples from areas around nuclear facilities to monitor any contamination.

8. Water Samples

Here's how bench chemists use water samples:

Analyzed polluted water samples for chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, and developed methods for regulatory agencies.
Maintained well documented laboratory records and analyzed various water samples to determine the presence of chemicals and solids.

9. Sample Preparation

Sample preparation stands for the processes through which a sample is extracted from a bigger amount and prepared for analysis. The objective of sample preparation is to better analytical results without compromising the actual material's integrity.

Here's how bench chemists use sample preparation:

Sample preparation, extraction and clean up techniques employed in wet lab.
Support and make suggestions to Ellipta QC testing for sample preparation, testing, and investigation.

10. PH Analysis

Here's how bench chemists use ph analysis:

Performed various tests ranging from pH analysis to Organic Extractions.

11. Particle Size

Here's how bench chemists use particle size:

Analyzed, interpreted, and reported particle size and other physical measurements based on client needs.
Conducted Particle Size Analysis (by Horiba-910) testing of all Raw material Samples.

12. Lab Equipment

Here's how bench chemists use lab equipment:

Performed verification and recalibration of lab equipment when required.
Performed maintenance on analytical instruments and lab equipment.

13. Titration

Here's how bench chemists use titration:

Performed extraction on crops to determine the percentage of the free fatty acid using petroleum ether by means of titration.
Conducted in-process QC testing of manufacturing materials as it relates to qualifications, quality inspections and titration.

14. FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services that regulates the production and sale of food, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and other consumer goods, as well as veterinary medicine. The FDA is now in charge of overseeing the manufacture of products like vaccines, allergy treatments, and beauty products.

Here's how bench chemists use fda:

Performed assigned studies in accordance with FDA, Good Laboratory Practice Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures with minimal supervision/instruction.
Performed quality testing in an FDA enforced environment for a variety of products while demonstrating good manufacturing practices.

15. UV/Vis

Here's how bench chemists use uv/vis:

Operated RFA, TRACS, UV/Vis, and Automated TOC systems.
Supported manufacturing operation and Stability using HPLC and UV/VIS.

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What skills help Bench Chemists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on bench chemist resumes?

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry Department, Boston College

Skills to identify and solve problems.

What soft skills should all bench chemists possess?

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry Department, Boston College

Problem-solving skills. When presented with a problem, knowing where to go to find information to solve it.

What hard/technical skills are most important for bench chemists?

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry Department, Boston College

Chemistry is a diverse field. As a foundational discipline, it enables several sub-fields and supports emerging new fields. As one example, our graduates become experts in medical research, health care, and scientists and engineers in many other fields. Depending on the different career goals, what is important can be drastically different. Generally speaking, doing bench work (either in the lab or on a computer) should be a good skill to have at graduation.

What bench chemist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Peter Rosado

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Georgia College and State University

I tell students to call their "gap" year more of a "Developmental" year. If a graduate desires to have such a year, they should focus on their whole goal, which means developing their professionalism and having other experiences. For example, travel to another country, learn a new language, intern at a company outside of the U.S., get involved further in the field of study. What stands out in candidates is how they made use of their time, skills that they acquired, and how they could weave them into the position they are applying for. That the candidate has had experiences outside of their comfort zone tells me as an employer that they are flexible and can adapt to new and unpredictable situations.

What type of skills will young bench chemists need?

Dr. Brian Augustine Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry and Chair, High Point University

Students always need foundational technical skills. In addition to skills specific to chemistry and biochemistry, strong communication and interpersonal skills such as writing, speaking, and collaboration are vital, as are quantitative reasoning skills such as data analytics, statistical analysis, and programming.

What technical skills for a bench chemist stand out to employers?

Dr. Paul Brandt

Professor of Chemistry, Chair, North Central College

We've seen that students with some instrumental expertise, e.g., HPLC and GC are able to have an advantage over others. Students should understand what is happening within the instrument (chromatography). However, it is still primarily the softer skills that employers are looking for and that on-the-job training is necessary for the employee to operate instrumentation or do other quality control methods in the laboratory.

Do you want to know more?

List of bench chemist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a bench chemist resume and required skills for a bench chemist to have include:

Analytical Methods
HPLC
Wet Chemistry
Method Development
GC
GMP
Environmental Samples

Water Samples
Sample Preparation
PH Analysis
Particle Size
Lab Equipment
Titration
FDA

UV/Vis
Lims
XRF
ICP-OES
USP
IR

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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