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Chemical research engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Michael Curry Ph.D.,

Peter Rosado

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical chemical research engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for chemical research engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 35.4% of chemical research engineer resumes contained chemical engineering as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a chemical research engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 chemical research engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering is an position that focuses on working with industrial companies' chemicals and compounds. The chemical engineer works with various combinations to create chemicals used for a whole range of products. The chemical engineering intern must have a background in chemical engineering and have the experiences needed to take on it.

Here's how chemical research engineers use chemical engineering:

Worked as a Chemical Engineering intern for the Chemicals Development Division in the Specialty Chemicals Process Improvement Department.
Developed detailed lab reports which exercised an understanding of advanced chemical engineering theory.

2. Synthesis

Synthesis refers to the process of combining a number of things to become something new. Depending on the field of work, this may mean combining ideas, products, and new influences into a new service or product. Overall, the process is focused on reviewing and analyzing different data points to make something new.

Here's how chemical research engineers use synthesis:

Managed Phase II SBIR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis membrane reactor for the U.S. Dep.
Maintained responsibility for manufacturing large-scale inorganic chemical synthesis.

3. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how chemical research engineers use r:

Developed a data extract validation application utilizing R that incorporates XML files to dynamically generate SQL statements for data reconciliation.
Conducted high dimensional data visualization and multivariate statistical analysis using R and SAS.

4. 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 chemical research engineers use analytical methods:

Developed, improved and customized samples, equipment, processes and analytical methods.

5. Chemical Processes

Here's how chemical research engineers use chemical processes:

Worked with Aspen and Excel software to better analyze chemical processes and create data sheets for presentations.
Tested techniques for filtration in chemical processes to assure quality of product.

6. Pilot Plant

A pilot plant is a small, pre-commercial production system that is operated to determine whether a process is feasible and sustainable before using it on a large industrial scale. It is an important test for new processes or equipment in hazard identification before production takes place on a larger scale.

Here's how chemical research engineers use pilot plant:

Supervised a pilot plant modification project including control upgrades and data acquisition.
Led all facets of pilot plant production and process scale-up providing clinical drug supplies to support clinical trials and program research.

7. LabVIEW

Here's how chemical research engineers use labview:

Contributed to and maintained an extensive library of LabVIEW virtual instruments for experimental automation, instrument control and data acquisition.
Coordinated and planned experimental boiler runs including the setup and design of experimental instruments and data acquisition using LabVIEW.

8. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how chemical research engineers use technical reports:

Authored and co-authored industry leading technical reports and managed junior engineers.
Shared progress with stakeholders via PowerPoint presentations and technical reports.

9. Analytical Instruments

Here's how chemical research engineers use analytical instruments:

Calibrated test system and analytical instruments.

10. CO2

Here's how chemical research engineers use co2:

Designed and tested novel super-critical CO2 extraction unit for biomass in collaboration with Edison Welding Institute.
Designed and built membrane operation units utilizing immobilized enzyme to increase the CO2 removal in the liquid phase.

11. Data Analysis

Here's how chemical research engineers use data analysis:

Developed a rigorous data analysis script in MATLAB.
Provided technical assistance to five graduate and undergraduate trainees in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and presentation skills

12. Distillation

Here's how chemical research engineers use distillation:

Optimized demonstration scale distillation portion of cellulosic ethanol process at Vonore, TN.
Conducted small scale experiments to optimize distillation column design for new full scale solvent recovery installation.

13. Research Projects

Here's how chemical research engineers use research projects:

Prepare proposals to submit to US DOE/NSF/Air Force in seeking US federal government funded research projects.
Developed ideas for both individual and collaborative research projects; authored and submitted corresponding grant applications to provide funding for research.

14. HPLC

Here's how chemical research engineers use hplc:

Performed biochemical and microbiological analysis of cover brine using HPLC and bacterial enumeration technique in selective and differential media.
Perform experiments for pathway testing and optimization, including enzymatic assays and metabolite detection/quantification using HPLC and GC- MS.

15. Aspen

Aspen is a medium-sized deciduous tree of the poplar family having leaves on flattened stalks and flutter readily even in the lightest wind.

Here's how chemical research engineers use aspen:

Validated ASPEN models to experimental results.
Conducted heat and material balances on the system using Aspen HYSYS, in-house Excel programs and hand calculations.

What skills help Chemical Research Engineers find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on chemical research engineer resumes?

Dr. Michael Curry Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Adjunct Associate Professor of MSE,, Affiliate Member of The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, and Founder/CEO of Eco-friendly Plastic Materials, LLC, Tuskegee University

-Able to work in team environments
-Excellent critical thinker
-Able to make critical data evaluations and interpretations and process adjustments
-Strong background in chemical processes
-Excellent communicator (writing, talking, reading)
-Strong problem-solving capabilities
-Excellent project manager
-Independent thinker
-Self-starter

What chemical research engineer 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 as a goal, which means not only developing their professionalism but have other experiences. For example, travel to another country, learn a new language, intern at a company outside of the US, 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 situations that are new and unpredictable.

What type of skills will young chemical research engineers need?

Steve Opoku-Duah Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Chemistry & Chair, Lipscomb University

Chemistry is a highly analytical and problem-solving discipline with strong connections with everyday human social problems, industry, and the environment. I expect chemistry graduates to develop robust analytical and critical thinking skills, competence in problem-solving, and adaptability at their workplaces.

What technical skills for a chemical research engineer stand out to employers?

Anthony Butterfield

Associate Professor, University of Utah

I would say the skills that stand out in an interview and early on in someone's career would be:
-Strong conceptual understanding of core engineering concepts. Knowing the exact form of, say, the fluid dynamics equation you need to use is less important than having a reflexive understanding of the relationship between pressure and flowrate. You can look up exact equations quickly, but foundational conceptual understanding of the physics needs to be at the ready.
-The ability to apply their technical understanding to innovate. Many students will graduate with the same ability to code, and the same understanding from core engineering courses. The skill that will bring extraordinary value to your workplace is the ability to creatively apply that knowledge.
-The ability to quickly and flexibly pick up new technical skills. People want new employees who are able to quickly pin down the gaps in their understanding, seek out the resources they need to connect it to what they do know, and then assimilate that new skill or concept into their work.

What soft skills should all chemical research engineers possess?

Christi Patton Luks

Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic Affairs, Missouri University of Science & Technology

Teamwork and communication skills are key! Everything is done with a team. You may be the expert on the process side of the project, but you need to have great communications with the mechanical team, the financial team, and those in operations. Everyone has a slightly different skill set and point of view, so it is critical that you make your concerns clear to the rest of the team, no matter their background. Another helpful soft skill is the ability to work with people from other cultures. Many companies are multinational, or their clients are in different countries. It can be tricky to set up a time to meet as a group when dealing with multiple time zones, but the cultural issues can also be daunting. The best way to build those skills is to get to know people of different backgrounds. A friend whose parents were born in Country X or has done a lot of travel can be incredibly helpful in warning you of cultural pitfalls.

What hard/technical skills are most important for chemical research engineers?

Christi Patton Luks

Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic Affairs, Missouri University of Science & Technology

We teach a lot of facts and theories. All of those are useful, but really the ability to problem solve and pull together the different things you've learned is what makes the difference. When I worked in the industry, I may not have solved a differential equation, but I had solved enough problems in school that I could recognize when the patterns I was seeing in real life had the correct trends. If the trend wasn't what I expected, I got to dig deeper to figure out why. Curiosity and a desire to dig deeper to solve a problem really help.

Do you want to know more?

List of chemical research engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a chemical research engineer resume and required skills for a chemical research engineer to have include:

Chemical Engineering
Synthesis
R
Analytical Methods
Chemical Processes
Pilot Plant
LabVIEW

Technical Reports
Analytical Instruments
CO2
Data Analysis
Distillation
Research Projects
HPLC

Aspen
SEM
Nanoparticles
Process Optimization
FTIR
Mathematical Models
PowerPoint

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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