Automatically Apply For Jobs With Zippi

Upload your resume to get started.

Chemist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Rainer Glaser,

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

The hard skills a chemist will need for their job depend largely on the specific chemistry field and industry one works in. In general, one of the most important hard skills a chemist can possess is knowledge of analytical methods because analytics helps to make sense of scientific research. It's also important for chemists to have the hard skill of knowledge of procedures, and the potential ability to train others on these procedures.

When it comes to soft skills, chemists should have a strong sense of curiosity above all else. Chemists need to be able to record and keep track of data, so organizational skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical chemist skills. We ranked the top skills for chemists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.9% of chemist resumes contained chemistry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a chemist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 chemist skills for your resume and career

1. Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that tells us about the composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds. The processes these elements undergo and how they undergo change all come under the branch of chemistry.

Here's how chemists use chemistry:

Provide support to Technical Services Department in cleaning, packing and manufacturing investigations along with validation protocols in the Chemistry laboratory.
Take initiative to be cross-trained in chemistry methods used by the company to perform additional tests that ensure uninterrupted laboratory operation.

2. Lab Equipment

Here's how chemists use lab equipment:

Designed and fabricated pilot scale lab equipment simulating specific industrial processes to demonstrate the feasibility of novel chemical application concepts.
Ensured lab equipment properly calibrated and performed routine equipment repair and maintenance.

3. Test Results

Here's how chemists use test results:

Recognized atypical, out-of-specification, or known laboratory errors on test results, instrument malfunctions, or methodology problems.
Demonstrated the ability to communicate test results effectively with principal investigation team focused on providing exemplary quality data.

4. Product Development

Product development is the complete procedure of creating a product from concept until release of the final product. Product development has many stages after which a product is released into the market. Identifying the need, creating the opportunity, conceptualizing a product, and providing a solution, all are different stages of product development.

Here's how chemists use product development:

Helped plan, initiate, and conduct product development for solvent-based acrylic and block polymer rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives.
Investigate raw materials that impart exceptional characteristics in formulations performance, conduct compatibility testing to support product development.

5. Method Development

Here's how chemists use method development:

Involved in instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, data validation, method development, and assisting department in pesticide and herbicide analysis.
Completed study protocols for method development, method/process validation, method transfer, sample analysis and stability testing.

6. HPLC

Here's how chemists use hplc:

Identified protein and polymer-protein conjugates by size-exclusion and reversed phase HPLC.
Prepared Dietary Supplement samples and analyzed per established HPLC methods.

Choose from 10+ customizable chemist resume templates

Build a professional chemist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your chemist resume.

7. 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 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.

8. 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 chemists use gmp:

Performed work as a chemical analyst in a GMP production/ FDA regulated facility that manufactured pediatric and medical nutritional products.
Supervised and instructed laboratory chemist in a Good Manufacturing Procedure (GMP) facility.

9. 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 chemists use r:

Used R, SSL, and SQL programming to identify and fix multiple processing and GUI problems with StarLIMS v9.
Guide & support Energy Services R, D&E to meet and prioritize business goals.

10. GC

Here's how chemists use gc:

Controlled, repaired, maintained and calibrated of HP-5880 II GC instrumentation and performed glassware cleaning/decontamination for multiple extractions.
Performed analysis of organic contamination using GC and GC/MS instrumentation.

11. Ms

Multiple sclerosis, MS, іѕ a сhrоnіс disease thаt аffесtѕ thе central nеrvоuѕ ѕуѕtеm, іnсludіng thе brаіn, ѕріnаl cord, and орtіс nerves. In MS, the іmmunе system attacks mуеlіn - the рrоtесtіvе lауеr that surrounds nеrvе fibers. Multірlе sclerosis саuѕеѕ mаnу different symptoms, іnсludіng vision loss, раіn, fatigue, аnd impaired coordination.

Here's how chemists use ms:

Studied etching products via ICP/MS for classification of chemicals and elemental composition through calculation and mathematical adjustments.
Operated Agilent ICP/MS for low level metals analysis (ppb range).

12. 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 chemists use sample preparation:

Conducted numerous environmental analyses including separation extractions, metals digestions, TCLP extractions, and volatile sample preparations.
In-charged of the sample preparation including proper labeling, getting sample information and assigning laboratory control numbers.

13. UV/Vis

Here's how chemists use uv/vis:

Supported manufacturing operation and Stability using HPLC and UV/VIS.
Analyze formulation concentration using UV/VIS Spectroscopy.

14. Lims

A LIMS - Laboratory Information Management System is a software solution to improve laboratory productivity and efficiency with modern support of laboratory operations to address the challenges of data and sample management, automation, and regulation of laboratories from around the world and thus maintaining workflows and standardized testing and reporting procedures.

Here's how chemists use lims:

Recorded all laboratory data in lab notebooks and entered into a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
Started integration of automated data transfer into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

15. Test Methods

Test methods are the steps in which thorough testing is conducted in a laboratory setting.

Here's how chemists use test methods:

Authored/revised forms and revised test methods, standard operating procedures and other documentation.
Review test methods and recommend testing instrumentation to improve efficiency.

12 Chemist Resume Examples

Build a professional chemist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 12+ resume templates to create your chemist resume.

Create My Resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Chemists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on Chemist resumes?

Dr. Rainer Glaser

Professor and Chair, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Chemistry competence is key, of course. As a close second, chemists need to demonstrate effective team player competence. Communication skills are essential, in conversation and in writing. Effective collaboration requires highly developed skills to work with team members, peers, and leadership.

What soft skills should all 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 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 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 Chemists need?

Sami Mejri Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Science, Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs, Tiffin University

A college education is key to personal, professional, and intellectual growth and is considered one of the best vehicles for upward social mobility. However, in a globalized, interconnected, and ever-changing job market, a college degree is not enough. There is no guarantee that the graduate's first job will be directly related to their study areas. To this end, college graduates must be versatile in various domains and strive to acquire skills related to problem-solving, oral and written communication, and digital technology. Additionally, in a diverse workforce, graduates should embrace collaboration and teamwork, which require interpersonal skills and sensitivity to the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What technical skills for a 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 chemist skills to add to your resume

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

Chemistry
Lab Equipment
Test Results
Product Development
Method Development
HPLC
Analytical Methods
GMP
R
GC
Ms
Sample Preparation
UV/Vis
Lims
Test Methods
FDA
Analytical Techniques

USP
Troubleshoot
FTIR
PH Meter
Extraction
Data Analysis
AA
ISO
Analytical Data
GLP
Gas Chromatography
Stability Samples
Chemical Analysis
Titration
Liquid Chromatography
ICP-MS
Hazardous Waste

Analytical Instruments
Technical Reports
ASTM
Routine Maintenance
ION Chromatography
DSC
Water Samples
NMR
Method Validation
OOs
Laboratory Instruments
ICP-OES
API
Pharmaceutical Products
Karl Fischer
Sample Analysis

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.

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Chemist
Chemist Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs