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What does a chemistry lecturer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Rebecca Sarver
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Chemistry lecturer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real chemistry lecturer resumes:

  • Manage courses via online Moodle2 platform, including recording lectures and uploading PowerPoint notes.
  • Develop methods for the analysis of environmental and petrochemical samples using GC and HPLC.
  • Schedule classes for over 1500 students per semester and allocate an annual budget of over $400K.
  • Assist Ph.D. graduate student in organic polymer synthesis by completing tedious, repetitive experiments and computing the amount of reagents/buffers need.
  • Fabricate stimuli - responsive conductive polymer film electrodes with immobilize biomolecules for enzymatic logical systems.
  • Lecture masters students studying philosophy on Foucault theory and the practical uses of philosophical theory in anthropological studies through inter-disciplinarian approaches.
  • Prepare lectures and laboratory experiments, prepare exams, maintain all necessary records.

Chemistry lecturer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 30% of Chemistry Lecturers are proficient in General Chemistry, Chemistry Courses, and Laboratory Courses. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Chemistry Lecturers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • General Chemistry, 30%

    Lead classes of diverse students by teaching general chemistry laboratory techniques and safety *Clarify chemistry and math equations in an encouraging environment

  • Chemistry Courses, 14%

    Teach advanced chemistry courses such as surface chemistry, structural chemistry, and other chemistry course.

  • Laboratory Courses, 9%

    Assist with several laboratory courses in the department of chemistry.

  • Lab Reports, 8%

    Instruct students in good laboratory techniques and safety; evaluate their performance based on lab reports and performance in lab

  • Synthesis, 5%

    Participate in and support synthesis and characterization of rare earth oxide nanomaterials.

  • Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 5%

    Directed the daily activities of thirty students in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory.

Most chemistry lecturers use their skills in "general chemistry," "chemistry courses," and "laboratory courses" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential chemistry lecturer responsibilities here:

Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a chemistry lecturer to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what chemistry lecturers do because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Additionally, a chemistry lecturer resume shows how chemistry lecturers use interpersonal skills: "organized and taught courses in public speaking, interpersonal communication, and group (communication) dynamics.other notable experience"

Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform chemistry lecturer duties is speaking skills. Chemistry lecturers responsibilities require that "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." Chemistry lecturers also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "addressed students' questions and concerns via e-mail, during review sessions, office hours and outside of class. "

Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of chemistry lecturers is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday chemistry lecturer duties, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed syllabus for, & taught, a 15-person undergraduate introduction to creative writing seminar. "

All chemistry lecturer skills

The three companies that hire the most chemistry lecturers are:

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Compare different chemistry lecturers

Chemistry lecturer vs. Sciences dean

An Assistant Professor of Chemistry is expected to contribute to the teaching and research in a university's chemistry department. Duties include teaching chemistry programs for undergraduate and postgraduate, supervising students undertaking Master's and Ph.D., conducting research, and generating scholarly publications that fulfill an international standard. An Assistant Professor of Chemistry also assists in developing research links for the university, such as affiliating to Research Institutes and working collaboratively to build a strong profile.

If we compare the average chemistry lecturer annual salary with that of a sciences dean, we find that sciences deans typically earn a $51,616 higher salary than chemistry lecturers make annually.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a chemistry lecturer are more likely to require skills like "general chemistry," "chemistry courses," "laboratory courses," and "lab reports." On the other hand, a job as a sciences dean requires skills like "scholarship," "mathematics," "math," and "professional development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, sciences deans reach similar levels of education than chemistry lecturers. Sciences deans are 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Chemistry lecturer vs. Assistant professor of chemistry

A career as a assistant professor of chemistry brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a chemistry lecturer. In fact, assistant professors of chemistry salary is $12,807 higher than the salary of chemistry lecturers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both chemistry lecturers and assistant professors of chemistry have skills such as "general chemistry," "organic chemistry laboratory," and "syllabus. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, chemistry lecturer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "chemistry courses," "laboratory courses," "lab reports," and "synthesis." Meanwhile, an assistant professor of chemistry has duties that require skills in areas such as "analytical chemistry," "undergraduate research," "semester," and "lab courses." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Assistant professors of chemistry may earn a higher salary than chemistry lecturers, but assistant professors of chemistry earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $63,383. On the other hand, chemistry lecturers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,402.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Assistant professors of chemistry tend to reach lower levels of education than chemistry lecturers. In fact, they're 14.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for chemistry lecturers in the next 3-5 years?

Rebecca SarverRebecca Sarver LinkedIn profile

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

The use of remote and virtual meetings will continue even after COVID-19. Face to face meetings may still be the preferred method of contact, but the reality is that many clients who need to access services do not have reliable and consistent transportation to get to the services. Phones and computers enable more convenient meetings that are less costly in terms of time and travel. Some clients may prefer not to leave their homes.

Chemistry lecturer vs. Associate professor of chemistry

On average scale, associate professors of chemistry bring in higher salaries than chemistry lecturers. In fact, they earn a $12,192 higher salary per year.chemistry lecturers and associate professors of chemistry both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "chemistry courses," "laboratory courses," and "syllabus," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, chemistry lecturers are more likely to have skills like "general chemistry," "lab reports," "synthesis," and "organic chemistry laboratory." But a associate professor of chemistry is more likely to have skills like "analytical chemistry," "physical chemistry," "sops," and "fda."

Associate professors of chemistry make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $89,174. On the other hand, chemistry lecturers are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $53,402.When it comes to education, associate professors of chemistry tend to earn lower degree levels compared to chemistry lecturers. In fact, they're 17.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Chemistry lecturer vs. Adjunct professor of chemistry

Adjunct professors of chemistry average a higher salary than the annual salary of chemistry lecturers. The difference is about $15,514 per year.While both chemistry lecturers and adjunct professors of chemistry complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like chemistry courses, laboratory courses, and lab reports, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A chemistry lecturer uses "general chemistry," "synthesis," "organic chemistry laboratory," and "undergraduate courses." Adjunct professors of chemistry are more likely to have duties that require skills in "mathematics," "laboratory safety," "lab experiments," and "introductory chemistry. "In general, adjunct professors of chemistry hold lower degree levels compared to chemistry lecturers. Adjunct professors of chemistry are 6.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of chemistry lecturer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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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