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Laboratory Chemist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Rainer Glaser,

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical laboratory chemist skills. We ranked the top skills for laboratory chemists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.7% of laboratory chemist resumes contained lab equipment as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a laboratory chemist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 laboratory chemist skills for your resume and career

1. Lab Equipment

Here's how laboratory chemists use lab equipment:

Developed and authored Standard Operating Procedures for lab equipment operation, reagent preparation and test procedures.
Maintained preventative maintenance and calibration of lab equipment.

2. Chromatography

Chromatography uses a strip of filter paper to separate the various components of a mixture. The filter paper is introduced to a solvent, which then encourages the separation of each mixture. Because different components of the mixture travel at different speeds once introduced to the solvent, a clear separation of components is visible on the filter paper.

Here's how laboratory chemists use chromatography:

Reported, interpreted GC/MS chromatography data, and alerted superiors on changing system contaminant levels.
Acknowledged by supervisor for exceptional performance in the Ion Chromatography Lab.

3. 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 laboratory chemists use analytical methods:

Evaluated the purity of proposed USP reference standards using a variety of analytical methods in the Reference Standards Laboratory.
Adhered to, pointed out inconsistencies, and suggested improvements to standard laboratory analytical methods.

4. Laboratory Procedures

Here's how laboratory chemists use laboratory procedures:

Worked with supervisor to generate guidelines and training spreadsheets for laboratory procedures.
Follow laboratory procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.

5. 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 laboratory chemists use sample preparation:

End of year project completion, responsible for the sample preparation, the running and data collection for two projects.
Increased the efficiency of the flow of samples through the lab by 25% through streamlined sample preparation and reporting.

6. Wet Chemistry

Here's how laboratory chemists use wet chemistry:

Performed chrome and nickel analysis on client electroplating baths using wet chemistry and HPLC following company guidelines.
Assured that all tests in the wet chemistry department passed third party tests for accreditation purposes.

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7. 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 laboratory chemists use lims:

Compiled LIMS user manual for R&D users, which helped ease transition to new system.
Finalize results to be reported to customers (publishes in LIMS).

8. Titration

Here's how laboratory chemists use titration:

Experience with GC, ICP/ICP-OES, XRF, and KF Titration.
Analyze cementitious mixtures by Chloride titration analysis.

9. HPLC

Here's how laboratory chemists use hplc:

Conduct Strength Assay, Content Uniformity, Blend Uniformity, Dissolution, HPLC, UV/VIS spectroscopy and TLC Techniques.
Conducted analysis of drug compounds using chemical processes such as; HPLC and TLC to determine compound purity.

10. OSHA

Here's how laboratory chemists use osha:

Followed OSHA guidelines as mandated through the federal government.
Developed the operational protocols complying with OSHA and the State Firemen's and Fire Marshal's Association of Texas.

11. Hazardous Waste

Here's how laboratory chemists use hazardous waste:

Train and supervise technicians in analyses and characterization of hazardous waste using various approved laboratory methods and instruments.
Functioned as safety manager to ensure laboratory safety rules, hazardous waste handling and disposal/employee training.

12. 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 laboratory chemists use r:

Collaborate with other departments to coordinate lab's optimum support of R and D and Production operations.
Supervised Chemist and lab technicians in R and D Lab.

13. Gas Chromatography

Here's how laboratory chemists use gas chromatography:

Performed confirmation analysis of adsorbed samples by gas chromatography and associated non-agent analysis for site validation and environmental considerations.
Evaluated data for chemical stability experiments, conducted experiments on pesticide stability and cleaned and maintained columns for gas chromatography equipment.

14. Test Methods

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

Here's how laboratory chemists use test methods:

Mastered wet/dry chemistry techniques to implement and preserve the integrity of company products in accordance with ASTM test methods.
Supported lead chemist in developing more advanced standard test methods applicable to the company's needs.

15. PH Meter

Here's how laboratory chemists use ph meter:

Prepared parts per million (ppm) solutions; operated pH meter and Karl Fischer equipment.
Calibrated all thermometers and preformed daily checks for pH meter and balances.

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What skills help Laboratory Chemists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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 laboratory chemist skills to add to your resume

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

Lab Equipment
Chromatography
Analytical Methods
Laboratory Procedures
Sample Preparation
Wet Chemistry
Lims
Titration
HPLC
OSHA
Hazardous Waste
R
Gas Chromatography
Test Methods
PH Meter
ISO
GC

Ms
FTIR
ASTM
Method Development
Laboratory Tests
Test Results
Liquid Chromatography
GMP
UV-Vis
Analytical Data
RCRA
Petroleum Products
Chemical Analysis
Proficiency Testing
Process Control
ICP-OES
Physical Properties

USP
Karl Fischer
IR
FDA
PCB
IC
Hazardous Materials
Data Review
Analytical Instrumentation
XRF
FID
Absorption
Quantitative Analysis
TOC
NMR

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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