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Principal chemist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.,

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical principal chemist skills. We ranked the top skills for principal chemists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.0% of principal chemist resumes contained analytical chemistry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a principal chemist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 principal chemist skills for your resume and career

1. Analytical Chemistry

Here's how principal chemists use analytical chemistry:

served as a resource for problem solving related to analytical chemistry sample handling and analysis difficulties.
Provide analytical chemistry support and technical solutions to multiple departments.

2. 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 principal 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.

3. 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 principal chemists use product development:

Coordinate analytical activities in support of new product development as well as existing product support.
Developed materials for application in new products for division and provided technical expertise and consulting for engineering and product development teams.

4. HPLC

Here's how principal chemists use hplc:

Implemented a screening program to evaluate relative protein binding affinities for Discovery programs using immobilized protein HPLC columns.
Defined new quantitative HPLC methods for large pharmaceutical companies with novel pharmacological drug activities and formulations.

5. Sops

A standard operating procedure or simply SOP is a particular operation that needs to be done in accordance with the rules and guidelines of a company or an industry. It is an important way for a company to run smoothly, especially in small businesses. It is like a practice wherein everything an individual or an employee is under a particular standard that is implemented.

Here's how principal chemists use sops:

Write necessary technical reports for clients, investigations and departmental SOPs.
Performed QA/QC evaluations on IC community laboratory data as well as laboratory methods, SOPs, and proposed analytical protocols.

6. USP

USP, acronym for Unіԛuе Sеllіng Proposition, Unіԛuе Sеllіng Pоіnt or Unіԛuе Value Prороѕіtіоn, іѕ a fасtоr thаt dіѕtіnguіѕhеѕ a product аnd/оr ѕеrvісе from the rеѕt of thе competing brаndѕ іn the market. It ѕummаrіzеѕ thе еѕѕеnсе оf a buѕіnеѕѕ аnd therefore ѕеrvеѕ as thе guіdіng рrіnсірlе for аll mаrkеtіng еffоrtѕ.

Here's how principal chemists use usp:

Performed instrumental and wet chemical analysis of raw materials and finished products for stability and experimental purposes according to USP methods.
Perform standard qualitative and quantitative analysis on in-process, final and stability products per monographs for USP specifications.

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7. 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 principal chemists use fda:

Created technical support information maintaining FDA documentation and guidelines for Food accounts.
Implemented systems and procedures per FDA guidance, ICH requirements, and CFR regulations.

8. Analytical Method Development

Here's how principal chemists use analytical method development:

Provided guidance to analytical method development and quality control of products.
Provided analytical method development for ongoing drug development programs.

9. DSC

DSC - Differential Scanning Calorimetry is a thermo-analytical technique used to measure how much energy a sample absorbs or releases while heating or cooling. Thus, DSC measures the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample as a function of temperature or time.

Here's how principal chemists use dsc:

Perform DSC purity analysis for standard certifications.
Provide instrument analysis expertise for polymer materials using DSC, TGA, tensile machine, SEM, etc.

10. GLP

GLP stands for "good laboratory practice." This refers to the integrity and quality measures that non-clinical laboratories have in place to ensure accurate research and market testing. GLP is most often used in pharmaceutical companies where new drugs must be tested before being approved for sale, but the practice can also be used in food packaging and preparation test centers.

Here's how principal chemists use glp:

Analyzed raw materials, compatibility study samples, in process, finished products and analytical sample under GLP.
Perform mass spectral analysis for structure confirmation and unknown identification purposes, providing data interpretation in a GLP report as necessary.

11. 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 principal chemists use gmp:

Reviewed and approved GMP production batch records, deviations, process investigations, instrument qualifications, operational qualifications and cleaning protocols.
Performed work as a chemical analyst in a GMP production/ FDA regulated facility that manufactured pediatric and medical nutritional products.

12. UV/Vis

Here's how principal chemists use uv/vis:

provided calculated electronic absorption (UV/Vis) spectra for molecular candidates suspected to be impurity chromophores in a commercial nylon process.
Supported manufacturing operation and Stability using HPLC and UV/VIS.

13. FTIR

Here's how principal chemists use ftir:

Used computer program to guide coater operators (who have no chemical training) through process and control FTIR Technology.
Utilized wet chemistry methods to perform qualitative analysis of physical properties and active ingredient profile, performed cleaning validations with FTIR.

14. ISO

Here's how principal chemists use iso:

Directed ETO residuals testing per ISO 10993 7, evaluated results and provided final ETO residuals report.
Participated in external and internal audits of the laboratory to maintain ISO 17025 certification and American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.

15. Drug Substance

Here's how principal chemists use drug substance:

Developed HPLC-MS, HPLC-CAD methods for quantitation of low levels of non-UV active impurities in drug substance and its intermediates.

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What skills help Principal Chemists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on principal 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 principal 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 principal 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 principal 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 principal 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.

Do you want to know more?

List of principal chemist skills to add to your resume

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

Analytical Chemistry
R
Product Development
HPLC
Sops
USP
FDA
Analytical Method Development
DSC
GLP
GMP

UV/Vis
FTIR
ISO
Drug Substance
OOs
EPA
CAPA
Conference Calls
QC
Analytical Support
CMC

Liquid Chromatography
Analytical Instrumentation
Technical Guidance
Analytical Test Methods
IC
Pilot Plant
GC-MS
LC-MS
ICP-OES
IR
Data Review

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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Updated January 8, 2025

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