What does a quality control chemist do?
A Quality Control Chemist uses chemistry lab skills to test and measure materials, usually in a manufacturing or pharmaceutical field. They analyze samples using scientific equipment, prepare study protocols, collect data, and identify and investigate abnormal test results.
Quality control chemist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality control chemist resumes:
- Manage investigations of out of spec results and complaints in CatsWEB CAPA management system.
- Verify raw material compliance utilizing ICP, FTIR, and USP wet chemistry methods.
- Perform analysis utilizing UV/VIS, FTIR, Karl Fischer, and TLC.
- Perform the potency studies, dissolution, and uniformity, by using HPLC, GC, and UV/VIS.
- Analyze active ingredients in sunscreens, volatile organics, and preservatives utilizing ICP, GC, NIRS, and HPLC.
- Execute dissolution and disintegration testing and microbiology testing with compliance requirements within GMP, GLP, and FDA regulatory environments.
- Perform raw material, in-process, and finish product testing utilizing HPLC, GC, UV, and wet chemistry.
- Wet chemistry analysis including viscosity, refractive index, particle sizing and titration.
- Limit experience with ICP, GC-MS and LC-MS.
- Apply technical skills include GC-FID, AA, HPLC, FT-IR and UV-VIS.
- Evaluate thermal properties of polymers and formulations by DSC and TGA.
- Perform thermal analysis of metals, polymers and pharmaceuticals within various castings using DSC.
- Develop and validate HPLC assays for various drugs and their metabolites in biological matrices.
- Assist in the set up of a batch record system and CAPA system for GLP.
- Operate the AA, GC, and LECO units, as well as several solvent extraction apparatuses.
Quality control chemist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Quality Control Chemists are proficient in QC, HPLC, and Lab Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Quality Control Chemists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- QC, 9%
Performed biochemical, immunological, and other assigned assays on in-process and finished products to determine conformance for QC approval.
- HPLC, 7%
Developed new methods and performed stability testing utilizing Hewlett Packard HPLC.
- Lab Equipment, 7%
Calibrated and verified lab equipment and instruments, standardized solutions used during testing.
- GMP, 6%
Executed dissolution and disintegration testing and microbiology testing with compliance requirements within GMP, GLP, and FDA regulatory environments.
- Analytical Methods, 5%
Worked with quality assurance personnel to evaluate and incorporate new analytical methods and equipment to the process.
- UV/Vis, 4%
Performed analysis using HPLC, UV/VIS, FTIR, KF, Dissolution Apparatus and wet chemistry.
Most quality control chemists use their skills in "qc," "hplc," and "lab equipment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential quality control chemist responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a quality control chemist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "chemists and materials scientists need to evaluate the results of experiments to ensure accuracy in their research." Additionally, a quality control chemist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "work with pesticide analysis team to analyze and evaluate pesticide residues and food contaminants to make sure clients comply with fda. "
Communication skills. Many quality control chemist duties rely on communication skills. "chemists and materials scientists must be able to convey information clearly in reports and presentations for both technical and nontechnical audiences.," so a quality control chemist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways quality control chemist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "created the web trader account for fda communication. "
Math skills. quality control chemists are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to quality control chemist responsibilities, because "chemists and materials scientists regularly use calculus, algebra, statistics, and other math for calculations." A quality control chemist resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "performed qualitative and quantitative drug analyses utilizing chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques to assess drug product content and stability. "
Organizational skills. A big part of what quality control chemists do relies on "organizational skills." You can see how essential it is to quality control chemist responsibilities because "chemists and materials scientists must document processes carefully when conducting experiments, tracking outcomes, and analyzing results." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical quality control chemist tasks: "well versed in implementing standard operating procedures, organizational policies, and analytical methodologies accurately and consistently. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a quality control chemist to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what quality control chemists relies on this skill, since "chemists’ and materials scientists’ work involves posing questions during research and finding answers through results." How this skill relates to quality control chemist duties can be seen in an example from a quality control chemist resume snippet: "performed dissolution assays on coumadin and other prescription drug items while maintaining fda and glp regulations. "
Time-management skills. Lastly, "time-management skills" is an important element of what a quality control chemist does. Quality control chemist responsibilities require this skill because "chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines and must be able to prioritize tasks while maintaining quality." This resume example highlights how quality control chemist duties rely on this skill: "performed process improvement on analytical methods and procedures to streamline efforts and reduce preparation time. "
The three companies that hire the most quality control chemists are:
- Eurofins8 quality control chemists jobs
- Thermo Fisher Scientific7 quality control chemists jobs
- Virbac7 quality control chemists jobs
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Compare different quality control chemists
Quality control chemist vs. Assistant research scientist
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, quality control chemist responsibilities require skills like "uv/vis," "drug products," "test methods," and "ftir." Meanwhile a typical assistant research scientist has skills in areas such as "research projects," "data collection," "data analysis," and "cell culture." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Assistant research scientists tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $71,080. In contrast, quality control chemists make the biggest average salary, $63,570, in the manufacturing industry.assistant research scientists tend to reach similar levels of education than quality control chemists. In fact, assistant research scientists are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 14.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Quality control chemist vs. Chemical technician
A chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory. They also record the research progress, including scientific methods, and write observation reports for reference. A chemical technician manages the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility to avoid potential hazards and complications during chemical operations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, quality control chemist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "analytical methods," "uv/vis," "drug products," and "test methods." Meanwhile, a chemical technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety procedures," "hazardous materials," "osha," and "math." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Chemical technicians earn a lower average salary than quality control chemists. But chemical technicians earn the highest pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $66,439. Additionally, quality control chemists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $63,570 annually.chemical technicians earn lower levels of education than quality control chemists in general. They're 8.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 14.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for quality control chemists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Quality control chemist vs. Laboratory analyst
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from quality control chemist resumes include skills like "qc," "drug products," "troubleshoot," and "oos," whereas a laboratory analyst is more likely to list skills in "laboratory procedures," "sample preparation," "math," and "microbiological. "
Laboratory analysts earn the best pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they command an average salary of $47,806. Quality control chemists earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $63,570.laboratory analysts typically earn lower educational levels compared to quality control chemists. Specifically, they're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quality control chemist vs. Chemistry laboratory assistant
Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.
Types of quality control chemist
Updated January 8, 2025
