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 representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • 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 list "qc," "hplc," and "lab equipment" as skills on their resumes. We go into more details on the most important quality control chemist responsibilities here:

  • The most important skills for a quality control chemist to have in this position are analytical skills. In this excerpt that we gathered from a quality control chemist resume, you'll understand why: "chemists and materials scientists carry out scientific experiments and studies" According to resumes we found, analytical skills can be used by a quality control chemist in order to "work with pesticide analysis team to analyze and evaluate pesticide residues and food contaminants to make sure clients comply with fda. "
  • While it may not be the most important skill, we found that many quality control chemist duties rely on communication skills. This example from a quality control chemist explains why: "chemists and materials scientists need to communicate clearly with team members and other scientists." This resume example is just one of many ways quality control chemists are able to utilize communication skills: "created the web trader account for fda communication. "
  • Quality control chemists are also known for math skills, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a quality control chemist resume: "chemists and materials scientists regularly use complex mathematical equations and formulas, and they need a broad understanding of math, including calculus, algebra, and statistics." We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "performed qualitative and quantitative drug analyses utilizing chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques to assess drug product content and stability. "
  • A thorough review of lots of resumes revealed to us that "organizational skills" is important to completing quality control chemist responsibilities. This resume example shows just one way quality control chemists use this skill: "chemists and materials scientists need to document processes carefully in order to conform to regulations and industry procedures" 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. "
  • Yet another important skill that a quality control chemist must demonstrate is "problem-solving skills." Chemists and materials scientists research and develop new and improved chemical products, processes, and materials This is clearly demonstrated in this example from a quality control chemist who stated: "performed dissolution assays on coumadin and other prescription drug items while maintaining fda and glp regulations. "
  • Lastly, this career requires you to be skillful in "time-management skills." According to quality control chemist resumes, "chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines when conducting research." This resume example highlights how quality control chemist responsibilities rely on this skill: "performed process improvement on analytical methods and procedures to streamline efforts and reduce preparation time. "
  • See the full list of quality control chemist skills.

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    What Assistant Research Scientists Do

    An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.

    In this section, we take a look at the annual salaries of other professions. Take assistant research scientist for example. On average, the assistant research scientists annual salary is $3,888 higher than what quality control chemists make on average every year.

    Even though quality control chemists and assistant research scientists have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require qc, hplc, and lab equipment in the day-to-day roles.

    There are some key differences in responsibilities as well. For example, a 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 how truly different these two careers really are.

    Assistant research scientists tend to make the most money in the education industry by averaging a salary of $71,080. In contrast, quality control chemists make the biggest average salary of $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.

    What Are The Duties Of a 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.

    Now we're going to look at the chemical technician profession. On average, chemical technicians earn a $16,308 lower salary than quality control chemists a year.

    Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Quality control chemists and chemical technicians both include similar skills like "qc," "hplc," and "lab equipment" on their resumes.

    In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are 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 might be skilled 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.

    It's been discovered that chemical technicians earn lower salaries compared to quality control chemists, but we wanted to find out where chemical technicians earned the most pay. The answer? The pharmaceutical industry. The average salary in the industry is $66,439. Additionally, quality control chemists earn the highest paychecks in the manufacturing with an average salary of $63,570.

    On the topic of education, 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 Chemists In The Next 3-5 Years?

    John Tomsho Ph.D.

    Director, Graduate Programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacognosy Co-Director, Chemistry Core Facility NMR Facility Director Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Sciences

    We have seen the automation of many routine lab processes over the years, and I think that we will be continuing, this trend of increasing automation in the lab. Currently, there is even work being done to develop automated, non-routine processes like discovery chemistries, literature searching, and also synthetic route design. This will increase the need for workers that can develop, design, build, and maintain these technologies (both hardware and software). This also increases the importance of individuals trained in quantitative analysis to analyze and appropriately use the data being generated critically. Show more

    How a Laboratory Analyst Compares

    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.

    The third profession we take a look at is laboratory analyst. On an average scale, these workers bring in lower salaries than quality control chemists. In fact, they make a $14,868 lower salary per year.

    Using quality control chemists and laboratory analysts resumes, we found that both professions have similar skills such as "hplc," "lab equipment," and "gmp," but the other skills required are very different.

    Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from quality control chemist resumes include skills like "qc," "drug products," "troubleshoot," and "oos," whereas a laboratory analyst might be skilled in "laboratory procedures," "sample preparation," "math," and "microbiological. "

    Interestingly enough, laboratory analysts earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they command an average salary of $47,806. As mentioned previously, quality control chemists highest annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $63,570.

    Laboratory analysts are known to earn lower educational levels when compared to quality control chemists. Additionally, they're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of a 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.

    Chemistry laboratory assistants tend to earn a lower pay than quality control chemists by about $27,921 per year.

    According to resumes from both quality control chemists and chemistry laboratory assistants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "hplc," "lab equipment," and "ftir. "

    While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note. "qc," "gmp," "analytical methods," and "uv/vis" are skills that have shown up on quality control chemists resumes. Additionally, chemistry laboratory assistant uses skills like lab safety, chemistry lab, lab experiments, and lab reports on their resumes.

    Now, let's take a closer look at the financials in each career. The education industry tends to pay more for chemistry laboratory assistants with an average of $37,906. While the highest quality control chemist annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.

    Chemistry laboratory assistants reach lower levels of education when compared to quality control chemists. The difference is that they're 7.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree less, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.