Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Senior research chemist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior research chemist. Senior research chemists usually study chemistry, biology, or chemical engineering. 58% of senior research chemists hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 736 real senior research chemist resumes to see exactly what senior research chemist education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior research chemists are the Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
There are also many online senior research chemist courses to help get the education required to be a senior research chemist.
What education do you need to become a senior research chemist?
What degree do you need to be a senior research chemist?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- Doctorate, 23%
- Master's, 16%
- Associate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a senior research chemist?
Most common colleges for senior research chemists
| Senior research chemist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 12.26% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.60% |
| Ohio State University | 6.60% |
| University of Connecticut | 5.66% |
| New York University | 5.66% |
Best majors for senior research chemists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 74.9% |
| 2 | Biology | 5.8% |
| 3 | Chemical Engineering | 3.3% |
| 4 | Pharmacy | 2.5% |
| 5 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 1.9% |
Best colleges for senior research chemists
The best colleges for senior research chemists are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A senior research chemist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior research chemists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior research chemists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,167
Enrollment
30,279
4. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
5. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,099
Enrollment
21,404
6. Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$47,646
Enrollment
2,924
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,584
Enrollment
25,675
9. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$9,414
Enrollment
11,182
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
20 best online courses for senior research chemists
Advertising disclosure
1. Understanding Research Methods
This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...
2. Being a researcher (in Information Science and Technology)
The course provides a broad view of how to become and progress as a researcher. It spans over a wide range of topics, from the historical development of scientific thought to research methodology, to the pragmatics of publication, research funding, evaluation, and promotion in a researcher’s career. It also stresses the ethical aspects of research. Although the course speaks about scientific research in general, it especially focuses on the field on Information and Communication Science and...
3. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
4. Marketing Analytics: The Full Marketing Research Masterclass
#1 Course on Marketing Analytics: Become a marketing analytics & strategy expert...
5. Uncertainty and Research
This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...
6. Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy
The course introduces the three key spectroscopic methods used by chemists and biochemists to analyse the molecular and electronic structure of atoms and molecules. These are UV/Visible , Infra-red (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The content is presented using short focussed and interactive screencast presentations accompanied by formative quizzes to probe understanding of the key concepts presented. Numerous exercises are provided to facilitate mastery of each topic...
7. Google Analytics 4 for Beginners - New Google Analytics
Start using the latest version of Google Analytics Reports called GA4 with confidence...
8. How to Become a Senior Developer - Beyond coding skills
The path to becoming a senior developer is clear, with these easily applicable lessons on mastering your craft...
9. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course
Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...
10. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...
11. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions
Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...
12. Research Methodology
Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...
13. HR Analytics using MS Excel for Human Resource Management
Use Excel for HR Analytics, calculate HR metrics, build HR dashboards & ML models for Human Resource & People Analytics...
14. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...
15. Research Methods For Business Students
A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...
16. Workforce Analytics for HR
Learn how to use analytics to translate HR data into financial impact. Johnson & Johnson alumni & 15+ yrs of experience...
17. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)
A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...
18. Web Analytics & Digital Marketing Analytics - Zero to Hero
Web Analytics course before Google Analytics - Guide & process blueprint for Web Analytics & Digital Marketing Analytics...
19. Fundamentals of Plastics and Polymers
Polymer chemistry, properties, processing, testing and applications...
20. HR Analytics Master Course with Excel, Python and R
The Most Comprehensive Course on Data Analytics and HR Analytics...
Top 10 most affordable universities for senior research chemists
The most affordable schools for senior research chemists are University of Florida, florida state university, and university of north carolina at chapel hill.
If the best universities for senior research chemists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior research chemists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$8,178
Cost of attendance
20,934
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior research chemists
The hardest universities for senior research chemists to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for senior research chemists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior research chemists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior research chemists
The easiest schools for senior research chemists to get into are D'Youville College, university of the incarnate word, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior research chemist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior research chemists.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average senior research chemist salary by education level
| Senior research chemist education level | Senior research chemist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $99,873 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $87,842 |
| Doctorate Degree | $115,547 |
Senior research chemist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for senior research chemist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025