Analytic+Chemist

 Analytic Chemist = = = = = Analytical chemist : Job description and activities =

Job description
Analytical chemists typically use a diverse range of high tech methods to investigate the chemical nature of substances. The aim of such work is to identify and understand the substance and how it behaves under different conditions. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, analytical chemists are involved throughout the drug development process; they study the physical or chemical properties of drug substances and formulations, with a view to determining the quality and stability of drug products. Analytical chemists may be involved in work as diverse as:
 * chemical or forensic analysis;
 * process development;
 * product validation;
 * quality control;
 * toxicology;
 * drug formulation and development.

Personality Characteristics
Good laboratory and mechanical skills and the patience to perform sometimes tedious procedures is necessary for precise and accurate measurements. Good communication skills and the ability to learn about and keep up with new techniques and instrumentation and technology are essential for troubleshooting and problem solving.

Working Conditions
Workplaces for analytical chemists are as varied as their job responsibilities and the sophistication of the laboratories they work in. The fact that a lab may not be equipped with the state-of-the-art instrumentation does not mean its chemical measurements are any less sophisticated. It may just mean that the measurements and techniques are cost-effective and sufficient for their intended purpose. Depending on the industry and job responsibilities, analytical chemists may also work in manufacturing areas, or as applications or sales and marketing chemists for vendors of instrumentation and apparatuses.

Places of Employment
Analytical chemists are employed in every part of the chemical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical, food, and waste management industries as well as in government and private consulting labs and with vendors of chemical instrumentation.

Job Outlook
Even as companies have reduced their analytical laboratory staff, opportunities still remain for analytical chemists with good troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills. In addition, analytical chemists with experience and training in using a range of instruments for a wide variety of analyses are always in demand. In fact, the trend towards hiring employees for temporary short-term assignments may benefit chemists, too. Temporary employment agencies specializing in the placement of chemists can provide steady work for chemists with expertise in particular areas as well as enabling those with little experience to gain experience. Some chemists will also find success building opportunities of their own.

Salary
The salary for an analytic chemist ranges on how long you've been involoved in the field. If you've been working for less than a year, the average salary is $45,000. For a person who has been working for 1-4 years the average salary is $42,747. The average pay is $52,580 for working 5-9 years. If you've been working 10-19 years, the salary is approximately $60,229. After you reach 20 years and over, the pay kind of evens out at the salary being $73,290. When you first start, the pay is good and then you go down you're next 4 years, but after that your salary steadily increases.

Education and Training
A solid background in chemistry and good laboratory, computer, and communication skills are important for handling a wide variety of chemical measurements. Because analytical chemistry is a service discipline, combining the skills of a chemical analyst with knowledge of the unique problems of other chemical disciplines (such as organic, polymer, inorganic, and environmental chemistries) is a valuable asset. Course work in advanced instrumental methods enhance the chemist's versatility. In addition, customer service, business, and management skills are more important today than ever before.

Typical work activities
Typical work activities include:
 * analysing samples from various sources to provide information on compounds or quantities of compounds present;
 * using analytical techniques and instrumentation, such as gas and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion chromatography, electrochromatography and spectroscopy (infrared and ultraviolet, amongst others);
 * interpreting data and adhering to strict guidelines on documentation when recording data;
 * reporting scientific results;
 * using a range of analytical techniques, instrumentation and software;
 * developing new techniques for the analysis of drug products and chemicals;
 * working collaboratively in cross-functional teams;
 * liaising with customers, staff and suppliers;
 * using the internet and email;
 * being aware of, and keeping up to date with, health and safety issues in all aspects of the work undertaken.

Uses a Variety of Skills
Regardless of the changes in the workplace, the minimum requirements for chemists seeking careers as analytical chemists include a solid background in chemistry, a propensity for detail, good computer skills, and good laboratory and problem-solving skills. Pat Mirando, a senior analytical development chemist at Wyeth Ayerst Lederle, says, "It's very important to have an understanding of basic chemistry because a lot of work is done on trivial things that can be quickly and easily explained by anyone with a good [chemistry] background." Basic skills, however, should be coupled with skills in other areas. Employers tend to recruit analytical chemists with experience operating different and increasingly sophisticated instruments that are used for routine measurements. In addition, they often seek analytical chemists with experience in specific types of analyses for example, the analysis of samples unique to pharmaceuticals, food, environmental samples, polymers, or minerals. Although high-volume routine instrumental analyses using well-defined procedures are automated, knowledge of the organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry of the sample and the measurement is valuable, particularly when troubleshooting. Good oral and written communication skills are essential, particularly when oral presentations, reports, and memos are required to defend a measurement and its interpretation. In addition, familiarity with the various roles analytical chemists play in different industries and exposure to business and management practices are valuable assets that will allow growth into management, manufacturing, sales, and marketing positions.

Analytical chemist: Job description and activities | Prospects.ac.uk." __OCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd" Prospects.ac.uk - Graduate Jobs, Postgrad Study, Graduate Career Information / Advisory Service__. 07 Apr. 2009 "Analytical Chemistry." __American Chemical Society - The world's largest scientific society.__ 07 Apr. 2009 []. "PayScale - Analytical Chemist Salary, Average Salaries." __PayScale - Salary Comparison, Salary Survey, Wages__. 07 Apr. 2009 []. "Analytical Chemistry - Chemistry Encyclopedia - What Analytical Chemists Do, History, From Measurement to Concentration, Application, Recent Developments." __Chemistry: Foundations and Applications__. 07 Apr. 2009 []. "The Educated Chemist: Analytical chemistry at your own pace." __Royal Society of Chemistry, the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences__. 07 Apr. 2009 []. __Microtest – Pharmaceutical contract manufacturing__. 07 Apr. 2009 .
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