chemist
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by the building blocks of our world? As a chemist, you'll combine scientific curiosity with practical application, developing innovative products and ensuring their quality and safety.
Chemists are vital in a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals and materials science to food production and environmental protection. Your work involves rigorous laboratory research, analyzing the chemical composition of substances and translating those findings into real-world applications. You’ll be involved in the entire lifecycle of a product, from initial research and development to quality control and assessing environmental impact. This role demands precision, analytical skills, and a commitment to safety and ethical practices.
- • Conducting laboratory experiments and analyzing chemical data.
- • Developing and improving industrial production processes.
- • Testing the quality of manufactured products and ensuring they meet required standards.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 3 years.
Where it is regulated, your qualification would need formal recognition before you could practise.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could chemist fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Future Outlook for chemist
The outlook for chemist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could chemist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could chemist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- use personal protection equipment
- apply safety procedures in laboratory
- interact professionally in research and professional environments
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- manage open publications
- analyse chemical substances
- demonstrate disciplinary expertise
Tasks most exposed to automation
- translate formulae into processes
- synthesise information
- apply for research funding
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Healthcare & Human Services
A typical day as a chemist
09 09:00 · Morning analyse chemical substances
10 10:30 · Mid-morning apply liquid chromatography
12 12:00 · Midday apply safety procedures in laboratory
14 14:00 · Afternoon manage intellectual property rights
15 15:30 · Late afternoon operate open source software
17 17:00 · Wrap-up translate formulae into processes
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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green chemistry
The process of creating chemical products that diminish or cancel the negative impact on the environment caused by the use of hazardous substances. It follows all the phases of chemical product generation from the design to the manufacturing and its disposal.
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oxidation
Oxidation and reduction are chemical processes characterised in terms of oxygen, hydrogen or electrons transfer that occurs during a reaction between a molecule, atom or ion.
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spectroscopy
The scientific field that focuses on investigating and measuring spectra that are produced through electromagnetic radiation either in the form of materials interaction with radiations or their emission.
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alternative fuels
Fuels or power sources that serve, at least partly, as a substitute in the traditional energy supply to transport such as oil and fossil sources. They have the potential to contribute to decarbonisation efforts and enhance the environmental performance of the economy and transport sector.
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analytical methods in biomedical sciences
The various research, mathematical or analytical methods used in biomedical sciences.
- analytical chemistry
- inorganic chemistry
- laboratory techniques
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manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data
Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
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promote open innovation in research
Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.
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integrate gender dimension in research
Take into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).
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draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation
Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.
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disseminate results to the scientific community
Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.
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write technical reports
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
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publish academic research
Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
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write scientific publications
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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run laboratory simulations
Run simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.
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calibrate laboratory equipment
Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
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use chemical analysis equipment
Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
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analyse chemical substances
Study and test chemical sustances to analyse their composition and characteristics.
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test chemical samples
Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
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use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
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apply safety procedures in laboratory
Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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advise on chemical use reduction
Provide advice to reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides, the emissions of various chemical substances to limit their impact on the environment, as well as shorten their risk for people. Keep up to date with regulations and policies in the field.
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translate formulae into processes
Translate, by means of computer models and simulations, the specific laboratory formulae and findings into production processes.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
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Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does chemist fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education is required to become a chemist?
- Typically, a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field is the minimum requirement. Many chemists pursue advanced degrees (master’s or doctorate) to specialize in a specific area or to advance their careers into research and leadership roles.
- What are some industries that employ chemists?
- Chemists are employed across a diverse range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials science, food and beverage, environmental science, cosmetics, and petrochemicals. You might find opportunities in research labs, manufacturing plants, quality control facilities, or consulting firms.
- Does this role involve a lot of fieldwork or is it primarily lab-based?
- The majority of a chemist’s work is performed in a laboratory setting. However, depending on the specific role and industry, there may be opportunities for fieldwork, such as collecting samples for analysis or conducting environmental assessments.
- Chemist — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 11 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Greece and 2 more. 5 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Chemist — what does it pay in the United States?
- $84,150 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $61,890 to $149,860. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Chemist — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 10 European countries: Italy, Greece, Romania, Switzerland and 6 more. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 5. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.