Organic Chemist Job Descriptions

Organic chemistry is a branch of science that deals with the structure and properties of carbon-containing compounds. Organic chemists design, synthesize and characterize these compounds for beneficial applications, such as medicine.

Duties

Organic chemists perform synthesis and isolation experiments. They use instruments such as spectroscopy, chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance to analyze the results. They also prepare reports, direct research groups and maintain the lab.

Education

To become an organic chemist, a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry is required. A master's degree and Ph.D. are required for positions in management and teaching.

Skills

To be successful as an organic chemist, you must be creative, have excellent technical and problem-solving skills and have the ability to work well in a team environment.

Careers

Organic chemists can work in a variety of areas, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and the chemical or petrolatum industries.

Salary

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for an organic chemist as of February 2010 is $68,000 a year.

References

• American Chemical Society: Organic Chemistry
• Indeed.com: Organic Chemist Salaries