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“John Drummond Director of a chemical distribution company'I manage business with a turnover of £30m per annum, looking after team sourcing and selling chemicals for our customers in the UK and Europe.
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I never thought that chemistry would lead me here...
Careers
A chemistry degree can take you down many career paths into some of the highest paid and most satisfying roles in employment.
Whether you want a practical, hands-on career working in the lab, a managerial role or to develop professional skills in areas such as patent law or journalism the choices are endless and cover a huge range of employment sectors.
Taking a chemistry degree doesn’t mean you need to work in a laboratory, although many people find this to be one of the most fulfilling aspects. Carrying out research into new materials, investigating processes or helping to create new products can be very challenging, and rewarding but the practical knowledge and problem solving skills you gain as a chemist can also be used to improve manufacturing efficiency, provide technical support, guide legislation or develop the commercial success of a company.
You may also wish to consider sharing your knowledge and helping others to learn through teaching or lecturing.
Your abilities as a chemist will also allow you to engage with a variety of other disciplines and move through various roles. Perhaps you will start in the lab but there is nothing to stop you progressing to managerial or professional practice positions.
The skills of the chemist are valued across many employment sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Chemical manufacture
- Cosmetics and personal care
- Education
- Environmental consultancy
- Food and drink
- Government agencies
- Oil and gas
- Pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals
- Paint and surface coatings
- Paper and print
- Plastics and polymers
- Textiles
- Water
Or how about starting your own business? We can even help you to do that through our Enterprise Scholars scheme.
Throughout your studies our Careers Centre will provide all the advice, support and guidance you need to find a career that suits you.
Chemist - organic synthesis in a pharmaceutical research company
This role is based in drug discovery working on projects from major pharmaceutical companies. You will be involved in the discovery of potential new drug candidates and development of viable synthetic routes.
Business Development Manager in a speciality chemical company
The main purpose of this role is to be the link between Sales and Research and Development to identify, develop and promote sustainable and profitable business opportunities in different applications.
Quality Control Chemist in a manufacturing company
You will accurately and efficiently sample and analyse raw materials, intermediates and final products according to agreed procedures, documenting results in an appropriate manner.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Within the speciality raw materials sector supplying speciality chemicals, food ingredients and pharmaceuticals, this position reports to the Commercial Development Manager with the key responsibilities to provide the marketing contribution to enable the success of an experienced Technical Sales Team, by carrying out market research, identifying sales leads, expediting the customer sampling process and supporting marketing communications.
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