• CHEMISTRY

Visit Our Career Centers
100 Payson Smith Hall
Portland Campus OR

113 Upton Hall
Gorham Campus

What Can I Do With A Major In...

OCCUPATIONAL POSSIBILITIES

CHEMIST

A Chemist searches for and puts to practical use new knowledge about chemicals. S/he often works in research and development. In basic research, the chemist would investigate the properties, composition, and structure of matter and the laws that govern the combination of elements and reactions of substances. In applied research and development, they create new products and processes or improve existing ones, often using knowledge gained from basic research. S/he would also often use complex research techniques, specialized lab equipment and computers.

Educational Requirements

Avg. Maine Salary:	$18.58 per/hour
Avg. # Maine Employment	297
Annual Openings:	14
Projected Growth:	23%

CHEMICAL ENGINEER

A chemical engineer applies principles of chemistry and engineering to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals. Most work in the production of chemicals and chemical products. S/he may design equipment and develop processes for the manufacturing of chemicals, plan and test methods of manufacturing the products and supervises production. Chemical engineering also looks at industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as electronics or aircraft manufacturing. This is possible because of the knowledge required cuts across many fields. Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering in their work. They frequently specialize in a particular operation such as oxidation or polymerization. Other specialties may include pollution control or production of a specific product like automotive plastics or chlorine bleach.

Educational requirements include a Bachelor's degree in engineering. Some jobs could accept qualified applicants with a degree in physical science or mathematics.

Avg. Maine Salary:	$26.07 per/hour
Avg. # Maine Employment	120
Annual Openings:	4
Projected Growth:	5%

Top

RELATED OCCUPATIONS

SKILLS

Top

SAMPLE JOBS

Analytical Chemist-
Provide analyses to customers utilizing state-of-the-art techniques such as Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry (GDMS), Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) and LECO Combustion Analysis. Entry Level Position. This is a small privately owned commercial, chemical analysis services laboratory serving the aerospace, semiconductor and high purity material industries.
Qualifications: BS/BA in Chemistry and 0-2 years experience in a laboratory environment.

Assay Development/Product Scientist-
Assist in the development of enzyme immunoassays and immunochromatographic devices; will also be involved in product validation and transfer of products from R&D to manufacturing.
Qualifications: Bachelors degree in chemistry or immunology, 2-3 years of industrial experience, knowledge of Excel and Word and familiarity with a GMP and GLP are all requirements for this position.

Research Associate-
Assist in the development of new therapeutic agents, with the majority of work in lab bench experimentation; plan and execute experiments, make recommendations regarding the practice and selection of methods, document and evaluate results, work with team of biologists, and work independently through literature searching and discussions with management and team members.
Qualifications: BS or MS degree required; minimum of 0-4 years experience in research environment, either academic or industrial preferred; experience with biological and chemical techniques, ability to read, interpret and follow technical protocols, write reports and procedures and speak effectively and respond to questions before groups of peers and managers; laboratory skills required include standard microbiology and molecular biology skills, including sterile technique, cell culture, bacteriophage and recombinant DNA techniques, immunoassay techniques, including ELISA, and basic computer skills, including data analysis; independent research experience is desired but not required.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Top

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• American Chemical Society
  1155 16th Street N.W.
  Washington, DC 20036
  800-227-5558 or 202-872-4600
  www.chemcenter.org
  

• Acrylic Council
• The Acrylonitrile Group
• Agricultural Retailers Association
• Alkyl Amines Council
• Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
• Alpha Chi Sigma
• American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• American Association of Cereal Chemists
• American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
• American Carbon Society
• American Coke and Cole Chemicals Institute
• American College of Toxicology
• American Crop Protection Association
• American Fiber Manufacturers Association
• American Hydrogen Association
• American Industrial Health Council
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• American Institute of Chemists
• American Leather Chemists Association
• American Methanol Institute
• American Oil Chemists' Society
• American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• American Society for Mass Spectrometry
• American Society for Neurochemistry
• American Society for Brewing Chemists
• Aniline Association
• AOAC International
• Aspirin Foundation of America
• Association of Analytical Chemists
• Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers
• Association of Defensive Spray Manufacturers
• Association of Official Racing Chemists
• Automotive Chemical Manufacturers Council
• Basic Acrylic Monomer Manufacturers Association
• Chemical Coaters Association International
• Chemical Communications Association
• Chemical Fabrics and Film Association
• Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology
• Chemical Management and Resources Association
• Chemical Manufacturers Association
• Chemical Producers and Distributors Association
• Chemical Sources Association
• Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association
• Chlorinated Parafins Industry Association
• Chlorine Chemistry Council
• Chlorine Institute
• Chlorobenzene Producers Association
• Color Pigments manufacturers Association
• Combustion Institute
• Commercial Development Association
• Council for Chemical Research
• Drug, Chemical and Allied Trades Association
• Electrochemical Society
• Embaling Chemical Manufacturers Association
• Emulsion Polymers Council
• Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies
• Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology
• The Fertilizer Institute
• Fire Retardant Chemicals Association
• Geochemical Society
• Halon Alternatives Research Corporation
• The Histochemical Society
• Hydrogen Industry Council
• Independent Liquid Terminals Association
• Industrial Chemical Research Association
• Institute for Polyacrylate Absorbents
• International Cartridge Recycling Association
• International Chemical Workers Union
• International Glutamate Technical Committee
• International Ozone Association - Pan American Group Branch
• Materials Marketing Associates
• Materials Technology Institute of the Chemical Process Industries
• Methacrylate Producers Association
• National Aerosol Association
• National Association of Chemical Distributors
• National Association of Chemical Recyclers
• National Association of Gas Chlorinators
• National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
• National Pest Control Association
• North American Catalysis Society
• Northeastern Weed Science Society
• Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union
• Oxygenated Fuels Association
• Phosphate Chemicals Export Association
• Phytochemical Society of North America
• Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
• Polyurethane Foam Association
• Powder Coating Institute
• Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association
• Professional Lawn Care Association of America
• Pulp Chemicals Association
• Sales Association of the Chemical Industry
• SB Latex Council
• Silicones Environmental Health and Safety Council of North America
• Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health
• Society of Chemical Industry, American Section
• Society of Cosmetic Chemists
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
• Society of Flavor Chemists
• Society of Mineral Analysts
• Society of Toxicology
• Soil and Plant Analysis Council
• Solution Mining Research Institute
• Spill Control Association of America
• Suppliers of Advanced Composite Materials Association
• Synthetic Amorphous Silics and Silicates Industry Association
• Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association
• Tributyl Phosphate Task Force
• Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association
• United States Dye Manufacturers Operating Committee of ETAD
• Vinyl Acetate Toxicology Group

Top

The information on this page was taken from the following sources: CareerWare 98; Maine Dept.of Labor, 94; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 98; National Trade and Professional Associations Of the United States, 97; College Majors and Careers