To become a polymer chemist, you’ll need three things: post-secondary education, relevant work experience, and laboratory skills. A polymer chemist is an expert in chemical synthesis who studies the properties of polymers and macromolecules. This type of chemist can work in a variety of industries, including consumer and industrial products as well as research laboratories. Plastics and related synthetic materials have seen tremendous growth thanks to polymer chemists.
A polymer is a molecule with repeating structures linked together covalent chemical bonds. Plastic is commonly referred to as polymer in popular culture. The term polymer, on the other hand, refers to a set of molecular properties that can be found in both organic and synthetic materials. Polymer chemistry, also known as macromolecular chemistry, is one of the chemical industry’s fastest growing sectors.
Detail-oriented people who want to be polymer chemists enjoy working independently, have a high level of mental focus, and are fascinated precision. The amount of knowledge required to be successful in this field is substantial, and it necessitates a high level of commitment and study. As a result, many chemists discover that they need to take additional communication and presentation skills courses later in their careers to master these skills.
To become a polymer chemist, you must first complete a post-secondary education program. A university degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or synthetic chemistry is usually required. For an entry-level position as a polymer chemist, the vast majority of employers will accept a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s or doctoral degree in chemistry or chemical engineering is required to advance your career.
Work experience gained through a job placement program or an internship during your studies is considered related work experience. Obtaining a position in a polymer laboratory without formal post-secondary chemistry training is extremely difficult. This training is required to work safely in this environment, as the risk of an accident is too great to allow untrained personnel to handle volatile chemicals.
Anyone who wants to work as a polymer chemist needs to be able to work in a lab. The majority of the day is spent in the lab, mixing chemicals, analyzing results, testing the properties of various synthetic chemicals, and documenting experiments. These abilities are taught during post-secondary education. To produce a high-quality work product, accuracy, precision, and focus are all necessary.