Chemical technologists’ responsibilities differ significantly depending on the industry in which they work. Chemical technologists’ responsibilities may include the creation of new chemical compounds, their testing to ensure their safety, and the development of processes that allow compounds to be created safely and efficiently. Chemical technologists work in a variety of settings, including pharmaceutical companies, universities, environmental organizations, and any other company that creates chemical compounds.
Research and development is one of the most common chemical technologist jobs. These technologists may collaborate with a group of scientists and engineers or work alone to develop new compounds or new applications for existing ones. This type of work necessitates a thorough understanding of the chemical properties of a wide range of compounds.
Experimentation-focused chemical technologists are also available. New compounds must be tested in a variety of ways, and the technologist must occasionally be able to devise new experiments to determine the properties of various compounds. These technologists are responsible for maintaining the lab’s equipment as well as ensuring that experiments are conducted safely.
Quality control jobs are also available for chemical technologists. These technologists take chemical compound samples and test them to ensure that they meet purity standards and that there are no other issues with them. If a chemical isn’t working properly, the technologist can try to fix it by changing the composition.
Chemical technologists assist in the manufacture of chemical compounds. These individuals supervise plants to ensure that chemicals are handled and mixed safely, and that compounds are created according to the specifications set forth by R&D technologists. Plant technologists frequently work independently of other plant managers, stepping in to correct problems as needed.
Chemical technologists work in companies that create new chemicals for the most part. Chemical technologists can also work in industries that use these chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, and fuels manufacturers. These technicians may also be hired by universities to collaborate on projects with other technologists, engineers, or scientists. Chemical technologists’ jobs are often very specialized, and most technologists must specialize in a field of chemical technology while still in school.