Explore career options in chemistry
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles studying chemistry may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Chemists study the chemical and physical properties of a wide range of substances and products and develop and monitor chemical production and processes.
Many industries need chemical-based products, including the components needed for food, drugs, or materials.
Chemistry graduates develop a range of transferrable skills by designing, monitoring and analysing data from projects and experiments, much of which can also be applied beyond the science and technology sectors.
Career fields
*Denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required
- Chemical manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Environmental consultancies
- Chemical laboratories
- Pharmacology
- Food production and development
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Waste management
- Forensic science/toxicology
- Petroleum production and research
- Criminal justice system/policing
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Medical and scientific research*
- Teaching*
- Chemical engineering*
- Medicine*
Employment roles
- Analytical chemist/scientist
- Industrial chemist
- Research and development chemist
- Quality control chemist/analyst
- Organics chemist
- Product development chemist
- Chemical laboratory technician
- Paint chemist
- Biochemist
- Formulation chemist
- Research scientist/associate
- Forensic chemist
- HPLC development chemist
- Scientific officer
- Technical specialist—chemical
- Toxicology scientist
- Environmental officer
- Scientific evaluator
- Chemistry teacher*
- Research and development chemist*
*Denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required
Occupation snapshot
Employed
3,700
Future demand
Moderate
Weekly earnings
$1,581
Part-time share
20%
This data is based on the occupation profile for chemists, retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia website and YourCareer website August 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources, including:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- Australian Defence Force
- Australian Federal Police vacancies
- Australian Public Service Jobs
- Chemistry World
- CS Executive Group
- CSIRO
- Ethical Jobs
- Environmental Jobs
- Evolve Scientific Recruitment
- NRMjobs
- ResearchCareer
- TechStaff
- NSW Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Seek
Innovation in the chemistry field
Griffith University researchers have developed innovative, eco-friendly quantum materials that can drive the transformation of methanol into ethylene glycol.
Led by Professor Qin Li, from Griffith’s Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, the team’s method uses solar-driven photocatalysis to convert methanol into ethylene glycol under mild conditions.
“Our research demonstrates a significant step towards green chemistry, showing how sustainable materials can be used to achieve important chemical transformations,” Professor Li says.
Read the full article in Griffith News
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. Such associations hold regular professional development and networking events.
Relevant associations include:
- Chemistry Australia
- Royal Australian Chemical Institute
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists
- Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society
- Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists
- Australasian Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and is committed to promoting decent work and economic growth, advancing the principles of responsible and sustainable consumption and production, and advocating for peace, justice, and resilient institutional frameworks.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.