What jobs can I do?

A chemistry qualification opens the door to a wide range of careers options, both in and out of the lab

You could help develop a life-saving vaccine. Or invent a new way to cut air pollution. Or create a new type of biodegradable plastic. Chemical scientists all over the world are working on climate change, human health, sustainable energy…issues that impact us all.

Graphic showing career paths in chemistry

What do you care most about?

  • Changing lives. As a chemist you could be developing new medicines, vaccines and medical devices
  • Fixing the future.  Chemical scientists are finding ways to cope with the increasing pressures on energy, food, water and other scarce natural resources and to live more sustainably
  • Innovating industry. As a chemistry professional you could be developing sustainable products and materials, and improving processes
  • Challenging opinions. How about promoting scientific research and lobbying for policy changes.
  • Being the catalyst. You could inspire others through teaching chemistry
  • Working outside the lab in areas like the law, finance, journalism, the government and teaching

You will be part of an estimated 275,000-strong workforce (2019) and contribute an enormous £87 billion to UK GDP (2019). Want to find out more?

Jobs, sectors and locations of chemistry-using professionals in 2019 (pdf 660kb)

For more ideas check out these websites

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