Chemistry

Prospects of Having a Chemistry Degree

Chemistry graduates have much scope to use their knowledge within a range of research sectors, including roles within chemical engineering, chemical and related industries, healthcare and more. Research careers are more diverse than they might first appear, as there are many different reasons to conduct research and many possible environments. You could be based in a university, combining research with teaching; in a pharmaceutical company, working on developing and trailing new drugs; or in a public-sector research centre, helping to ensure national healthcare provision keeps pace with new discoveries.

While the job of a research scientist varies, most chemistry careers in research are based in laboratories, where research is conducted by teams following rigorous scientific methods and standards that you’ll already be acquainted with, having completed a chemistry degree. Some examples of the diverse research done by chemistry experts include discovery of new medicines and vaccines, forensic analysis for criminal cases, improving understanding of environmental issues, and development of new chemical products and materials (e.g. cosmetics, paints, plastics, food and drink).