Chemist Job Description
Use this template to create a clear, practical job advert for a laboratory chemist who will run analyses, support method work and maintain accurate records in a regulated lab environment.
What does a Chemist professional do?
A chemist applies chemical knowledge and laboratory techniques to analyse materials, develop or validate methods, and ensure data and processes meet quality and safety standards.
Chemist job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Chemist
About the role
[Company] is recruiting a Chemist to join our laboratory team in [Location]. You will carry out routine and investigative chemical analyses using techniques such as chromatography and spectroscopy, follow standard operating procedures, maintain accurate laboratory records, and support method development and validation. This is a [Full-time/Part-time], [Permanent/Fixed-term] role reporting to the [Line manager]. Competitive [Salary/Rate] and [Primary benefits].
Key responsibilities
- Perform routine and non-routine chemical analyses using techniques such as HPLC, GC, titration, UV/Vis and IR as required by the team.
- Prepare samples, reagents and standards following documented procedures and maintain cleanliness of laboratory workspaces.
- Record experimental data and results accurately in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems; produce clear summary reports.
- Follow and contribute to writing, reviewing and following SOPs, method validations and QC procedures.
- Operate, calibrate and perform basic maintenance on laboratory equipment; escalate faults to engineering support.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety and waste disposal procedures, including COSHH risk assessments and PPE use.
- Support troubleshooting of analytical issues and participate in method development or optimisation projects.
- Collaborate with colleagues across quality, production and R&D to meet testing schedules and project milestones.
Essential skills and experience
- Degree in chemistry or a closely related scientific subject, or equivalent laboratory experience.
- Practical experience in a laboratory environment with routine analytical techniques (e.g. chromatography, spectroscopy, wet chemistry).
- Good record-keeping and data-handling skills, including following SOPs and preparing basic technical reports.
- Understanding of health & safety in the lab, including safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
- Attention to detail, problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Desirable
- Experience with method development and validation or quality control in a regulated environment.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or electronic lab notebooks.
- Experience maintaining or troubleshooting analytical instrumentation and routine calibration.
- Knowledge of GLP or ISO 17025 standards and audit readiness.
- Postgraduate qualification (MSc/PhD) or industrial experience in a sector-relevant area (pharmaceuticals, materials, environmental).
What we offer
- Competitive pension scheme (placeholder)
- Generous annual leave entitlement (placeholder)
- Continuing professional development / training budget (placeholder)
- Employer-sponsored healthcare or wellness benefits (placeholder)
- Structured induction and laboratory training (placeholder)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Chemist role?
A chemist conducts laboratory analyses and experiments to test and characterise chemical substances, support product or process development, and ensure compliance with quality and safety standards. The role requires hands-on use of analytical instruments, careful sample preparation, accurate data recording and adherence to laboratory protocols. Chemists frequently collaborate with technical teams to solve analytical problems and improve methods.
Day-to-day work
Hands-on laboratory analysis, sample prep, instrument operation, data entry and report writing.
Core techniques
Chromatography, spectroscopy, titration, method validation and basic instrument maintenance.
Safety & compliance
Following COSHH principles, SOPs and good laboratory practice to maintain a safe regulated laboratory.
Who you'll work with
Cross-functional teams in quality, production, R&D and engineering to meet testing and project aims.
Typical Chemist responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Perform routine
Perform routine and non-routine chemical analyses using techniques such as HPLC, GC, titration, UV/Vis and IR as required by the team.
Prepare samples
Prepare samples, reagents and standards following documented procedures and maintain cleanliness of laboratory workspaces.
Record experimental data
Record experimental data and results accurately in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems; produce clear summary reports.
Follow
Follow and contribute to writing, reviewing and following SOPs, method validations and QC procedures.
Operate
Operate, calibrate and perform basic maintenance on laboratory equipment; escalate faults to engineering support.
Ensure compliance with health
Ensure compliance with health, safety and waste disposal procedures, including COSHH risk assessments and PPE use.
Support troubleshooting of analytical issues
Support troubleshooting of analytical issues and participate in method development or optimisation projects.
Collaborate with colleagues across quality
Collaborate with colleagues across quality, production and R&D to meet testing schedules and project milestones.
Chemist skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Degree in chemistry or a closely related scientific subject, or equivalent laboratory experience.
- Practical experience in a laboratory environment with routine analytical techniques (e.g. chromatography, spectroscopy, wet chemistry).
- Good record-keeping and data-handling skills, including following SOPs and preparing basic technical reports.
- Understanding of health & safety in the lab, including safe handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
- Attention to detail, problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with method development and validation or quality control in a regulated environment.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or electronic lab notebooks.
- Experience maintaining or troubleshooting analytical instrumentation and routine calibration.
- Knowledge of GLP or ISO 17025 standards and audit readiness.
- Postgraduate qualification (MSc/PhD) or industrial experience in a sector-relevant area (pharmaceuticals, materials, environmental).
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Chemist job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about techniques
List the key analytical methods and instruments candidates must be familiar with (for example HPLC, GC, UV/Vis). This filters for immediately productive applicants.
Clarify the work setting
State whether the role is in QC, R&D or process support and whether it involves routine testing, development work or both.
Set realistic essential criteria
Only make qualifications or certifications essential when legally or operationally required; specify equivalent practical experience as an alternative.
Highlight safety and quality expectations
Tell applicants about expected safety training, record-keeping standards and any accreditation (e.g. GLP/ISO) relevant to the lab.
Chemist salary considerations
Chemist pay varies by sector, location, seniority and the complexity of techniques required. When setting a salary range, consider the candidate’s level of experience, the technical skills needed, any supervisory responsibilities, and whether the role requires shift work or out-of-hours duties.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Chemist candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What are the typical working hours and shift patterns?
Candidates want to know if the role is standard office hours, involves shift work, weekend cover or occasional overtime.
What health & safety arrangements are in place?
Applicants will ask about PPE, COSHH procedures, training on hazardous materials and incident reporting processes.
Which instruments and techniques will I use day-to-day?
Be prepared to specify the main analytical platforms, software and any specialist equipment the role requires.
What training and development opportunities exist?
Candidates often look for ongoing CPD, access to external courses and support for professional qualifications.
What is the expected sample throughput or workload?
Clarify typical daily or weekly testing volumes, turnaround times and the balance between routine and investigational work.
Who will I report to and how large is the team?
Provide the job’s reporting line, whether the post involves supervision, and an overview of the immediate team size.
Where to post a Chemist job
This role suits candidates found on general UK job boards, scientific and laboratory-specific sites, professional networks and local university careers services. For industry roles, target sector-specific boards and professional associations; for early-career hires, include local universities and laboratory technician communities. Consider internal communications for development or promotion candidates and use LinkedIn or specialist science groups for experienced analysts.
Related science & laboratory job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Chemist job description FAQs
Do chemists need formal qualifications?
Many employers expect a degree in chemistry or a related science, but equivalent hands-on laboratory experience can be acceptable for some roles. Specify your minimum acceptable qualification and whether practical experience can substitute.
What background checks should I run?
Standard checks include right-to-work, references and employment history. For regulated sectors you may also need occupational health assessments and security vetting depending on the employer and materials handled.
How can I assess a candidate’s practical skills?
Use a combination of technical interview questions, practical assessments or work trials, and review of laboratory records or examples of method write-ups. For junior roles, structured practical tests are often effective.
Should I ask for specific instrument experience?
Yes — require experience with the instruments essential for the role and list others as desirable. Indicate whether on-the-job training will be provided for unfamiliar equipment.
Can chemists work remotely?
Pure laboratory roles require on-site attendance for hands-on work. Remote or hybrid arrangements may be possible for data analysis, reporting or project meetings, but these should be defined in the advert.
Ready to post your Chemist vacancy?
Use the copy above to create a clear advert that attracts candidates with the right technical skills. Edit the placeholders for company-specific details, add your exact requirements, and list the tangible benefits you offer.
