Engineering ServicesISCO 3111
Chemistry technician
A chemistry technician is a person who tests chemical substances and monitors chemical processes in a laboratory or in a production plant.
Check yourself in a minute: chemistry technician
Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
handle chemicals
mix chemicals
maintain laboratory equipment
contact scientists
improve chemical processes
About chemistry technician
The chemistry technician works by laboratory technique: preparing samples and reagents, running determinations, titrating, measuring acidity, carrying out gravimetric work and using analytical instruments. Chemical experiments are performed to procedure, so that a result can be repeated. Chemicals are handled properly: their labelling, safety data sheets, storage and what to do about a spill are all part of the job.
Analysis is also work with data. The technician analyses chemical substances, processes the results, compares them against requirements and reports on the work — in a test report, as an entry in a system, or as a remark passed to a chemist or a process technologist. Assistance in scientific research belongs here where a laboratory serves science.
In a production plant, process supervision is added. The technician manages chemical process inspections: taking samples from the plant at set points and set times, judging whether the process is running inside its range, and reporting a departure before it affects a whole batch. Chemical processes are understood, so the technician knows what can go wrong at a given stage. Chemical technician education requirements are set by the employer; a technical chemistry qualification or a laboratory course is one route in.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a chemistry technician.
1
Laboratory Testing and Analysis
- Perform laboratory tests on chemical samples using established protocols and techniques
- Analyse chemical substances and interpret data to determine composition and purity
- Test chemical samples for quality assurance and compliance with specifications
2
Chemical Handling and Preparation
- Handle chemicals safely according to established safety procedures and protocols
- Mix chemicals in precise proportions for experiments and manufacturing processes
- Transfer chemicals between containers and equipment while maintaining safety standards
3
Equipment Maintenance and Safety
- Maintain laboratory equipment in proper working condition through regular cleaning and calibration
- Apply safety procedures in the laboratory including proper use of protective equipment
- Follow health and safety regulations to prevent accidents and chemical exposure
4
Chemical Process Monitoring
- Monitor chemical processes to ensure they proceed according to specifications
- Manage chemical process inspection and document observations and measurements
- Identify opportunities to improve chemical processes and enhance efficiency
5
Documentation and Reporting
- Write work-related reports documenting test results, analysis findings, and observations
- Maintain detailed records of all laboratory activities and experimental procedures
6
Collaboration and Communication
- Contact scientists and chemists to discuss results and obtain guidance on procedures
- Work with chemicals and chemical products according to specifications provided by supervisors
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (27)
chemical productschemical productsThe offered chemical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.green chemistrygreen chemistryThe process of creating chemical products that diminish or cancel the negative impact on the environment caused by the use of hazardous substances. It follows all the phases of chemical product genera...health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.basic chemicalsbasic chemicalsThe production and characteristisc of organic basic chemicals such as ethanol, methanol, benzene and inorganic basic chemicals such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen.handle chemicalshandle chemicalsSafely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.mix chemicalsmix chemicalsMix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.maintain laboratory equipmentmaintain laboratory equipmentClean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.contact scientistscontact scientistsListen, reply, and establish a fluid communication relationship with scientists in order to extrapolate their findings and information into a varied array of applications including business and indust...improve chemical processesimprove chemical processesCollect data required to make improvements or modifications to chemical processes. Develop new industrial processes, design new process plants/equipment or modify existing ones.transfer chemicalstransfer chemicalsTransfer the chemical mixture from the mixing tank to the storage tank by turning on the valves.manage chemical processes inspectionmanage chemical processes inspectionManage the chemical in-process inspection, making sure the inspection results are documented, the inspection procedures are well written and the checklists are updated.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.process dataprocess dataEnter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.perform chemical experimentsperform chemical experimentsPerform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.chemical processeschemical processesThe relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.analyse chemical substancesanalyse chemical substancesStudy and test chemical sustances to analyse their composition and characteristics.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.test chemical samplestest chemical samplesPerform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schem...prepare chemical samplesprepare chemical samplesPrepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.regulate chemical reactionregulate chemical reactionRegulate the reaction by adjusting the steam and coolant valves so that the reaction is within the specified limits for explosion prevention.manage chemical testing proceduresmanage chemical testing proceduresManage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.work with chemicalswork with chemicalsHandle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.use chemical analysis equipmentuse chemical analysis equipmentUse the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.monitor chemical process conditionmonitor chemical process conditionMonitor the conformity of the chemical process, checking all indicators or warning signals provided by the instruments such as recording instruments, flowmeters and panel lights.
Optional (35) — show
radiologyradiologyRadiology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.high-performance liquid chromatographyhigh-performance liquid chromatographyAnalytic chemistry technique used to identify and quantify the components of a mixture.gas chromatographygas chromatographyThe principles of gas chromatography used to analyse and separate specific compounds which go to vaporisation without decomposition.nuclear energynuclear energyThe generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam ...quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.risks associated to physical, chemical, biological hazards in food and beveragesrisks associated to physical, chemical, biological hazards in food and beveragesInterpretation of laboratory tests for parameters affecting food safety taking into account risks associated with physical, chemical, and biological hazards in food and beverages.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...computational chemistrycomputational chemistryThe branch of chemistry that aims at addressing complex chemical problems through computer simulations.gel permeation chromatographygel permeation chromatographyPolymer analysis technique which separates the analytes on the basis of their weight.mass spectrometrymass spectrometryMass spectrometry is the analytical technique that makes use of the measurements performed at gas-phase ions and the ratio mass-to-charge.measure chemical substance viscositymeasure chemical substance viscosityMeasure the viscosity of the mixed ingredients by using a viscosimeter.collect samplescollect samplesSet up and operate equipment to collect water, gas, oil or soil samples for testing.organize chemical reagentsorganize chemical reagentsOrganize the handling, addition, and disposal of chemical reagents used to help separate products from raw mineral.use chromatography softwareuse chromatography softwareUse the chromatography data system software which collects and analyses the chromatography detectors results.perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.conduct laboratory chemical research on metalsconduct laboratory chemical research on metalsPerform all laboratory chemical quality control tests for basic metals under national and international standards, applying methods of preparing samples and procedures of doing the tests. Analyse and ...analyse scientific dataanalyse scientific dataCollect and analyse scientific data resulting from research. Interpret these data according to certain standards and viewpoints in order to comment on it.conduct quality control analysisconduct quality control analysisConduct inspections and tests of services, processes, or products to evaluate quality.follow nuclear plant safety precautionsfollow nuclear plant safety precautionsComply with nuclear power plant safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of the public.analyse samples of food and beveragesanalyse samples of food and beveragesExamine if food or beverages are safe for human consumption. Verify the right levels of key ingredients and the correctness of the label declarations and the levels of nutrients present. Ensure sample...advise on manufacturing problemsadvise on manufacturing problemsAdvise the visited industrial plants on how to better oversee production to ensure that the manufacturing problems are correctly diagnosed and solved.document analysis resultsdocument analysis resultsDocument on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.test chemical auxiliariestest chemical auxiliariesConduct analysis to characterise the content of the mixtures of chemical auxiliaries. These include the determination of the water content, the amount of active principles declared, looking for potent...work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.develop scientific research protocolsdevelop scientific research protocolsDevelop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.archive scientific documentationarchive scientific documentationStore documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for th...maintain chemical mixersmaintain chemical mixersTend the equipment and mixers used for chemical substances mixing having as the end products goods used in cleaning, bleaching, finishing carpets or other textiles.apply liquid chromatographyapply liquid chromatographyApply the knowledge of polymer characterization and liquid chromatography in the development of new products.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.operate scientific measuring equipmentoperate scientific measuring equipmentOperate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...conduct chemical testing on basic metalsconduct chemical testing on basic metalsPerform examinations and tests on all kinds of metals in order to ensure high quality and chemical resistance.use microsoft officeuse microsoft officeUse the standard programs contained in Microsoft Office. Create a document and do basic formatting, insert page breaks, create headers or footers, and insert graphics, create automatically generated t...chemical preservationchemical preservationProcess of adding chemical compounds to a product, such as food or pharmaceutical products, to prevent decay caused by chemical changes or microbial activity.develop chemical productsdevelop chemical productsResearch and create new chemicals and plastics used in the production of a variety of goods such as pharmaceuticals, textile, building materials and household products.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a chemistry technician do?
Chemistry technicians monitor chemical processes and conduct tests to analyse chemical substances for manufacturing or scientific purposes. They work in laboratories or production facilities where they assist chemists in their work. Chemistry technicians perform laboratory activities, test chemical substances, analyse data and report about their work.
What skills does a chemistry technician need?
A chemistry technician needs 27 essential skills, including chemical products, green chemistry, health and safety regulations, basic chemicals, handle chemicals.
Will AI replace chemistry technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for chemistry technician is 58/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: process data, archive scientific documentation, quality standards. Most resilient: handle chemicals, contact scientists, apply safety procedures in laboratory.
AI Replacement Risk
58/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills27
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