Daily tasks/Routine activities

1. Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.

2. Conduct quality control tests.

3. Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.

4. Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.

5. Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.

6. Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.

7. Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.

8. Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.

9. Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.

10.Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.

11.Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.

12. Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.

13. Study effects of various methods of processing, preserving, or packaging on composition or properties of foods.

Key knowledge activities

The following knowledge areas aid a Chemist  to execute his/her duties better;

Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

The following skills aid a  Chemist carry out his/her duties with ease ;.

Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem