Career scopes in chemistry

By Dr. Satyajit Mondal and Dr. Soumendra Nath Bandyopadhyay

Chemistry is an integral part of the day-to-day life of human beings and society. From the very ancient days of alchemy to today’s modern high-tech chemistry, the subject marched a long way down the path of technological advancements and groundbreaking inventions. The rapid development of chemistry in the twentieth century completely changed the way we live today. Possibly the greatest perceived benefits came from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The development of life-saving drugs and medical methods boosted the average life expectancy of human beings way above our ancestors by almost 30 years! In our everyday life, we became completely dependent on chemical industries. Almost anything that we use today is actively or passively linked to chemical industries. The overwhelming power of chemistry provides infinite opportunities to pursue this subject as a career building option for young students.
Chemical industries are booming all over the world. And why not? Beginning from the toothpaste, soap, oils, clothes, any plastic or metallic materials, colors, medicines, drinking water, food, fuels etc. to whatever products we use is a direct or indirect product of chemical industries.
Depending on the huge demand for chemical products, there are huge job opportunities if a student pursues chemistry. Apart from the huge demand in industries, there are also aspects of research and development of any product and companies regularly recruiting scientists for this purpose. Of course, there are job opportunities if a person wants to become a teacher in chemistry. That is the academic part of the job opportunity. Also, quality control officer posts are filled from the chemists generally.
Fellow of chemistry may become an entrepreneur by manufacturing different chemical products. Among the vast job opportunities available for a chemistry student, some of them are listed below:
Academic Jobs
[1] Teacher in Schools
[2] Assistant Professor in Colleges, Universities and other Higher Education Institutes
[3] Scientist in Research Laboratories

Government Jobs
[1] Chemist in Central Ground Water Board
[2] Chemist in Forensic Science Laboratory
[3] Chemist in Indian Bureau of Mines
[4] Chemist in National Test House
[5] Chemist inNational Tea Research Foundation (NTRF)
[6] Chemist in Ordnance Factory
[7] Chemist in Thermal Power Plant
[8] Chemist in National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)
[9] Chemist in Drugs Testing Laboratory
[10] Chemist in Railway
[11] Scientific Officer in Pollution Control Board
[12] Scientific Officer in Atomic Research Centre
[13] Scientific Officer in Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
[14] Scientific Officer in Geological Survey of India (GSI)
[15] Scientific Officer in Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
[16] Scientific Officer in Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
[17] Officer in India Government Mint
[18] Quality Control Officer in Oil Refineries Companies
[19] Food Safety Officer
[20] Examiner of Patents & Designs in Patent Office

Private Jobs
[1] Scientific Officer in Cosmetic Industries
[2] Scientific Officer in Soaps and Detergent Industries
[3] Scientific Officer in Personal Care and Home Care product manufacturing Industries
[4] Scientific Officer in Pharmaceutical Industries
[5] Chemist in Food Industries
[6] Chemist in Paint Industries
[7] Chemist in Soft Drinks Industries
[8] Chemist in Liquor Industries
[9] Chemist in Petrochemical Industries
[10] Chemist in Polymer Industries
[11] Chemist in Cement Industries
[12] Chemist in Textile Industries
[13] Chemist in Enzymes Industries
[14] Chemist in Paper Industries
[15] Chemist in Chemical Industries

(The writers are assistant professors department of chemistry, ICFAI University Tripura)