Chemist

As a chemist, you’re a type of investigator. But instead of solving crimes your role is to study materials. Your job is to find out what happens when you put them under different circumstances, and from there you’ll report back what you’ve found. You’ll test products or substances to see if they’re safe or can help us in any way.

To become a chemist, there are three different routes.

You can study Chemistry, or something similar, at university level. If you choose this route, you will generally be expected to go on to study at postgraduate level.

There is also the option of doing a degree apprenticeship, this can take from 3 to 5 years to complete. Usually, you’d choose a course titled something like ‘Science Technician or ‘Science Research’.

There is also the option to work your way up the career ladder. Starting as a laboratory technician. If this is the route for you, it’s worth bearing in mind that these roles may ask for some qualifications. So, make sure you check before applying.

Forensic Scientist

As opposed to a Chemist, as a Forensic Scientist, your work does help solve crimes. Your role is to investigate physical evidence that’s found by the police.  You do this to find out what the evidence can tell you that could be important to the case. This helps build a clearer picture of what happened.

If you think a career that combines science and policing might be for you, this could be the pathway to consider.

To become a Forensic Scientist, you can study chemistry or another science at degree level. There is also the option to study Forensic Science. If you choose to do a degree in Chemistry, some jobs might ask you do study Forensic Science at postgraduate level. Make sure you check!

Alternatively, you can pursue the apprenticeship route. This would be at degree level. You’d have to get the right qualifications first, to be accepted to these apprenticeship programs.

If you do have a Chemistry degree and lots of laboratory experience, some employers will be happy to consider individuals for a role in their team.

Clinical Research Associate

Similarly to a chemist, a clinical researcher conducts experiments and studies the results. But this role is in the world of medicine. As a clinical researcher you’d either be testing new medicines or existing ones. You’d be a part of a team that decides whether the drug is safe to use. This could be a new medication or a vaccination that needs improving.

You will need a degree in Chemistry, another life science or Medicine to do this role. There’s also the option of postgraduate qualifications. This is a very desirable role, so it may be worth pursuing that extra qualification – some jobs may ask for it.

There is also the degree apprenticeship route, this isn’t as common a path. But it is still a possibility.