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Career Prospects for Chemists
Knowledge of chemistry principles and methods is valuable in many areas of science and industry. Our Chemistry and Biological Chemistry degree programmes equip students with the latest laboratory techniques, mastery of modern scientific instruments, research experience at the scientific frontier, and internship opportunities at local chemistry-related companies. Our graduates have been able to enter a wide range of fulfilling jobs including research, technical, and managerial positions.
As a forensic scientist with the Health Sciences Authority, I perform laboratory-based analyses of trace evidence and assist law-enforcement officers at crime scenes. The Chemistry and Biological Chemistry programme imparted me with a foundation in the natural sciences, a prerequisite for analysts working in forensic science.”
Louis Koh
BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Class of 2013
Forensic Scientist at the Health Sciences Authority
The various career options found by our recent graduates include:
- Pharmaceutical companies – e.g., GlaxoSmithKlein, Pfizer, Merck Sharpe & Dome,
Kaneka, S*Bio, Merlion Pharmaceuticals, Norvatis, Albany Molecular,
Roche, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi-Aventis. These companies
have extensive R&D positions in Singapore and need medical/organic chemists, process chemists, analytical chemists, and synthetic chemists.
- Petrochemical companies – e.g., Shell, ExxonMobil, Celanese, Eastman Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemicals, and Mitsui Chemicals.
- Polymer/Paint/Semiconductor/Materials companies – e.g., SSMC, STMicroelectronics, 3M, DuPont, Honeywell, Nippon Paint, Philips, and AkzoNobel.
- Government agencies – e.g., HSA and DSO. These agencies employ our graduates for policy work as well as technical positions.
- Education – e.g., NIE and educational institutions.
- Food and beverage manufacturing companies – e.g., Asia Pacific Breweries, FMC, Fraser & Neave, Singapore Airport Terminal Services, and DSM Nutritional Products.
- Quality Control (QC) labs. Analytical chemists are crucial to the functioning of QC programmes in a wide range of companies throughout the economy.
- Research Institutes – e.g., the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Science (ICES), Bioprocess Technology Institute (BTI), Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), and the Institute of Microelectronics (IME).
- Others. Some of our graduates have gone into patent law, bioinformatics, and other jobs.
Science is more than just understanding the theoretical and technical concepts. It encompasses creative thinking, logical and analytical reasoning, and sensitivity to details. These skills have been very useful as I pursued a career outside of the chemicals industry.”
Cheryl Ong
BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Class of 2016
Governance & Strategy Manager, Business Governance Markets,
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ)
