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Science Forum Index » Chemistry Forum » Employability in Chemistry: "hot" fields?
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Message |
| electra_cd@hotmail.com |
 Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 1:04 pm |
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Guest
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Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen |
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| William Penrose |
| Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:56 pm |
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Guest
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On 21 Dec 2003 10:04:43 -0800, electra_cd@hotmail.com
(electra_cd@hotmail.com) wrote:
Quote: Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This gives you an opportunity to choose a new advisor, preferably one
that has the connections to help you get a position when you finish
up. This is probably more important than what field you choose.
If you want to know what's hot now, choose anything with 'nano' in the
name, or 'homeland security' if you live in the US. I'm not being
facetious about this.
Almost for certain, however, the hot fields will be all different when
you finally graduate. It's a constantly moving target.
Bill Penrose |
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| Muhammar |
| Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 10:58 pm |
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Guest
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Synthetic organic chemistry: either synthesis of a complex natural
product or a development of a catalytic asymmetric reaction (or
catalytic organometalic reaction). Skip the postdoc and go to pharma
industry after graduation for a $80000+ salary. You can start looking
for a job before graduation.
electra_cd@hotmail.com (electra_cd@hotmail.com) wrote in message news:<24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com>...
Quote: Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen |
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| William David Thweatt |
| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:30 am |
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Guest
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electra_cd@hotmail.com (electra_cd@hotmail.com) wrote:
: Hello,
: I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
: My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
: follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
: independently.
: This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
: in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
: but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
: need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
: situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
: employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
: government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
: (nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
: project jobs will be.
: My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
: be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
: the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
: Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
: Best,
: Carmen
Take it from a physical chemist, GO ORGANIC!!! You may die at the age of
fifty from some previously unknown form of cancer, but you'll die rich.
--
--
William "Dave" Thweatt
Robert E. Welch Postdoctoral Fellow
Chemistry Department
Rice University
Houston, TX
thweatt@ruf.rice.edu
dave.thweatt@us.army.mil |
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| Steve Turner |
| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 10:08 am |
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muhammar@hotmail.com (Muhammar) wrote:
Quote: Synthetic organic chemistry: either synthesis of a complex natural
product or a development of a catalytic asymmetric reaction (or
catalytic organometalic reaction). Skip the postdoc and go to pharma
industry after graduation for a $80000+ salary. You can start looking
for a job before graduation.
Within the context of the pharma industry, chemists with practical
experience in combinatorial techniques have been in very high demand.
Whether this will still be the case 4-5 years down the road is
anyone's guess...
Steve Turner
Real address contains worldnet instead of spamnet |
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| Marvin Margoshes |
| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 12:25 pm |
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Guest
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<electra_cd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com...
Quote: Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen
Long term, analytical chemists have been in demand. That means instrumental
analysis today, of course. Adding some physics courses can be helpful,
because most instrumental methods are as much physics as chemistry. |
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| Steven P. Burrows |
| Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 10:44 pm |
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Guest
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"Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem@cloud9.net> wrote in message
news:vuea7moabbur24@corp.supernews.com...
Quote:
electra_cd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com...
Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen
Long term, analytical chemists have been in demand. That means
instrumental
analysis today, of course. Adding some physics courses can be helpful,
because most instrumental methods are as much physics as chemistry.
How long term? I was laid off from an environmental analytical lab almost
two years ago and personally I have seen no great demand for analytical
personnel. Prior to this most recent layoff I spent more time ducking
layoffs in other commercial labs by being a computer troubleshooter than I
ever did working with analyses. I have a decade of experience in GC/MS work
and the prospects appear bleak to say the least. It is because of this
outlook that I am working toward getting into a doctoral program at the
relatively advanced age of 44. Meanwhile, I work a a flunky technician in
the chem department of the university where I hope someday soon to attend as
a grad student. If there is a steady demand for analytical chemists in the
US, it is very well concealed!
I don't know what direction I will go in if and when I do get into the
program at my university, but it will definitely not involve the
environment! |
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| Marvin Margoshes |
| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 1:32 pm |
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Guest
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"Steven P. Burrows" <spburrows@cox.net> wrote in message
news:%_LJb.21617$WQ3.19055@lakeread05...
Quote:
"Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem@cloud9.net> wrote in message
news:vuea7moabbur24@corp.supernews.com...
electra_cd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com...
Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen
Long term, analytical chemists have been in demand. That means
instrumental
analysis today, of course. Adding some physics courses can be helpful,
because most instrumental methods are as much physics as chemistry.
How long term? I was laid off from an environmental analytical lab almost
two years ago and personally I have seen no great demand for analytical
personnel. Prior to this most recent layoff I spent more time ducking
layoffs in other commercial labs by being a computer troubleshooter than I
ever did working with analyses. I have a decade of experience in GC/MS
work
and the prospects appear bleak to say the least. It is because of this
outlook that I am working toward getting into a doctoral program at the
relatively advanced age of 44. Meanwhile, I work a a flunky technician in
the chem department of the university where I hope someday soon to attend
as
a grad student. If there is a steady demand for analytical chemists in
the
US, it is very well concealed!
I don't know what direction I will go in if and when I do get into the
program at my university, but it will definitely not involve the
environment!
Have you become overspecialized? Have you looked outside of environmental
labs? Your job search, especially interviews, should have given you insight
into what employers are looking for. I understand that pharmaceutical
companies are looking for HPLC techs. Perhaps you should look for a good
short course.
In my career I changed direction several times, from moplecular spectroscopy
(IR), to biomedical including protein isolation, to emission spectroscopy,
to clinical chemistry. Each time, I brought along knowledge that was useful
n the new field as I learned more about the field.
NOBODY can get through a whole career in one specialty. Those days are
over. |
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| amanda |
| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 3:14 pm |
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Guest
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"Steven P. Burrows" <spburrows@cox.net> wrote in message news:<%_LJb.21617$WQ3.19055@lakeread05>...
Quote: "Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem@cloud9.net> wrote in message
news:vuea7moabbur24@corp.supernews.com...
electra_cd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com...
Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen
Long term, analytical chemists have been in demand. That means
instrumental
analysis today, of course. Adding some physics courses can be helpful,
because most instrumental methods are as much physics as chemistry.
How long term? I was laid off from an environmental analytical lab almost
two years ago and personally I have seen no great demand for analytical
personnel. Prior to this most recent layoff I spent more time ducking
layoffs in other commercial labs by being a computer troubleshooter than I
ever did working with analyses. I have a decade of experience in GC/MS work
and the prospects appear bleak to say the least. It is because of this
outlook that I am working toward getting into a doctoral program at the
relatively advanced age of 44.
Wouldn't you think of Law school then and become patent lawyer? Of
course by the time you finish law school, the demand might not be
good.
Quote: Meanwhile, I work a a flunky technician in
the chem department of the university where I hope someday soon to attend as
a grad student. If there is a steady demand for analytical chemists in the
US, it is very well concealed!
I don't know what direction I will go in if and when I do get into the
program at my university, but it will definitely not involve the
environment! |
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| Steven P. Burrows |
| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 11:49 pm |
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Guest
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Quote: Long term, analytical chemists have been in demand. That means
instrumental
analysis today, of course. Adding some physics courses can be
helpful,
because most instrumental methods are as much physics as chemistry.
How long term? I was laid off from an environmental analytical lab
almost
two years ago and personally I have seen no great demand for analytical
personnel. Prior to this most recent layoff I spent more time ducking
layoffs in other commercial labs by being a computer troubleshooter than
I
ever did working with analyses. I have a decade of experience in GC/MS
work
and the prospects appear bleak to say the least. It is because of this
outlook that I am working toward getting into a doctoral program at the
relatively advanced age of 44.
Wouldn't you think of Law school then and become patent lawyer? Of
course by the time you finish law school, the demand might not be
good.
Meanwhile, I work a a flunky technician in
the chem department of the university where I hope someday soon to
attend as
a grad student. If there is a steady demand for analytical chemists in
the
US, it is very well concealed!
I don't know what direction I will go in if and when I do get into the
program at my university, but it will definitely not involve the
environment!
First, I am set on remaining in chemistry. Maybe I seem a masochist, but I
like working things out in labs. I would NEVER consider becoming a lawyer.
Secondly, I worked in environmental testing because there was little else to
do with a chemistry degree in my area when I finished undergrad in 1989.
Prior to going back to school in '85 I worked for six years as a research
support technician for several companies in the telecommunications optical
fiber manufacturing business, including an ITT division in my present
location (Roanoke, VA). I really accidentally slid into environmental gas
chromatography and GCMS through a summer job while I was in school.
I have found that attempts to get serious lab work outside of the
environmental testing business are met with great suspicion. I have
interviewed for a few industrial QA/QC jobs within driving distance. The
pharmaceutical businesses seem to be completely uninterested in somebody
with an environmental background. Applications for openings and general
resume submissions are generally ignored. I was passed over for a job in a
local wastewater treatment plant, as I was determined to be "overqualified".
I was rejected from consideration for a job in the optical fiber business in
1995 with a large company (Sumitomo) because the managers at that facility
in RTP, NC felt that I would be too tempted to return to the environmental
field by the companies in that area. I could not convince them (or others
for that matter) that I am not some sort of environmental activist, but
merely a chemist with no particular agenda. Then and now I would like
nothing better than to permanently get out of the environmental testing
business.
Given the shortage of prospects in my area and my inability to relocate due
to family commitments, I decided on attempting to go to graduate school even
before I was laid off by my most recent "real" job. I am most definitely
working well below my abilities in my present work (mixing bulk solutions of
NaOH, HCl, and H2SO4 vs. running, repairing, and reporting organics
instrumentation work). Certainly the pay is a lot less. On the up side, I
can depend on being able to take courses here and there at the university,
tuition free. In as much as I have been directed to retake about three or
four undergrad chem and advanced math courses to demonstrate my worthiness
to enter graduate school, I have little choice.
Like many in our allegedly recovering economy, I simply have given up
looking for a real career-type job for now. |
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| PSmith9626 |
| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 11:28 am |
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Guest
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Dear steven,
Consider teaching high school chemistry--there is a shortage.
Benefits are good.
You get summers off.
You do need a masters degree, and you are taking care of that now.
best
Penny
>Message-id: <h16Kb.21903$WQ3.10271@lakeread05> |
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| amanda |
| Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:25 pm |
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Guest
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psmith9626@aol.com (PSmith9626) wrote in message news:<20040106112851.15599.00002614@mb-m03.aol.com>...
Quote: Dear steven,
Consider teaching high school chemistry--there is a shortage.
Benefits are good.
You get summers off.
You do need a masters degree, and you are taking care of that now.
best
Penny
Message-id: <h16Kb.21903$WQ3.10271@lakeread05
That reminded me of something. A friend of mine went into High Scholl
Chemistry teaching. In fact, with a Master's degree, one can teach at
Community Colleges, right? I don't do it because I cannot handle the
chemical smell to supervise the lab assignments. |
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| dave e |
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 11:41 am |
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Guest
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"Marvin Margoshes" <physnospamchem@cloud9.net> wrote in message news:<vuea7moabbur24@corp.supernews.com>...
Quote: electra_cd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com...
Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen
Long term, analytical chemists have been in demand. That means instrumental
analysis today, of course. Adding some physics courses can be helpful,
because most instrumental methods are as much physics as chemistry.
Just make sure you can stomach spending years of your life running the
same routine assay over and over again. (Or maybe with a PhD you can
hire a few technicians to run the assay while you summarize the same
results over and over again in your reports).
Dave |
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| Mike Darrett |
| Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 12:40 pm |
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Guest
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electra_cd@hotmail.com (electra_cd@hotmail.com) wrote in message news:<24e9f519.0312211004.5daa92fc@posting.google.com>...
Quote: Hello,
I am a second year Ph.D. student at a well-ranked chemistry program.
My research adviser will be leaving the school shortly, and I cannot
follow my adviser, nor am I far enough along in my project to work
independently.
This presents me with the opportunity to start a new project, perhaps
in a new field. I worked in a biochemical/ biophysical lab until now,
but my interests within chemistry are very broad. Because of this, I
need to find another way to narrow my choices. Given the economic
situation, I'd be interested to take on a project that will make me
employable after I graduate (most likely in an industrial or
government setting.) I am having difficulty with the usual channels
(nextwave, acs, etc) in telling me where the jobs are and where they
project jobs will be.
My request is for your speculations and opinions, from which I might
be able to glean some kind of trend, and focus my searches. What are
the "hot fields" in chemistry? Which fields may soon become obsolete?
Any thoughts you share will be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Carmen
At the university I graduated from, catalysis (especially for
petroleum) in the department of chemical engineering seems pretty
popular. Personally, I find syngas catalysts (i.e. Fischer-Tropsch,
methanol/ethanol synthesis) interesting, but that's just me.
You might want to take a peek at your local department of chemical
engineering, to see if anything the faculty offers interests you.
How about pharmacology? Or medicine?
Good luck
Mike |
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| EdiSon |
| Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:36 pm |
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Guest
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electra_cd@hotmail.com (electra_cd@hotmail.com) wrote: (.....)
You are so lucky! Do you fancy biology and human body? Check out your
local physiology department, they might have something that interest
you.
Good Luck ^________________________________________________^)" |
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