Chemical Technician
What the work is
Performs laboratory tests on organic and inorganic chemicals, analyses test data, and carries out technical functions in support of Chemists or Chemical Engineers in a wide variety of areas, such as fuels, agricultural products, food, pharmaceuticals, paints, metals, plastics, textiles, detergents, paper, fertilisers and cosmetics.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Assists in setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analysis on organic and inorganic chemicals according to existing procedures
- Assists in the fabrication, installation and modification of chemistry equipment to ensure it meets standards
- Collects samples from production batches, and tests them for impurities and defects
- Sets up and maintains chemistry laboratory equipment, instruments and inventory
- Assists in monitoring the quality of products and processes at chemical manufacturing facilities to ensure they meet standards and specifications
- Undertakes a limited range of technical activities to support chemical research
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a school science laboratory and prep room, supporting teachers and students through the school week. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A practical lesson goes smoothly because every piece of equipment was where the teacher needed it
- A student asks what you do and then wants to see the prep room
- A tricky experiment finally works, and a whole class cheers
Hard days
- A teacher asks for a practical lesson that needs preparing by first period tomorrow
- A spill or breakage that has to be handled safely before the next class arrives
- Cleaning, counting and labelling long after the students have left
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 311531, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.