Chromatographer

Chromatographer article illustration

Description

Chromatographers apply the corresponding chromatography techniques (such as gas, liquid or ion exchange techniques) to identify and analyse samples’ chemical compounds. They calibrate and maintain the chromatography machinery and prepare the equipment and solutions. Chromatographers may also develop and apply new chromatography methods according to samples and chemical compounds that need to be analysed.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to chromatographer:

high performance liquid chromatographer
thin layer chromatographer
chromatography machine operative
chromatography machine operator
mass spectrometry specialist
ion-exchange chromatographer
chromatography technician
gas chromatographer
mass spectrometry technician
LC-MS specialist
liquid chromatographer
chromatography machine technician
gel permeation chromatographer

Minimum qualifications

Typically, employers in chromatography fields require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Academic and research positions usually require a graduate degree. Appropriate areas of study for a career as a chromatographer include organic chemistry or biochemistry.

In an organic chemistry or biochemistry program, students explore problems in organic chemistry, learn methods for preparing compounds for analysis, study compound properties, work with electronic theories in chemistry and investigate chromatography methods. Courses may include organic chemistry, quantitative chemistry, mass spectrometry, separation theories and biochemistry.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Chromatographer is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Chromatographer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to chromatographer.

chemistry technician
chemical processing supervisor
chemical processing plant controller
physics technician
chemical manufacturing quality technician

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of chromatographer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of chromatographer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

analytical chemist
assayer
chemist
toxicologist
pharmaceutical quality specialist

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of chromatographer.

  • Chemical products: The offered chemical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
  • High-performance liquid chromatography: Analytic chemistry technique used to identify and quantify the components of a mixture.
  • Chemical processes: The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, separation, emulgation and dispergation processing.
  • Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
  • Laboratory-based sciences: Laboratory based sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science or advanced laboratory science.
  • Gel permeation chromatography: Polymer analysis technique which separates the analytes on the basis of their weight.
  • Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of chromatographer.

  • Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
  • Use chromatography software: Use the chromatography data system software which collects and analyses the chromatography detectors results.
  • Handle chemicals: Safely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.
  • Mix chemicals: Mix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.
  • Contact scientists: Listen, reply, and establish a fluid communication relationship with scientists in order to extrapolate their findings and information into a varied array of applications including business and industry.
  • Improve chemical processes: Collect data required to make improvements or modifications to chemical processes. Develop new industrial processes, design new process plants/equipment or modify existing ones.
  • Transfer chemicals: Transfer the chemical mixture from the mixing tank to the storage tank by turning on the valves.
  • Perform chemical experiments: Perform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.
  • Manage chemical processes inspection: Manage the chemical in-process inspection, making sure the inspection results are documented, the inspection procedures are well written and the checklists are updated.
  • Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
  • Document analysis results: Document on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.
  • Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
  • Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
  • Handle chemical products for soil and plants: Handle chemical products for soil and plants includes cleaning the equipment used for spreading and spraying, mixing of chemicals, preparing pesticides and herbicides for spraying, preparing fertilisers for spreading.
  • Work with chemicals: Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.
  • Follow laboratory manuals: Follow laboratory manuals, documents with industry jargon, phrases and diagrams, allowing a quality controller to easily read and interpret these documents.
  • Test chemical samples: Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
  • Manage chemical testing procedures: Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.
  • Apply liquid chromatography: Apply the knowledge of polymer characterization and liquid chromatography in the development of new products.
  • Use chemical analysis equipment: Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equipment, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
  • Operate scientific measuring equipment: Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.
  • Prepare chemical samples: Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.
  • Monitor chemical process condition: Monitor the conformity of the chemical process, checking all indicators or warning signals provided by the instruments such as recording instruments, flowmeters and panel lights.
  • Regulate chemical reaction: Regulate the reaction by adjusting the steam and coolant valves so that the reaction is within the specified limits for explosion prevention.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chromatographer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Project management principles: Different elements and phases of project management.
  • Mass spectrometry: Mass spectrometry is the analytical technique that makes use of the measurements performed at gas-phase ions and the ratio mass-to-charge.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chromatographer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Keep up to date on product knowledge: Gather the latest information on developments related to the existing or supported products, methods or techniques.
  • Create project specifications: Define the workplan, duration, deliverables, resources and procedures a project has to follow to achieve its goals. Describe project goals, outcomes, results and implementation scenarios.
  • Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
  • Develop scientific research protocols: Develop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.
  • Archive scientific documentation: Store documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for their research.
  • Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
  • Apply organisational techniques: Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
  • Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
  • Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
  • Use Microsoft Office: Possess the ability to work with the standard programs contained in Microsoft Office at a capable level. Create a document and do basic formatting, insert page breaks, create headers or footers, and insert graphics, create automatically generated tables of contents and merge form letters from a database of addresses (usually in Excel). Create auto-calculating spreadsheets, create images, and sort and filter data tables.
  • Keep up-to-date with regulations: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and apply this knowledge in specific sectors.
  • Maintain chromotography machinery: Maintain the machinery used in chromatographic methodologies by executing small repairs and escalating the problems that are related to the machinery manufacturer.
  • Communicate in English in a competent way: Competent use of English; R351refers to level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

ISCO group and title

3111 – Chemical and physical science technicians


References
  1. Chromatographer – ESCO
  2. What is a Chromatographer? – Learn.org
  3. Featured image: Photo by Yuri Shkoda from Pexels
Last updated on February 12, 2023