Navigate your options across R&D, QA/RA, sustainability, and commercial to build a future-proof career
Graduating with a chemistry degree is a huge achievement, but along with the relief of finishing your final exams often comes the familiar question: what happens next? The good news is, chemistry opens far more doors than you might expect. The most obvious image of a chemistry career is usually lab coats and test tubes, but the job market today offers a mix of technical, regulatory and commercial opportunities.
At Merritt Recruitment, we work with organisations across all these disciplines, helping chemistry graduates thrive in rewarding careers that match their interests and ambitions. With our expertise in this sector, we’ve put together this insight into the different career options you have with your chemistry degree.
Technical Careers
For many Chemistry graduates, the technical path might feel like the natural continuation of your studies. If you have a passion for hands-on problem-solving, experimentation and analysis, then a technical career may be perfect for you. You might find yourself developing new pharmaceuticals or testing innovative materials. If you are hoping to stay close to the science studied in your degree and solve real-world problems, a technical role would be perfect for you.
After you have a couple of years of experience behind you in research and development, you can transition into a more specialist role such as Organic Chemist or Materials Chemist and develop some deeper expertise in one area – whatever interests you. And the good news is that a specialisation will make you indispensable in niche industries. Many commercial roles also prefer candidates to have some technical experience, so there are always future opportunities to transition into a sales or business development role later in your career.
Job titles to search for: Formulation Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Production Chemist, Research and Development Chemist
Key Skills: Laboratory techniques, analytical instrumentation, data interpretation, scientific writing, problem-solving.
Regulatory Careers
If you’re detail-oriented and care about how science impacts society, then a regulatory role would be a perfect fit for you. These roles are all about ensuring that products and processes meet legal, ethical and safety requirements. For example, quality assurance specialists play a vital role in ensuring that every product meets the highest possible standards before it reaches the market, and iron out any issues in the process. Working in regulatory affairs, you would aid companies to understand the complex frameworks that govern the use of chemicals. These roles combine technical expertise with data analysis and clear communication and report writing skills.
Try searching for ‘assistant’ roles initially within regulatory affairs or quality control, and once you have some experience you can progress to specialist, manager and director level roles.
Job titles to search for: Quality Assurance Assistant, Quality Control Assistant, Regulatory Affairs Assistant
Key Skills: Attention to detail, understanding of legislation, risk assessment, technical communication, data integrity.
Commercial Careers
Not every chemistry graduate wants to stay in the lab, and the good news is there are also plenty of roles available in the commercial side of science. Commercial roles are ideal for those who enjoy variety, collaboration, and strategy. In technical sales or business development, your scientific background becomes a competitive advantage. You understand the technology behind the products you represent, which allows you to speak with confidence and build trust with clients who are often industry experts themselves. You might be advising customers on the best materials for a new application, helping position a sustainable technology in the market, or identifying emerging trends and strategising ways to win new business. These roles reward curiosity, communication, and adaptability – if you enjoy connecting your technical knowledge to real-world needs, the commercial path may be perfect for you.
Initially, try searching for sales executive roles or graduate-specific roles. Graduate roles are sometimes more broad, but over time you can decide which specific markets you are most interested in and position yourself as an expert in these markets to develop your career to Sales Manager, Market Manager and eventually European or Global roles. Something to consider with commercial roles is that there is more likely to be regular travel involved as part of the role so factor this in so it works with your work/life balance..
Job titles to search for: Technical Sales Executive, Business Development Executive, Marketing Manager, Internal Sales Support
Key Skills: Communication, negotiation, commercial awareness, presentation, scientific literacy.
Alternative Paths
Not every chemistry graduate stays within traditional science industries. Many find success in fields like:
Science Communication & Journalism
Education & Outreach
Data Science & Informatics
Consulting & Policy Advisory
Your analytical mindset and ability to interpret complex information are powerful tools in almost any sector, so the world is your oyster in terms of career choice.
Final Thoughts
Each of these career paths offers you something unique. Some chemists thrive on hands-on experimentation, others find purpose in protecting consumers and the environment, and many discover a passion for connecting science with business growth.
At Merritt Recruitment, we understand that the transition from university or research into industry can be daunting. So, whether you’re looking to start your first graduate position or take the next step into leadership, we can help you navigate opportunities across technical, regulatory, and commercial disciplines.