Prospects

Professional profiles

professional profile

Researchand development CHEMIST, specialising in the fields of photochemistry and offunctional and structural materials.

Rolein a work context:

Therole of a research and development chemist consists in dealing with innovativeaspects involving, on the one hand, the synthesis, characterisation andmodelling of systems and materials with desired properties and, on the otherhand, the modification of existing systems and materials with a view toimproving their applications.

Naturally,research activities can be carried out at the university or in public orprivate research centres. For this purpose, a PhD is essential.

Aresearch and development chemist prepares and characterises chemical systems,including complex ones, conducts analytical and structural analyses, and canalso perform the following functions and tasks:

-Designing and synthesising new molecules and supramolecular systems withmodular properties for optical, redox or chemical stimuli

-Designing, synthesising and classifying new materials capable of performingtargeted and valuable tasks

-Using green chemistry techniques with low environmental impact

-Designing and manufacturing new materials, both functional and structural, withpredetermined properties, including through the use of modelling techniquesthat predict material performance

-Working on materials that are already used in industrial production andresearch in order to improve their properties and expand their field of use

-Classifying the physical, chemical-physical and mechanical properties ofdifferent classes of materials

-Using sophisticated tools for the classification of molecules and materials(equipment for laser flash photolysis, X-ray diffraction, electrochemicalinvestigation and microscopy)

-Managing quality and safety control in laboratories and work environments; forthese specific areas (quality and safety), additional skills need to beacquired through post-graduate training programmes

-Dealing with the synthesis, design and evaluation of the use of new materialsof interest for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, electronic, biotechnological,food, medical and energetic sectors.

Inboth public and private sectors, graduates may, throughout their professionalcareer, take on management and co-ordination roles.

Skills/expertiseassociated with the role:

Inorder to carry out the roles described above, specific knowledge, abilities andspecialised skills in the technical-scientific field are required. Greaterspecialisation may be necessary, as well as learning skills in one or moreprofessional sectors of specialisation.

Inparticular, the following skills and expertise will be required:

-Self-learning and continuous professional development

-Adequate transversal communication and relational skills

-Organisational, management and planning skills, in accordance with the assignedlevel of independence and responsibility, with the organisational and workingmethods adopted and with the main interlocutors (colleagues, otherprofessionals and public and/or private clients)

-Ability to ascertain and assess the current status of the projects and systemson which they must operate,

-Knowledge of the design and synthesis methods of materials capable ofperforming predetermined tasks

-Ability to assess the effects of material interactions with light

-Ability to choose the most effective techniques for the classification ofmaterials and of their physical, chemical-physical and mechanical properties

-Ability to select and apply modelling techniques that predict materialperformance

-Ability to identify aspects requiring attention with the aim of improvingproperties and expanding the field of use of materials that are already used inindustrial production and research

-Ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the two-year master's degree todevelop original ideas in a research and/or application context

CareerOpportunities:

-Universities and public and private research bodies (PhD programme,Professional Master's Programme, specialisation school)

-Basic Chemical Industries

-Polymer industries

-Pharmaceutical industries

-Biomedical industries

-Agrochemical industries

-Colourant and Pigment industries

-Packaging industries

-Food industries

-Biotechnological industries

-Textile industries

-Cosmetic industries

-Ceramic industries

-Electronics industries

-Scientific education/communication agencies

Analyticaland quality control CHEMIST, specialising in the fields of photochemistry andof functional and structural materials.

Rolein a work context:

Therole of an analytical and quality control chemist involves dealing with aspectsrelated to the analysis and control of raw materials and products in variousproduct sectors. Students will have opportunities to find a position in theindustrial field, but also in sectors such as customs laboratories, culturalheritage preservation, environmental and local protection agencies, and in theforensic field.

Ananalysis and control chemist can hold the following roles:

-Quality control laboratory technician in charge of incoming or outgoingproducts (end products);

-Production technician, especially in sectors where ongoing product assessmentis planned (e.g. pharmaceutical sector, pigments sector, etc.)

-Laboratory and occupational safety technician;

-Instrumental lab technician, in both routine and sophisticated laboratories,involved in the classification of new materials and the recognition of knownmolecules or solids

-Scientific instrumentation and chemicals sales representative

Skills/expertiseassociated with the role:

Inorder to carry out the roles described above, specific knowledge, abilities andspecialised skills in the technical-scientific field are required. Greaterspecialisation may be necessary, as well as learning skills in one or moreprofessional sectors of specialisation

Ananalysis and control chemist has the following skills and expertise:

-Extensive and varied knowledge in the field of analytical and instrumentalchemistry

-Familiarity with the classification techniques for molecular and polymericsystems, both routine and innovative, which can be used in the industrialfield, in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical/food sectors, and in theelectronics industry

-Computational and computer skills

-Familiarity with the safety and hazard regulations for chemical compounds

-The ability to update their professional skills, organise their time and knowinghow to work towards meeting goals

-Capable of building relationships at work and interacting with experts fromother sectors

-Capable of adapting to new work situations and to changes in the areas in whichthey are involved

CareerOpportunities:

-Regional control agencies, national health institutes, civil defence, forensics,customs offices etc.

-Service companies (consulting, restoration, forensic chemistry)

-Outsourcing laboratories for companies (in the pharmaceutical, pigments,agrochemical fields etc.)

-Chemical companies in general

CHEMISTin a managerial role (also in a freelance capacity), specialising in the fieldsof photochemistry and of functional and structural materials.

Rolein a work context:

Towork freelance in this field in Italy, students must pass the state exam andregister with the Ordine dei Chimici (board of chemists). The activityand roles of members of section A of this association are set out in currentlegislation.

Therole of chemist in a managerial role involves managing or coordinating aspectsrelating to overall quality, patents, safety and environmental protection, andprevention within the company. In these sectors, these professionals can alsowork as freelancers.

Achemist in a managerial role, including in a freelance capacity, can performthe following roles:

-Forensic investigation expert

-Business consultant in the fields of environmental safety and protection andhygiene in the workplace

-Consultant in the field of intellectual property

-Scientific education/communication specialist

Theymay also set up or participate in academic spin-offs, and contribute to theirestablishment as independent individuals.

Forall the above-mentioned roles, it is advisable to acquire additional skills,either at university level (e.g. Master's Degree) or in the working environmentthrough training and CPD courses.

Skills/expertiseassociated with the role:

Inorder to carry out the tasks described above, a chemist in a managerial role, includingin a freelance capacity, must:

-Have extensive and varied knowledge in the field of analytical and instrumentalchemistry

-Be familiar with the classification techniques for molecular and polymericsystems, both routine and innovative, which can be used, amongst others, in theindustrial field, in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical/food sectors, and inthe electronics industry

-Have computational and computer skills

-Be familiar with the safety and hazard regulations for chemical compounds

-Have the ability to update their professional skills, organise their time andknow how to work towards meeting goals

-Be capable of building relationships at work and interacting with experts fromother sectors

-Be capable of adapting to new work situations and to changes in the areas inwhich they are involved

-Have financial management skills

-Be capable of evaluating market surveys and of dealing with externalcompetitors.

Inorder to carry out the roles described above, specific knowledge, abilities andspecialised skills in the technical-scientific field are required. Greaterspecialisation may be necessary, as well as learning skills in one or moresectors of professional specialisation.

CareerOpportunities:

-Patent offices

-Consiglio Nazionale dei Chimici (Italian National Council of Chemists)

-Ordine dei Chimici (board of chemists)

-Consulting firms in the chemical field, particularly the patent sector

-Companies operating on behalf of third parties

- Academic spin-offs

Continuing to study

It gives access to third cycle studies (Dottorato di ricerca/Scuole di specializzazione) and master courses of second degree.