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Environmental Chemist

Environmental Chemists test the air, water, and soil to find out if they are clean or polluted. They work out what is causing damage and help companies and governments clean up pollution and prevent more from happening.

Environmental Chemist

22

Physical Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY22
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST67%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£28,000 - £35,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI exposure for this job is below 50 on our index, and the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

The role

As an Environmental Chemist, you find out if our air, water, and soil are healthy. You collect samples from rivers, factories, farms, or streets, bring them to a lab, and use machines to test them. You look for harmful chemicals or metals and measure how much of them is there. Then you write a report explaining what you found and what should happen next.

You work with other scientists - biologists and engineers - to solve pollution problems. Some days you are outdoors sampling, other days you are in the lab running tests or sitting at a desk analyzing the numbers. You help keep people and nature safe by spotting pollution early and showing what needs to change.

Daily responsibilities

  • Collect and analyze soil, water, and air samples to assess contamination levels.
  • Conduct laboratory experiments to develop new methods for pollution remediation.
  • Prepare detailed reports and presentations on findings for stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design environmental impact assessments.
  • Stay updated on environmental regulations and ensure compliance in all projects.
  • Engage with the public and local communities to raise awareness about environmental issues.
  • Utilize advanced analytical instruments such as mass spectrometers and chromatographs.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree in Environmental Chemistry or a related field equips candidates with a robust understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. UK universities are renowned for their cutting-edge research and strong industry connections, providing graduates with invaluable opportunities to network and gain hands-on experience in the field.