Chemistry Occupations and Chemical

Scientists
Question 1: Practicing scientists can be employed in many different
areas. Make a list of ten different chemical occupations. (5 marks)
(From Royal Australian Chemical Institute)
1. Analytical chemist
2. Forensic scientist
3. Chemical development engineer
4. Toxicologist
5. Process engineer
6. Environmental chemist
7. Metallurgical chemist
8. Industrial chemist
9. Biochemist
10.Polymer chemist
Question 2: Select one of the chemical occupations you have listed in
question 1.
Outline the role of the chemist employed in a named industry or
enterprise, identifying the branch of chemistry undertaken by the
chemist and explain a chemical principle that the chemist uses.
List other scientists your chosen chemist might collaborate with when
they are collecting and analysing data. (8 marks)
Industrial Chemists
Their role in a named industry/enterprise:
-

Industrial chemists may be employed by the power supply industry (e.g.

coal fired power stations)
Industrial chemists study the structure and chemical reactions of materials
used in chemistry.
They are involved in petrochemicals, detergents, plastics and
semiconductors.

Branch of chemistry:
-

Branches of chemistry that they may undertake include organic, inorganic

and analytical. These are usually done in teams.

Chemical principle/s used:

-

Industrial chemists are involved in a range of chemical processes,

including: reaction speeds, catalysts and equilibriums. They are also
involved in monitoring and quality control so as to ensure maximum
efficiency.

Other scientists they collaborate with when collecting and analysing data:
-

Analytical scientists to analyse and monitor the process of how power is

supplied to ensure quality control. An example may be using analytical

processes, such as gravimetric analysis to analyse the chemical reactions

and materials used by Industrial chemists.
Environmental chemist to analyse the impact of the industry of the
plant to the surrounding environment. An example would be to analyse
and work with industrial chemists to improve the quality of the air
surrounding the environment where the process takes place.
Research chemist Find new innovations to improve and/or replace the
chemical processes used in the industrial chemists industry. A research
chemist may, for example, find ways to improve the efficiency of coal-fired
electricity generation by improving the thermal efficiency where steam
engines and gas turbines that is currently used in the generation process
to convert the heat released from burning coal into power or work. A 1%
increase in thermal efficiency results in 2-3% decrease in carbon
emissions.
Other industrial chemists as multiple chemists may find the best
possible solution, as opposed to just one chemist.

Identify one practising male and female Australian chemical scientist;

describe the areas in which they are currently working and explain
what they are researching.
Female Scientist: Deanna D'Alessandro
-

Deanna DAlessandro is a molecular chemist, who works in a lab, attends

meetings and seminars, and writes original research publications for
science journals.
She is currently researching ways to mimic natural systems (E.g.
photosynthesis) to provide a viable source of renewable energy that will
power the world.
o She, as part of a team, is working with compounds called
porphyrins, which collect large amounts of light energy, and
incorporate this energy into new types of solar cells.

Male Scientist: R. G. Gilbert

-

Robert G. Gilbert is a research professor at the University of Queensland,

where he researches starch and glycogen structure and nutrition,
particularly diabetes and obesity.
Gilbert and his team are currently researching and developing new
experimental and theoretical methods for the characterization of starch,
glycogen and other branched polymers, as a means of understanding
starch and glycogen biosynthesis-structure-property relations in regard to
human health.

Bibliography:
-

Fowler, Rick. "Coal Combustion and Electricity Generation Efficiency." Coal

Combustion and Electricity Generation Efficiency. Coal Innovation NSW,
n.d. Web. 12 May 2016.
<http://www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/energy-consumers/energysources/coal-innovation-nsw/research-projects/coal-combustion-andelectricity-generation-efficiency>.

UniMelb Faculty of Science. "Industrial Chemist." Industrial Chemist:

Science Student Centre. University of Melbourne: Faculty of Science, JuneJuly 2014. Web. 10 May 2016.
<http://studentcentre.unimelb.edu.au/eastern/careers_in_scienceold/major_1-old/industrial_chemist>.
Royal Australian Chemical Institute. "Industrial Chemist." Youth Central.
Youth Central, 10 May 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.
<http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/career-profiles/industrialchemist>.
R.G. Gilbert:
o CNAFS. "Professor Robert G. Gilbert." Professor Robert G. Gilbert.
The University of Queensland Australia, n.d. Web. 10 May 2016.
<http://www.uq.edu.au/gilbertgroup/>.
Deanna D'Alessandro:
o ABC. "Molecular Chemist - Profiles - Cool Jobs - Ace Day Jobs."
Molecular Chemist - Profiles - Cool Jobs - Ace Day Jobs. ABC, 2014.
Web. 11 May 2016.
<http://www.abc.net.au/acedayjobs/cooljobs/profiles/s2102676.htm
>.