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- Version:
- OaSIS 2022 Version 1.0
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Overview
Example job titles
- Agricultural chemist
- Analytical chemist
- Bioanalytical chemist
- Biochemist
- Chemist
- Clinical chemist
- Coatings chemist
- Electrochemist
- Environmental chemist
- Food chemist
- Inorganic chemist
- Medicinal chemist
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopist
- Oceanographic chemist
- Organic chemist
- Organic mass spectrometrist
- Organometallic chemist
- Pharmacological chemist
- Physical chemist
- Polymer chemist
- Quality control chemist
- Research chemist
- Soil chemist
- Textile chemist
- Theoretical chemist
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Analyze, synthesize, purify, modify and characterize chemical or biochemical compounds
- Develop and conduct programs of analysis to ensure quality control of raw materials, chemical intermediates or final products
- Conduct programs of sample and data collection and analysis to identify and quantify environmental toxicants
- Conduct research to develop new chemical formulations and processes and devise new technical applications of industrial chemicals and compounds
- Conduct research to discover, develop, refine and evaluate new products such as those used in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics and other applications of chemistry
- Conduct fundamental and applied research into the synthesis and properties of chemical compounds and the mechanisms of chemical reactions
- Investigate chemical aspects of the mechanisms of drug action, the diagnosis and treatment of disease, organ function and the assessment of health
- Participate in interdisciplinary research and development projects working with chemical engineers, biologists, microbiologists, agronomists, geologists or other professionals
- Act as technical consultant in a particular field of expertise
- May participate in the commercialization of new products
- May supervise other chemists and chemical technicians and technologists.
Additional information
- Mobility between occupations in this group is possible with experience.
- Mobility is possible with experience, to occupations concerned with plant management, technical sales and the development and management of regulatory programs and teaching professions.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
Exclusions:
- Architecture and science managers (20011)
- Biologists and related scientists (21110)
- Chemical engineers (21320)
- Geoscientists and oceanographers (21102)
- Other professional occupations in physical sciences (21109)
- Geochemist (in 21102.01 Geoscientists)
- Materials scientist (in 21109.02 Materials scientists)
- Metallurgist (in 21109.01 Metallurgists)
- Molecular biologist (in 21110.02 Microbiologists and cell and molecular biologists)
NOC hierarchy breakdown
NOC version
NOC 2021 Version 1.0Broad occupational category
2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupationsTEER
1 – Occupations usually require a university degreeMajor group
21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciencesSub-major group
211 – Professional occupations in natural sciencesMinor group
2110 – Physical science professionalsUnit group
21101 – ChemistsOccupational profile
21101.00 – ChemistsWork characteristics
This section outlines the key elements of each occupation’s work environment, including the type of work done, its location, and the setting. There are three categories included in this section:
- Work Activities: describes common tasks undertaken by occupations, grouped into physical, mental, people-oriented, or information gathering activities
- Work Context: highlights key descriptors of the occupation’s setting, such as the physical work environment, physical demands, and the types of interactions with others
- Workplaces/employers: lists common industries or types of companies where the occupation is typically found
The most important descriptors are displayed, in descending order based first on complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context) and then alphabetically. Expand the list to present the full list of descriptors and their ratings by selecting “see more”.
Work Activities
General types of work-related activities.
Workplaces/employers
- Chemical industries
- Development laboratories
- Educational establishments
- Government establishments
- Health care establishments
- Manufacturing companies
- Metal industries
- Mineral industries
- Petrochemical companies
- Pulp and paper companies
Work Context
Structural Job Characteristics
Physical Work Environment
Physical Demands
Interpersonal Relations
Skills and abilities
This section outlines the competencies required for an occupation in the categories of:
- Abilities: innate or developed aptitudes that enable a person to be able to perform expected tasks in this occupation, grouped into cognitive, psychomotor, sensory, and physical abilities
- Skills: developed capabilities that an individual must have to be effective in this occupation, grouped into foundational, analytical, technical, resource management, or interpersonal skills
- Personal Attributes: personal characteristics that are innate or developed through social context and personal experiences
Each category displays up to five descriptors, in descending order based first on proficiency level (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and then alphabetically. Expand the list to present the full list of descriptors and their ratings by selecting “see more”.
Abilities
Innate and developed aptitudes that facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills to carry out expected work.
Skills
Developed capabilities that an individual must have to be effective in a job, role, function, task or duty.
Personal Attributes
Personal characteristics that are innate and developed through the social context and personal experiences to which the individual is exposed. These qualities influence the way one is and does things and are considered to be valuable assets for work performance.
Employment requirements
Employment requirements include the education, training, certifications, and knowledge needed for each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to five descriptors, in descending order based first on the knowledge level and then alphabetically. Expand the list to present the full list of descriptors and their ratings by selecting “see more”.
Education, certification and licensing
- A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline is required.
- A master's or doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research chemist.
- Licensing by a provincial association of chemists is required in Quebec and available but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Skills for Success
The Skills for Success (SFS) is a model that outlines the fundamental and transferable skills needed to learn, work, and fully participate in daily life. It includes skills descriptions and proficiency levels for nine key skills: adaptability, collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation, digital, numeracy, problem solving, reading and writing.
This section is intended to help users navigate between the SFS model and the occupational competency requirements in the OaSIS.
For each occupational profile, the nine SFS are aligned with corresponding competencies in the OaSIS. The OaSIS provides valuable insights into the level of proficiency or importance required for over 240 competencies across 900 occupations.
To find out how the OaSIS ratings were developed, please consult the methodology here: Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS) methodology - Canada.ca
For questions or comments, feel free to contact us.
Interests
The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people perform best in work environments that match their preferences, meaning individuals and occupations can be matched for an optimal fit. In this model, occupational environments are categorized based on a combination of primary interests and related activities. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Each occupation in the OaSIS is assigned up to three of these interest types.
Interests
Preferences for work environments and outcomes.
Interests profile: IRC
Investigative (I)
Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and symbolic, systematic, and creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts, and figuring out problems mentally. They encourage scientific competencies and achievements. Workers in those occupations are erudite, have mathematical and scientific abilities, and see the world in complex, abstract, independent, and original terms. They are rewarded in their work environment for the display of scientific values.
Realistic (R)
Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered, or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines, and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. They foster technical competencies and achievements. Workers in these occupations have mechanical abilities, and see the world in simple, tangible, and traditional terms. They are rewarded in their work environment with the display of conventional values and goods: money, power, and possessions.
Conventional (C)
Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered, and systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing machines. They often require following a clear line of authority or set procedures and routines, and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas. They foster clerical competencies and achievements. Workers in those occupations are conforming, orderly, and methodical. They see the world in conventional, stereotypical, constricted, simple, and dependent terms. They are rewarded in their work environment for the display of conventional values: money, dependability, conformity.
This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.