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Chemist

Engineering

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
  2. 2Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
  3. 3Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
  4. 4Conduct quality control tests.
  5. 5Write technical papers or reports or prepare standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, or tests.
  6. 6Prepare test solutions, compounds, or reagents for laboratory personnel to conduct tests.
  7. 7Maintain laboratory instruments to ensure proper working order and troubleshoot malfunctions when needed.
  8. 8Compile and analyze test information to determine process or equipment operating efficiency or to diagnose malfunctions.
  9. 9Confer with scientists or engineers to conduct analyses of research projects, interpret test results, or develop nonstandard tests.
  10. 10Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards or to make improvements as needed.
  11. 11Direct, coordinate, or advise personnel in test procedures for analyzing components or physical properties of materials.
  12. 12Purchase laboratory supplies, such as chemicals, when supplies are low or near their expiration date.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Chemist
  • Chemists
  • Scientist
  • Oil Expert
  • QC Chemist
  • Lab Chemist
  • Mix Chemist
  • Astrochemist
  • Coal Chemist
  • Food Chemist

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. Typical entry

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

ChemistryDraws directly on Chemistry — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Design & Technology (RBT)Draws directly on Production and Processing — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Chemistry98%

    Chemistry

  • English Language80%

    English

  • Mathematics76%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Production and Processing69%

    Design & Technology (RBT)Mechanical Engineering Studies

  • Computers and Electronics68%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Administration and Management68%

    BusinessEconomics

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicA little
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentOften

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

28%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

On Malaysia's official shortage list

TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List — evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.

Chemists · Shortage indicators met: INSUFFICIENT DATA

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Chemists

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue