These chemists usually work in an academic setting. In industry, chemists analyze materials to make new products. Some of these products may be drugs, paints, synthetic fibers, and foods. They find new processes that save energy and reduce pollution, such as improved oil refining. Chemists use computers to monitor research experiments, do math computations, and collect and store data.
Many chemists work in research and development.
In basic research, chemists investigate the properties, structures, and composition of matter. In applied research, they create new or improved existing products and processes. For example, applied research created the process to make synthetic rubber and plastics. Chemists also work in chemical manufacturing plants. They give instructions, keep watch over automated processes, and test samples.