Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

The chemistry professor teaches and researches chemistry—educating students in organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry while producing scholarship that advances chemical knowledge and often develops new materials, methods, or compounds. A typical week during the academic term blends teaching with research and service. Perhaps 30% of time goes to teaching: preparing lectures, conducting labs, meeting with students. Another 45% involves research—supervising laboratory research, analyzing data, writing papers and grants. The remaining time splits between grading, committee work, advising, and professional activities.

People who thrive as chemistry professors combine deep chemical expertise with teaching ability and the skills to build and manage productive research laboratories. Successful professors develop research specializations while building the pedagogical skills that chemistry education demands, particularly for laboratory instruction. They must secure research funding and mentor graduate students through complex research projects. Those who struggle often cannot maintain research productivity while teaching demanding laboratory courses or find the funding environment exhausting. Others fail because they cannot manage research groups effectively.

Chemistry education provides the foundation for many science and health careers while advancing knowledge of molecular science with applications from materials to pharmaceuticals to energy. The field connects fundamental understanding with practical applications through research that often leads to new products and processes. Chemistry professors appear in discussions of STEM education, chemical research, and the academic institutions that train chemists.

Practitioners cite the elegance of chemical science and the satisfaction of developing new chemistry with practical applications as primary rewards. The research can lead to important new materials or methods. The laboratory culture is engaging. The students contribute to real research. The work bridges fundamental and applied science. The chemical community is intellectually vibrant. Common frustrations include the competitive funding environment and the hazards inherent in chemical research. Many find that laboratory safety is an ongoing concern. The extensive laboratory teaching is time-consuming. Keeping current with chemical literature is demanding. Industry offers higher compensation for chemical expertise.

This career requires a doctoral degree in chemistry plus postdoctoral training, with research productivity essential. Strong research, teaching, and laboratory management skills are required. The role suits those passionate about chemistry who can build research programs. It is poorly suited to those uncomfortable with laboratory hazards, preferring teaching over research, or seeking positions outside research-intensive settings. Compensation is moderate, with the academic job market competitive.