Careers in Chemistry
Where can a chemistry degree take you?
Short answer: just about anywhere.
From solving crimes in forensic labs to designing lifesaving medicines to creating cleaner energy, chemists are behind some of the most important breakthroughs of our time. And UB Chemistry grads are right in the middle of it—working in labs, hospitals, boardrooms and beyond.
Chemists don’t just wear lab coats and mix solutions (though we do that too). They apply science to solve real problems, across industries like:
🧪 Pharmaceuticals: Developing new drugs and treatments
🌿 Environmental Science: Protecting our air, soil and water
🚀 NASA + Aerospace: Designing materials for space missions
âš–️ Law and Policy: Advising on patents, sustainability and regulations
🔬 Research + Development: From food safety to electronics
🧬 Biotech + Medicine: Understanding and fighting disease at the molecular level
No matter where they work, chemists make things better. They improve health, protect the planet and help shape how we live.
There’s no single path—just lots of options. Here are a few directions UB chemists have taken:
- Research Chemist: Synthesizes and analyzes materials for everything from electronics to cosmetics.
- Process Chemist: Figures out how to safely scale up chemical production for industries around the world.
- Environmental Chemist: Studies pollution and creates solutions for cleaner air, soil and water.
- Organic Chemist: Works with carbon-based compounds to improve medicine, energy and materials.
- Biochemist: Explores how chemistry drives life processes—key to new health breakthroughs.
- Forensic Chemist: Partners with law enforcement to solve crimes through chemical analysis.
Our grads go far—and wide. You’ll find UB Chemistry alumni in roles across the country and the world, including:
- National labs like the EPA, NIH and NASA
- Major corporations in energy, pharma and advanced tech
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Environmental nonprofits and policy groups
- Law firms and public agencies
- Classrooms, research institutes and universities
Career Placement of UB Chemistry Graduates (2029–2024)
Wherever chemistry plays a role, UB grads are making it matter.
You don’t have to figure out your future alone. At UB, you’ll have access to people and tools that help you chart your own path—starting your first semester.
Located in 259 Capen Hall, the Career Design Center helps students from all majors explore career paths and build a plan that works.
Their services include:
- 1:1 career design consulting
- Job + internship search tools and support
- Resume, CV and cover letter reviews
- Interview prep and practice
- Career Design Studio
- Graduate school prep
- Networking events, skillshops and job + internship fairs throughout the year
- Real-world employment data to guide your decision-making
Whether you're just starting or ready to apply, they’ll help you take the next step.
Another career resource
American Chemical Society: Chemistry career insights