Chemistry--the central science--has never been more central. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are scrambling to find chemists to assist in drug discovery and development. Other chemical and life science companies are hiring chemists and chemical engineers to increase innovation and improve commercial processes. Faculty vacancies are continuing to open up across the nation. And the federal government needs hundreds of patent examiners with expertise in chemistry.

The job outlook for 2000 does appear to be bright, but sudden changes in the booming U.S. economy could alter hiring practices in a flash. Last year, for instance, the 1999 job market was projected to be as good as it was in 1998--which was the best on record for the 1990s--but C&EN warned that "it could also be dampened by an ailing global economy"--and indeed it was. With that caveat in mind, C&EN provides a series of stories designed to help the new graduate as well as the seasoned professional in the chemical sciences find a rewarding career.

Hiring in 1999 did not shape up as well as predicted, but the job market in 2000 may be one of the best in a decade. Competition is fierce for top candidates in pharmaceutical and biotech firms and at many universities. Small companies remain a good source of jobs for new graduates.

Chemists who are employed enjoyed healthy salary gains, but joblessness remains relatively high considering the booming U.S. economy.

Whether they produce polyethylene or penicillin, companies are facing greater competitive pressures. To help them cut through the bureaucracy and unleash synergies, more companies are forming multifunctional teams. Working on a team requires special skills--but fortunately, they can be learned.

Although finding jobs for two scientists in one location is sometimes discouraging, often frustrating, and always time-consuming, it can be done. Successful couples share their tips with C&EN readers.

People who excel at their work aren't necessarily happy in their jobs. But it's never too late to make a change in career to match one's true passion.

Time and the demands of a global marketplace have placed a premium on people who can achieve success in more than one cultural setting. Rewards from overseas assignments can come in many forms.

With so many resources available and the explosion of Internet sites, where should job seekers begin? C&EN provides a guide to some of the sources of job and career information best suited to chemical scientists seeking jobs or changing careers.

Chemical & Engineering News
Copyright © 1999 American Chemical Society