Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Chemistry Professor
What chemistry professors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a chemistry professor?
Teach organic chemistry. From there, the day usually includes teach chemistry lectures, design and supervise labs, and train students on instruments. Teaching, research and service with flexible hours; labs can run long.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a chemistry professor working full time.
- Teach organic chemistry.
- Check the teaching lab setup.
- Meet research students about a synthesis.
- Supervise a lab section.
- Review NMR data.
- Hold office hours.
- Write a grant section.
Where chemistry professors work
Chemistry faculty work in classrooms, teaching labs and research labs.
Hours and schedule
Teaching, research and service with flexible hours; labs can run long.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Teach chemistry lectures
- Design and supervise labs
- Train students on instruments
- Lead a research group
- Write grants
- Publish research
- Oversee lab safety
Tools you’ll use every day
- NMR and mass spectrometers
- Fume hoods
- Glassware
- Learning management systems
- Chemical inventory systems
- Molecular modeling software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Hands-on science teaching
- Research discoveries
- Flexible schedule
- Mentor future chemists
What’s hard
- Lab safety responsibility
- Grant pressure
- Competitive tenure track
- Grading lab reports
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love chemistry
- I like lab work
- I enjoy teaching
- I take safety seriously
- I want to do research
- I’m willing to earn a doctorate
Not sure? Take the free Chemistry Professor fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow the chemical hygiene plan
- Require PPE in labs
- Manage hazardous waste
- Train students before lab work