Cheminformatician - Career Profile |
Career OverviewThe role of the cheminformatician is to manage the technical data specific to the chemical sciences and research projects. The cheminformatician is often consulted prior to developing experimental designs and is required to develop computer generated models and predictions about various combinations and interactions of factors and variables throughout the research projects.
The cheminformatician needs to be very focused on details, have an ability to see both the minute issues as well as the big picture, plus have an extensive chemistry background and know basic laboratory procedures and protocols.
The cheminformatician usually works in an office setting and uses data collected in various databases or through the research teams to generate and construct the computer generated models and compilations of data for the researchers.
The cheminformatician is also responsible for keeping abreast of new developments within the field, completing relevant research and sharing this information with the researchers and other members of the project staff and facility. A cheminformatician needs to have excellent understanding of written material, the ability to communicate clearly and precisely with others, as well as a strong sense of working as part of a research team.
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Career RequirementsFor routine or basic jobs as a cheminformatician including data entry or indexing the minimum requirement is a Bachelors level degree in science. More advanced data processing and information interpretation and sharing will require a Masters or PhD degree in one of the science fields.
Those cheminformaticians that choose to go on to work in medical or research libraries may also require a Masters in Library Science. For those cheminformaticians that work directly with industry processes a more scientific background with some laboratory or production experience is often more in demand.
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Job OutlookThe need for qualified and experienced cheminformatician continues to increase in all sectors of the industry. One of the major reasons this increase is noted is due to the rapid advancement of technology within the biotechnology field. Researchers are unable to keep on top of all the latest developments and trends and they rely on cheminformaticians to report any relevant progress or studies that may be of importance to their current research.
In addition the use of computer models and data analysis continues to increase to keep costs as low as possible for research and production. While a cheminformatician is a specialized job with the industry there is a steady demand and above average employement opportunities for qualified cheminformaticians.
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Career TrackMaster or PhD level cheminformaticians have the option to move in several different directions throughout their career. With additional training they can become managers and directors of the vast documentation or library systems within research facilities, become a manager in a production facility, work on developing software or data analysis programs, or even become a management consultant or technical publisher or writer.
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CompensationA cheminformatician with a Masters of PhD education can anticipate earning between $62,000 and $75,000 per year with less than five years experience. Those with more experience or more management responsibilities often earn $90,000 per year with a Masters or PhD education and specialized training in the research area.
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