Atmospheric chemist
An atmospheric chemist is a scientist who studies the chemical composition and processes of the Earth's atmosphere, as well as the impacts of various pollutants on air quality and climate. Their work involves detecting and analyzing greenhouse gases, ozone levels, and other pollutants, as well as investigating phenomena like acid rain. Atmospheric chemists often collaborate with professionals from related fields such as ecology, geology, and oceanography to understand the interactions between the atmosphere and other environmental systems. A bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline is essential, with advanced positions typically requiring a master's or PhD.
These specialists can find employment in government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry, where they may also advise on policy and strategies to reduce pollution. The field is expected to grow, reflecting increasing awareness of climate change and air quality issues. Daily tasks may involve both laboratory experiments and fieldwork, often utilizing computer modeling to analyze atmospheric data. The role is interdisciplinary, requiring a solid foundation in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and environmental science, along with skills in data analysis and communication. As global concerns about climate change continue to rise, the expertise of atmospheric chemists will be crucial in developing solutions for environmental challenges.
Atmospheric chemist
Earnings (Yearly Median): $95,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)
Employment and Outlook: 4% (As fast as average) (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)
O*NET-SOC Code: 19-2021.00
Related Career Clusters: Government & Public Administration; Health Science; Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Scope of Work
The work of atmospheric chemists ranges from detecting ozone levels and greenhouse gases to monitoring air-pollution levels in cities. It also includes studying acid rain and determining the chemistry of the atmospheres of other planets in order to learn about the formation of the galaxy.
Atmospheric chemistry can intersect with many other disciplines. For instance, atmospheric chemists sometimes work with soil scientists, ecologists, geologists, oceanographers, or hydrologists to determine how the atmosphere interacts with these other planetary elements.
Outside of research, atmospheric chemists can work in a policy-oriented role, advising the government on strategies to reduce pollution. They can also advise industry to change production methods, as they did in the 1990s with the elimination of ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosols.
Education and Coursework
Work in atmospheric chemistry requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Research-oriented careers will require a master’s degree or PhD.
Atmospheric chemistry is an interdisciplinary field. With that in mind, it is important to build a strong and varied science foundation in high school. In addition to chemistry, physics, and advanced mathematics (including calculus), statistics and computer science will be invaluable for college-level studies. English and writing courses are also important because some applications of atmospheric chemistry include policy-making or publishing research papers. Extracurricular activities that involve laboratory or field work provide hands-on experience and make for a stronger college application. Internship opportunities exist for precollege students, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) student internship program. Such opportunities may also exist at nearby universities.
While some institutions offer undergraduate degrees in atmospheric science, it is more common to find programs in basic chemistry. A typical undergraduate course of study in chemistry includes introductory and advanced classes in inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Supplementary courses in physics, math, and computer science will provide a stronger foundation for continuing on with graduate work.
Graduate study in atmospheric chemistry generally requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. However, a degree in biochemistry, physics, mathematics, environmental science, meteorology, or a related field may be acceptable with applicable supporting coursework, depending on the program and specialization. Entry into a graduate program requires the GRE general test. Some programs also require the GRE chemistry subject test. Others will accept the subject test in biochemistry instead. It is a good idea to check admission requirements for potential graduate institutions in order to register for the appropriate GREs before applying. A strong graduate-school application will contain research experience in either the field or a laboratory. This can often be done as part of undergraduate thesis work, but it can also be from an internship or other work experience.
Fellowships for graduate study are available through specific institutions, as well as through science or other organizations such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , the military, the National Science Foundation, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In many cases, there are minority fellowships to encourage entry into scientific fields.
Career Enhancement and Training
No certification or licensing beyond a college or graduate degree is needed to become an atmospheric chemist. To become a more desirable job candidate, however, there are a number of useful strategies for networking, learning about new careers, or enhancing skills.
Research experience is one of the primary résumé boosters in this field. To that end, internships and research fellowships can be invaluable. For postgraduate students, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program or postdoctoral work at an academic institution can provide experience and the opportunity to explore a research topic in more depth.
Professional organizations, such as the American Chemical Society or the American Meteorological Society, can assist with job hunting or networking via local chapter meetings or annual membership conferences. Other organizations, such as the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project or NCAR, assist with coordinating research efforts. Many of these organizations or branches of government also provide information on applying for grants and other funding.
In addition to the PMF Program, the federal government offers the Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates program, which provides mentorship, career planning, training, and job placement in specific fields. Postdoctoral research opportunities may also be found with branches of the military.
Daily Tasks and Technology
Atmospheric chemists spend time both in the laboratory and in the field. Much of their work involves computer modeling and analysis. Daily tasks are dependent upon the type of research being performed. Atmospheric chemists may work in partnership with geologists, oceanographers, meteorologists, ecologists, and policy makers.
Fieldwork includes some tasks associated with meteorology. One such task entails setting up instruments designed to collect and measure wind, rain, and water, such as rain gauges, anemometers, and hygrometers, and then gathering the samples and data collected by these instruments. Field studies also include measuring trace gases and particulates in the atmosphere. This can mean something as remote as measuring ozone in Antarctica or as near as measuring air pollution in local cities. Data can be gathered from satellites or instruments that measure absorption spectra to detect various pollutants and particulates. These methods can also be applied to the study of atmospheres on other planets.
Laboratory work includes experiments to study chemical interactions and reactions in the atmosphere, such as aerosol formation. Special smog chambers or flow tubes are used to simulate the environments in which these reactions occur in nature.
Computer modeling and data analysis complement field and laboratory work. Information such as data from different locations or the dispersal of chemical tracers can be mapped and integrated with data from hydrologists and other scientists to examine larger systems. Remote-sensing data from satellites can also be added to enhance the overall data. Software used includes rendering programs, graphics programs, Advanced Visual Systems (AVS), and map-creation software.
Earnings and Employment Outlook
Atmospheric chemistry is a field that is expected to grow at a faster than average rate compared with other professions—about 4 percent per year from 2022 to 2032 for atmospheric scientists generally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—given increasing interest in climate and air-pollution issues. Candidates with advanced degrees are more likely to secure employment.
Atmospheric chemists are most commonly hired by government or academic institutions, but they can also be employed in industry. Both government agencies and academic institutions have been facing budget cuts, which result in greater competition for scarcer jobs; therefore, more opportunities may be available in the private sector.
Salaries, while dependent upon experience and level of education, are likely to be competitive. Salaries tend to be higher in government positions ($114,900 in 2024, according to the BLS) and in research and development (about $103,960), and lower at television broadcasting stations (about $68,040).
Government agencies such as NOAA and NASA employ atmospheric chemists to examine the causes and effects of various air pollutants. NASA, for instance, has employed atmospheric scientists to study the effects of supersonic transports and space shuttles on the atmosphere. Government funding supports research-and-development organizations such as NCAR. Branches of the military also employ atmospheric scientists in both civilian and active-duty capacities as part of the armed forces or the Department of Defense, due to the effects that climate and air can have upon sensitive technology and military operations. Many atmospheric chemists teach at universities while also conducting research in their area of expertise.
Related Occupations
• Materials Chemists:Materials chemists combine chemistry and physics to develop and test new compounds and materials, such as plastics, alloys, and drugs, or to investigate properties of existing materials.
• Hydrologists:Hydrologists monitor and protect water quality, track stream flow and water cycles, assist with planning dams or reservoirs, and develop flood-management strategies.
• Environmental Engineers:Environmental engineers work with the government and industry to design and maintain facilities in compliance with environmental regulations or to develop strategies to remediate toxic sites.
• Environmental Chemists:Environmental chemists also work with the government and industry to protect or restore the environment. In addition, they monitor air, soil, and water and assess hazards to human health.
• Geochemists:Geochemists document, analyze, and assess various environments in order to produce reports for general knowledge, such as geologic mapping; for environmental protection and preservation; or for natural-resource exploitation, such as drilling for oil and natural gas.
Future Applications
In the past, atmospheric chemists have had a major impact on science, policy, and industry, particularly with regard to discovering the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica and linking it to the use of chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol cans. As air pollution in cities and the anthropogenic effect on greenhouse gases increase, the work of atmospheric chemists will be important in monitoring air quality and greenhouse gases and coming up with scientific advances to mitigate the effects of human activity on the planet.
One expanding role of atmospheric chemists is to advise policy makers on legislation that will be effective in curbing emissions from automobiles, industry, and other sources. Nobel Prize–winning atmospheric chemist Mario Molina, for instance, has occupied both roles, citing the importance of communicating scientific knowledge and discoveries with both policy makers and the public.
Climate change, whether due to natural cycles or human activity, is another area of growing concern and one that will be the subject of increasingly greater future research. Atmospheric chemists will likely be in demand for studying past climates and for anticipating upcoming shifts in local and global climates. As a result, nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations may hire more atmospheric scientists and climatologists.
Historically, NASA has employed atmospheric scientists in various capacities. As technology enables greater space exploration, atmospheric chemists will have the opportunity to study the atmospheres of other planets.
Bibliography
"19-2021.00 – Atmospheric and Space Scientists." O*NET Online, 9 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2021.00. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists." Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/atmospheric-scientists-including-meteorologists.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.