David Murray is a development chemist working in the health care and cosmetics industry.

I work for the research and development department, mainly on product development. We mostly manufacture creams and lotions (emulsions) but also make tablets, powders, liquids and other formulations.

What are some of the chemical principles that you use within your work?

Some of our products are classed as pharmaceutical products, which are very strictly regulated. These regulations are often based upon principles derived from analytical or to a lesser extent physical chemistry. Whenever me manufacture anything whether it is in the laboratory or on a larger scale we have to be mindful of many factors such as the pH, viscosity, solubility of raw materials, compatibility of raw materials, temperature and the density of the batch. So even knowledge learnt from high school can be useful.

I was interested in chemistry since school but was largely unaware of what opportunities were available in the industry until after I had graduated from University about five years ago.

My first job after I graduated from University was as an analyst. Whilst I was there I learnt about the industry and decided I wanted to switch to product development, which I did after 12 months becoming an assistant to a senior development chemist. I worked in that role for 3 years before being promoted to development chemist which allowed me to manage my own projects.

For my current job, ideally a bachelor of science with a major in chemistry and 3 or more years of experience in a relevant industry. Postgraduate qualifications are not essential but are well regarded.

Three years doing a bachelor of science, 1 year doing an honours project, 1 year as an analyst and then 3 years as a formulation chemist which makes 8 years in total since leaving school.

I think my career has progressed steadily but not rapidly.

What are the tasks that you do in a typical day?

Design products in the laboratory (e.g. tablets, creams etc) and present them to clients; Take products made in the laboratory and supervise the manufacture at the production scale. In larger companies this if often a separate and therefore more specialised job; and Set specifications for products and ensure we meet all the regulatory guidelines provided by the government. I am assisted in this by people who specialise in understanding and applying the regulations.

Mainly problem solving skills, it also helps to be able to effectively communicate technical information to people who may not have a technical background.

Designing formulations or modifying ones that are flawed in some way.

What has been a highlight of your career?

Probably my recent promotion is what I'm most proud of. Probably my recent promotion is what I'm most proud of.

The tedious parts of the job, writing reports for instance.

I have work experience in analytical chemistry and I am currently doing a masters degree in chemical analysis and laboratory management. So I could switch back to the analytical chemistry side of the industry, perhaps even a management position, but I am not particularly interested in that at the moment.

Interesting job, respectable salary, nice friendly people throughout the industry that keep in close contact with one another.

It is somewhat of a niche field so there aren't as many opportunities as there might otherwise be.

This is a difficult question to answer as when you look at the big picture of any product it is astounding how many people are involved in turning an idea into a finished product. I guess where my work benefits society is that I play my part in turning an idea or scientific principle into a tangible reality.

I will probably be in a managerial role. Hopefully one that is still close to where the action is (the laboratory).

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