Career prospects (laboratory assistants, CTA)

Career prospects in chemistry

Information and testimonials from beginners and professionals

This brochure is aimed at chemical laboratory technicians, chemical production technicians and chemical-technical assistants.

While the brochures "Career Profiles in Chemistry" (2012) and "Career Entry in Chemistry" (2014) are aimed at young chemists, this brochure is designed for graduates of school-based or vocational training in chemistry. It is intended for both trainees and chemistry students who are about to enter the workforce, as well as those who have already completed their training and are looking for a job.

“They all contribute to solving the tasks that society sets for us,” writes Prof. Dr. Herwig Buchholz, former Vice President of the GDCh, in the foreword, and this is also demonstrated by the contributions in this brochure. Eleven chemical laboratory assistants, chemical production technicians, and chemical technical assistants from various fields describe their respective training and career paths. They demonstrate the diversity of activities that graduates of chemical apprenticeships can pursue in various industries.

In addition to testimonials, the brochure contains a comprehensive information section compiled by the GDCh Career Service and Job Market department. This section provides an overview of continuing education and training opportunities, as well as dual study programs. Information on applications and the use of social networks helps with successful job applications. Relevant information on salaries in the chemical industry and other sectors completes this section.

The brochure is distributed free of charge to chemistry and vocational schools, as well as at events for laboratory technicians, chemical production technicians, and chemical technical assistants. Schools or organizations wishing to distribute the brochure to young trainees or chemistry students can order printed copies from the GDCh Career Service. Please send us an email indicating the desired quantity to karriere@gdch.de.

The brochure is not available in print. However, it can be downloaded free of charge. The complete document in PDF format (2.8 MB) can be obtained by clicking on the cover image or here.

Individual chapters for download

Chemical-technical: r Assistant: in

Chemical laboratory technician: in or paint laboratory technician: in

Chemical technician: in
Customer service is very important
Stephanie Korff, Endress + Hauser Conducta

From paint laboratory assistant to trainer
Annika Gerbener, BYK Additives & Instruments

Workplace drug production: insulin for diabetics
Lutz Tanneberger, Sanofi
As a CTA to the company founder
Kai F. Höttges
Make great things happen
Markus Jung, Merck KGaA *
As a chemical technician and chemical laboratory assistant at BASF
Edmond Müller & Larissa Hoffmann, BASF
Of mussels, oysters and bacteria: analytics on the coast
Annette Krauss, VOCO
In the service of health and quality of life
Jasmin Kolb, AbbVie
As a CTA in research
Daniel Zimmermann, Schill + Seilacher Group
Analytics challenges
Sabrina Hartig, Eurofins
Review article
Total review articles

*dual study

JCF podcast "Alles Chlor!" on the topic of vocational training

Episode 21

Job profiles in chemistry

Brochure for chemists: inside

to the Vocational Education

The working group represents members of non-academic chemistry professions more

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last modified: 26.11.2025 10:18 H from A.Miller