4th Employment Survey for European Chemists (ESEC4)

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4th Employment Survey for European Chemists – ESEC4

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Step 1 of 21 – ESEC4 – 4th Employment Survey for European Chemists

Introduction

Welcome to the 4th Employment Survey for European Chemists of the European Chemical Society (EuChemS). Completion of the survey should take 15 to 20 minutes.

Understanding job market needs, the challenges and opportunities facing chemists and what drives people to study and work in their respective fields will prove invaluable to better comprehending the current landscape.

Your participation in this Europe-wide survey will help build a broad yet precise picture of the employment and salary situation of chemists and possibly reveal other cross-cutting issues. Participation in this survey is open for all chemists and chemical engineers.

All your responses are collected anonymously. For more information about the EuChemS privacy policy, please read more here https://www.euchems.eu/about-us/privacy-statement/. No changes are possible after you press the submission button.

Please note: Chemists work in many scientific and industrial areas. This broad spectrum cannot be covered in every detail. If your work area is not represented in the menus, please choose the entry which comes closest to your area.

Some respondents may have two job contracts in parallel, some work and study in parallel or work during the semester break. In such or other overlapping situations, please chose your main activity for your response. In order to avoid incompatibility between various national terms (programmes, certificates, degrees), we use international classifications (UNESCO, EU). Drop-down lists show EuChemS related items on top, followed by all others (e.g., countries or currencies) in alphabetical order.

Your Primary Status

What was your primary status as of April, 1, 2025?*

Choose the one category that best fits your situation

Permanent Job

Temporary Job

Post-secondary studies (begins at the end of full-time compulsory education, includes general and vocational training)

Short-cycle tertiary studies (link between vocational education and tertiary education at colleges, universities and polytechnics, e.g. to fulfil criteria for university entry)

Bachelor or equivalent undergraduate studies

Master or equivalent graduate studies (incl. engineers)

Doctoral or equivalent studies

Habilitation studies (Dr. habil., Dr. sc., or equivalent)

Postdoctorate or research fellowship position

Career break (e.g., caring for family, health, travelling, education or training)

Unemployed

Semi-retired (retired but in part-time or occasional employment)

Fully retired

Have you completed a postdoctorate or research fellowship position in the past?*

Select one.

Yes

I am currently working / studying / in retirement in the country:*

Select one.

Are you currently working or studying in your native country? If you are retired, do you live in your native country?

Select one.

Yes

My native country is:

Select one.

Education

What is the highest degree you have received to date?*

Select one.

Post-secondary level (begins at the end of full-time compulsory education), (General and vocational; lab assistant, technician)

Short-cycle tertiary level (link between vocational education and tertiary education at colleges, universities and polytechnics)

Bachelor’s or equivalent

Master’s or equivalent (incl. engineers)

Doctorate or equivalent

Habilitation (Dr. habil., Dr. sc., or similar)

No degree obtained yet

Other, please specify:

Please specify:*

In which year did you receive this qualification?*

Select one.

Please enter a number from 1950 to 2025.

Country, where my highest post-secondary education was acquired?*

Select one.

Please indicate the one field of the highest degree you have earned*

Select one.

Agricultural/Food Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry

Biochemistry

Biochemical engineering

Biology

Biotechnology

Business administration

Catalysis

Chemical Education

Chemical engineering

Clinical Chemistry

Computational Chemistry

Computer science

Environmental Chemistry

General Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Law

Materials Engineering

Computer science

Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Nanochemistry

Nuclear Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry

Process Control and Optimisation

Other chemical science, please specify:

Other non-chemistry subject

Please, specify:*

Have you spent time abroad during your post-secondary education?*

Select one.

Yes

How many months have you spent abroad during your post-secondary education?

Please enter a number from 1 to 36.

Your first job

Did you find your first job immediately after you acquired your highest degree as selected under Education?*

Select one.

Yes

How much time, in months, did you need to find your first job after you acquired your highest degree as selected under Education?

Please enter a number from 1 to 36.

What kind of a contract did you have for this first job?

Select one. Graduate appointments are considered temporary.

Permanent

Temporary

Agency temporary worker

Fixed-term contract

Your Current Employment Status

Please indicate your primary employment status as of April 1, 2025.*

Choose the one category that best fits your situation. Graduate appointments are considered temporary.

Employed full-time (35 hours or more per week)

Employed part-time

Two or more part-time jobs

Postdoctoral or other fellowship

Fixed-term contract

Agency temporary worker

1 or more occasional jobs (i.e., you do not work regularly every week)

Self-employed

Not employed but actively seeking employment within the last four weeks

Not employed and not seeking employment within the last four months

Semi-retired

Fully retired

Are you working part-time because a suitable full-time work week job was not available?*

Select one.

Yes

When is your temporary job scheduled to end?

In months.

Please enter a number from 1 to 36.

Please give the approximate percentage compared to full time.*

Select one.

Did you have interruptions of employment or part-time phases since your primary employment?*

Select one.

Yes

For how many months did it happen?

Please enter a number from 1 to 36.

For which reason did it happen?*

Select all that apply.

Parental Leave

Nursing a close relative

Sabbatical

Unemployment

Part-time employment

Other, please specify

Please specify:*

Please indicate below the one specialty most related to your current or more recent job:*

Select one.

Agricultural/Food Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry

Biochemistry

Biochemical engineering

Biology

Biotechnology

Catalysis

Chemical Education

Chemical engineering

Clinical Chemistry

Computational Chemistry

Computer science

Environmental Chemistry

General Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Law

Materials Science

Materials Engineering

Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Nanochemistry

Nuclear Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry

Process Control and Optimisation

Other chemical science, please specify:

Other non-chemistry, please specify:

Please, specify:*

How long have you worked for your current employer?

In years.

Please enter a number from 0 to 99.

Has your job role changed within the last 12 months?*

Select one.

Yes

Which statement best reflects the decisions and recommendations you make in your current job role?*

I follow direction with little opportunity to make decisions and recommendations.

I follow direction with some opportunity to make decisions and recommendations.

I provide direction to others and am able to make project-level decisions.

I have full responsibility for project and/or technical deliverables, including all decisions and recommendations.

I have executive authority to make decisions and recommendations that have broad implications.

Over the past three years, have you accepted a position or compensation package that offered less than your previous position in order to maintain employment?

Yes

Not sure

Does not apply

If you were not employed but actively seeking employment on April 1, 2025, how long had you been unemployed?

In months.

Please enter a number from 0 to 99.

Regardless of your current status, was there any period when you were not employed but actively seeking employment in calendar year 2024?

Select one.

Yes

How many total months were you not employed but actively seeking employment in calendar year 2024?

Please enter a number from 0 to 99.

Which job search methods did you use for your most recent position?*

Please select all that apply.

Faculty advisor(s)

Informal channel, e.g. colleague or friend

Newspaper advertisement

Newsletter/magazine/journal

Placement service (e.g., campus, conference, job fair)

Employment Agency

Met employer through former job or position

Sent unsolicited vita or resume

Received unsolicited offer

Electronic job boards (e.g., Monster, Indeed, C&EN Jobs from ACS)

Online professional or social networks (e.g., LinkedIn, the ACS Network)

I founded or started a company

Other, specify

Please, specify:*

Which was the one most effective job search method?*

Select one.

Faculty advisor(s)

Informal channel, e.g. colleague or friend

Newspaper advertisement

Newsletter/magazine/journal

Placement service (e.g., campus, conference, job fair)

Employment agency

Met employer through former job or position

Sent unsolicited vita or resume

Received unsolicited offer

Electronic resource (e.g., online job boards, online professional or social networks, C&EN Jobs from ACS)

Employer’s website

Other

Are you currently actively looking for another position?

Yes

How many years of professional experience do you have in your field?

Please include experience working full-time or part-time in your field, but do not include time spent as a full-time student.

Please enter a number from 0 to 99.

Are you pursuing continuing education (life-long learning, advanced studies) to achieve a higher scientific/technical qualification that started in the fall of 2023 or more recently?*

Yes, full-time

Yes, part-time

To what extent do you agree, or disagree, with the following statements about your current job? (If in part-time work, please answer this question based on the part-time job which generates the most income for you.)

My job offers a good work-life balance*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

This is a description

My work is challenging / stimulating*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

My job makes full use of my skills*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

My job gives me access to learning and development opportunities that will help me progress / develop in my career*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

My job enables me to help make a positive impact on society*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

My job provides a level of income that I’m happy with*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Training Information/ Advanced Studies

What is the field for the advanced studies that you are pursuing in the fall of 2023 or more recently?

Select one.

Agricultural/Food Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry

Biochemistry

Biochemical engineering

Biology

Biotechnology

Business Administration

Catalysis

Chemical Education

Chemical engineering

Clinical chemistry

Computational Chemistry

Computer science

Environmental Chemistry

General Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Law

Materials Science

Materials Engineering

Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Nanochemistry

Nuclear Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry

Process Control and Optimisation

Other chemical science, please specify

Other non-chemistry, please specify:

Please, specify:*

Current or Most Recent Primary Job

Which of the following best describes your current or most recent employer?*

Select one.

An academic institution

Industry, a manufacturing or non-manufacturing company

Government (including Local or Central) or military organization

Research institute

School, further education college, or equivalent

Consulting practice

Non-profit institution

Not sure

Which one of the following best describes your current or most recent type of work?*

If in part-time work, self-employed, or a consultant, please answer this question based on the job/s which generates the most income for you.

Academic

Analysis

Apprentice

Commercial/Financial

Other non-chemistry, please specify:

Consultant (or part of practice)

Data Science

Development

Environmental Monitoring

General Administration

General Management

Health and Safety

Human Resources

PGCE Student

Postgraduate (excl. part-time)

Production

Quality Assurance/Control

Research

Sales and Marketing

Teacher

Technician

Undergraduate (excl. part-time)

Other science work (please specify)

Other non-science work (please specify in as much detail as you need)

Please, specify:*

Please, specify*

Which language do/did you predominantly use in your job?*

Please, specify:*

On average, how many hours do/did you work per week?

Please enter a number from 0 to 99.

Please rate your agreement with the following statements regarding your primary employment:

The position is related to my field*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

The position is commensurate with my education/training*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

My position is professionally challenging*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

The position is similar to what I expected to be doing when I began my academic program*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

How do you define success in your career? Please rank all of the following factors: (10 stands for most important, while 1 stands for least important) Select one response per statement.

Personal job satisfaction:*

Team success:*

Scientific discovery:*

Recognition:*

Organisation's success:*

Pay:*

Product innovation:*

Mentoring success:*

Better world:

Job promotion:*

Contracts/grants:*

To what extent do you agree, or disagree, with the following statements about your current job? (If in part-time work, self-employed or a consultant, please answer this question based on the job/s which generates the most income for you. Select one response per statement.

I feel my pay compares fairly with the market rate*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel secure in my current job*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel there are equal opportunities for all employees where I work*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel my job is important to the success of my current employer*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel proud to work for my current employer*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel able to be myself at work*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel my working environment is diverse*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I feel my working environment is inclusive*

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

How many kilometres do/did you travel daily between your home and your job (simple driving distance)?

Please state in kilometers.

Academic Employer

Please indicate your current or most recent primary academic employer*

Select only one.

College or university excluding medical schools (tertiary education level) where the highest degree offered in chemistry or chemical engineering is: Associate’s or equivalent

College or university excluding medical schools (tertiary education level) where the highest degree offered in chemistry or chemical engineering is: Bachelor’s or equivalent

College or university excluding medical schools (tertiary education level) where the highest degree offered in chemistry or chemical engineering is: Master’s or equivalent

College or university excluding medical schools (tertiary education level) where the highest degree offered in chemistry or chemical engineering is: Doctorate or equivalent

University medical or professional school or equivalent

High school or equivalent (secondary education level)

Other academic, please specify:

Please specify:*

What is or was your academic employer?*

Select one.

Public institution

Private institution

Not sure/not applicable

What is or was your academic rank?*

Select one

Full professor

Associate professor

Assistant professor

Visiting or adjunct professor, instructor, lecturer

Graduate teaching assistant or research assistant

Non-teaching research appointment

Secondary Teacher

Other non-faculty

My institution does not have ranks

Have or had you been granted tenure?

Select one.

Yes

Not tenured, in tenure track

Not tenured, not in tenure track

Not applicable

What is or was your basic contract period (number of monthly payments per year)?

9 or 10 months

11 or 12 months

Which of the following do you devote the most time to?*

Select one.

Teaching, undergraduate

Teaching, graduate

Research

Administration

Other

Please, specify:*

In your institution, how long do your graduates on average take to complete their full-time Ph.D. studies?*

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

To what extent are doctoral candidates at your institution financially supported (stipend, grant, salary, scholarship, fellowship, etc.) by the following sources? Select one response per statement.

Ministry, research council, etc. (national public sources):*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

University grant, scholarship, etc:*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

University employment:*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Mix of several sources:*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Non-domestic (international) source:*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Employer (private, public, NGO):*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

No financial support:*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Organisation of doctoral education Select one response per statement.

Doctoral education is organised in programmes with specific elements such as taught courses, milestones, mobility options etc.*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Doctoral education is managed through an organisational unit doctoral school, which oversees the development of programmes, ensures quality, develops regulations and guidelines, etc.*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Doctoral education is managed through an inter-organisational unit (e.g. university consortium, cross-institutional doctoral school)*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Doctoral education is led by individual supervisors with no institutional oversight*

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Strategic priorities: To what extent are the following issues currently considered a strategic priority in doctoral education within your institution? Select one response per statement.

Funding of doctoral education:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Research ethics:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Attracting doctoral candidates from abroad:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Career development of doctoral candidates:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Gender equality:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Open Access / Open Science:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Health/wellbeing of doctoral candidates:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Increasing the number of doctoral candidates:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

University-business cooperation within doctoral education:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Societal engagement of doctoral candidates:

Not at all

To a small extent

To some extent

To a great extent

Always

Industry and Other Non-Academic Employer

Please indicate current or most recent principal employer. Select only one.

Manufacturing company primarily involved in:*

Please, specify:*

Non-manufacturing company, not self-employed, primarily involved in*

Please, specify:*

Government*

Please, specify:*

Please indicate current or most recent principal employer*

Self-employed

What is the size of your company?*

Select one.

Large industry (>250 employees and turnover >50 M€/y)

Small and medium size enterprise (<250 employees and turnover <50 M€/y)

Industry association / platform

Which is the most important geographical market for your company?

Select one.

Local/regional

National

Worldwide

Do you have a R&D department in your company?*

Select one.

Yes

Which impact on your professional life in 2025 do you expect by the following digital technologies? Please rate on a scale between 10 (highest impact) and 1 (lowest impact) or chose 0 if you have no information about this technology. Select one response per statement.

Blockchain:

3D printing:

Augmented and virtual reality:

Robotics:

Deep learning:

Machine learning:

Internet of things:

Cloud:

Modelling and simulation:

Big data:

What is the one work function that best describes your job?*

Analytical services, other than forensics

Chemistry information services

Computer programming, analysis, design

Consulting

Forensic analysis

General management or administration (other than R&D)

Health and safety/regulatory affairs

Marketing, sales, purchasing, technical service, economic evaluation

Patents, licensing, trademarks

Production, quality control

R&D: Applied research, development, design

R&D: Basic research

R&D: Management or administration

Training or teaching

Other, please specify

Please, specify:*

How is your job classified?*

Select one.

Manager or administrator

Scientist or engineer

Chemical or engineering technician

Other

Please, specify:*

How many people do you supervise, directly or indirectly as of April 1, 2025?*

Your look ahead

Which of the following skills do you think you need to develop in your career within the next 12 months?*

Please select all that apply.

Assertiveness

Commercial / business acumen

Communication

Complex problem solving

Creativity

Critical thinking

Decision making

Managing remote / hybrid teams

Financial management

General digital skills (required in most work settings)

Influencing skills

Leadership

Management

Networking / cultivating professional relationships

Project management

Proposal writing

Specialist digital skills (role or sector specific)

Strategic planning and implementation

Stress management and resilience

Technical skills

Training skills

Environmental sustainability skills (e.g., green experimental design, waste management, lifecycle assessment, green chemistry)

Other

Please, specify:*

What, if any, are the biggest challenges in obtaining the skills you need to develop in your career?

Lack of relevant employer provided training courses*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Lack of time to attend training courses*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Lack of time for professional development activities (self-directed learning, self-reflection, mentoring)*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Lack of opportunity to gain experience in the workplace*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Lack of support from within the organisation*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Low quality of available training courses/providers*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Cost of training courses and sources of learning (LinkedIn learning, Coursera)*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Don’t know what specific training I require*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Don’t know what skills development activities I need*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Unsure how to plan or develop my career*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Lack of access to mentoring and/or coaching*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Lack of accessible training options*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

There are no challenges*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Other*

Choose up to 5, ranking the most important as 1, the least important as 5

Please, specify:*

How important to you would the following be, from any future employer? Select one response per statement.

Fair financial remuneration*

Extremely important

Important