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Chem Tech Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Machinist - HIIM

Newport News, VA · On-site

$19.75 - $27/hr

Minimum of five years experience as an inside machinist; preferably in marine, commercial nuclear or Petro-chem industries. Skills & other requirements: * Able to operate Conventional Boring Mill ...

Machinist - HIIM

Newport News, VA · On-site

$19.75 - $27/hr

Minimum of five years experience as an inside machinist; preferably in marine, commercial nuclear or Petro-chem industries. Skills & other requirements: * Able to operate Conventional Boring Mill ...

... solvers (VULCAN, Loci/CHEM, FUN3D, USM3D, OVERFLOW, CFD++, etc.)* Experience with data ... technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and ...

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Chem Tech information

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$11

$20

$27

How much do chem tech jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for chem tech in Virginia is $20.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chem tech?

A Chemical Technician (Chem Tech) assists chemists and engineers in laboratories and industrial settings by conducting experiments, analyzing substances, and maintaining lab equipment. They help with research, product testing, quality control, and production processes. Their work ensures accuracy, safety, and efficiency in chemical-related industries such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and environmental science.

What does a chem tech do?

A typical day for a Chem Tech involves preparing and analyzing samples, operating laboratory equipment, recording and interpreting data, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards. Chem Techs often collaborate closely with chemists, engineers, and other laboratory staff to support research, product development, or quality control. While much of the work is hands-on in the lab, there are also reporting and documentation tasks that require attention to detail. This mix of activities provides variety and opportunities to develop both technical and teamwork skills.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a chem tech?

To thrive as a Chem Tech, you need a solid understanding of chemistry, laboratory techniques, and safety protocols, often supported by an associate degree or relevant certification. Familiarity with analytical instruments like spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help Chem Techs work accurately and collaboratively. These skills are crucial for ensuring safe, precise, and efficient laboratory operations in support of scientific or industrial goals.

How do you become a chemical technician?

To become a chemical technician, typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required, followed by an associate degree in chemistry, chemical technology, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships or on-the-job training is common, and familiarity with laboratory equipment and safety protocols is essential.
Infographic showing various Chem Tech job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,477 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Open Rank - Assistant, Associate or Full Professor - Chemistry

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA • On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Virginia Tech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 66 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

236th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Open Rank - Assistant, Associate or Full Professor - Chemistry

Apply now Back to search results Job no: 537460
Work type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Science
Department: Chemistry
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Instructional / Teaching Faculty, Research / Scientific

Job Description

The Department of Chemistry at Virginia Tech invites applications for multiple tenure-track faculty positions at the assistant, associate, and full professor levels. We seek outstanding candidates in all areas of chemistry, broadly defined, who will establish innovative, externally funded research programs and contribute to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education.
Virginia Tech Chemistry is a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary department with strengths spanning the molecular sciences. We welcome applicants whose research complements or expands our areas of emphasis, including:
Energy and Sustainability
Drug Discovery and Chemical Biology
Materials for Medicine and Human Health
Theory, Modeling, and Computational Chemistry
As a comprehensive land-grant university, Virginia Tech is guided by its motto, Ut Prosim ("That I May Serve"). We seek faculty who are excited to pursue research, education, and engagement that advance the chemical sciences while making a meaningful impact on society. This spirit of service, combined with a deeply collaborative academic culture, defines our community and our approach to discovery.
Faculty benefit from strong institutional investments in research through world-class centers and institutes across Virginia Tech. In particular, the Department of Chemistry has a prominent leadership role in the Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery and the Macromolecules Innovation Institute, which serve as major hubs for interdisciplinary research in drug discovery, biotechnology, advanced materials, polymer science, and human health. These organizations, together with the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, provide access to state-of-the-art facilities, shared instrumentation, and collaborative networks that accelerate discovery from fundamental science to translational impact.
Virginia Tech is committed to translating fundamental discoveries into real-world impact. Faculty have access to a robust innovation ecosystem that supports the advancement of new technologies from the laboratory to society through LINK, LICENSE, LAUNCH, Virginia Tech's integrated framework for innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, Virginia Tech offers an exceptional quality of life, a welcoming university community, and access to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding region.
Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in chemistry or a closely related field by the appointment start date and demonstrate the potential to develop a nationally recognized research program, together with a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring. Successful candidates will contribute to the department's educational mission through teaching and curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including foundational courses, such as general chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and analytical chemistry, as well as undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with their expertise and departmental needs.
We invite creative and ambitious scientists to join our community and help shape the future of chemistry through discovery, collaboration, innovation, mentorship, and service.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field is required; the degree is required at the time of appointment.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Assistant $90,000 - $100,000;

Associate $115,000 - $130,000

Full $145,000 - $200,000

Hours per week

40 hours - exempt position

Review Date

10/1/2026

Additional Information

Application materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, detailed research plan (not to exceed seven pages), and statement of teaching philosophy (not to exceed two pages). 

Please indicate your preferred rank for consideration and area(s) of interest in your cover letter. 
Applicants should arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be submitted (upon request) to receive full consideration. Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

For any questions specifically related to the positions, please contact John Morris, Search Committee Chair, at jrmorris@vt.edu
For further information about the position and the Department of Chemistry, please visit www.chem.vt.edu.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

The position requires some travel to meetings and conferences. 

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Leslie Cherry-Marshall at lmcherry@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: September 1, 2026
Applications close:

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About Virginia Tech

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Virginia Tech, guided by its motto "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), embraces a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to educate scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. As a comprehensive land-grant institution, it enriches the quality of life in Virginia and worldwide, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. With over 280 majors, the university serves a diverse student body of more than 36,000 across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Virginia Tech's presence extends throughout Virginia, including campuses in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Newport News, and Richmond, along with multiple Extension offices and research centers. As a prominent global research institution, it conducts over $500 million in research annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Blacksburg, VA, US

Year founded

1872

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