Strange places to find a Chromatographer - Part V - At the school, teaching.



Photo by US FDA flickr page

Most universities include chromatography in analytical chemistry classes, but we all know that this is far from enough to one really learn the craft. Dr. Grob have a perfect paper about this subject I republished here.

But in my own experience, have someone with a experimental background in chromatography is essential even to learn the basics. Once we had a "experienced" teacher with a Ph.D in Mass spectrometry who clogged a column injecting 50uL of a painkiller pill solution without filter it. 

I insist that chromatography is different from all analytical techniques. Is far more full of details and variables than others. Is also the more versatile, and , to be able to use all these advantages someone need the "side thinking" and understand globally what is happening.

How many times I saw someone taking a method for TMS derivatives and running the raw compound at the GC!

University is not the only place as teaching can be the primary activity of this chromatographer. Many independent companies that teach the "troubleshooting", "method validation" and "basic LC" courses employ experienced analyst to discuss and transmit the knowledge everybody need.

Some companies have even, online teaching, where you can have some webcasts that discuss gradient elution, HILIC caracteristics and such.

As you can see, it's not so difficult see a chromatographer working in teaching.