What Skills Are in Demand for Spectroscopists?

Brian R. Strohmeier is currently serving as President of Pittcon for next year’s show, and in his role, he is at the front of seeing the current trends and developments in the spectroscopic job market and the latest advancements in the industry.

For this reason, we wanted to get his perspective on the current job market, as well as what he views as the most important trends and developments in analytical spectroscopy. Thus far, Strohmeier touched upon several important topics in his conversation with Spectroscopy. He talked about the 2026 Wallace H. Coulter Keynote Lecture given by Frances Arnold, who was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry back in 2018, as being a major highlight of Pittcon 2026’s technical program. He also shared several valuable insights into why Pittcon returning to Pittsburgh in 2027 means a lot to the city and to the organization.^1,2

In the final part of our conversation with Strohmeier, he emphasizes the importance of soft skills, such as leadership and energy, in career advancement for scientists, especially in competitive job markets. He suggests while technical skills are crucial, soft skills can provide a significant competitive edge. To develop these skills, he recommends taking short courses, online courses, or pursuing a master's degree in leadership. Building a personal brand through networking, joining societies, and maintaining a strong LinkedIn profile is also highlighted.

Will Spectroscopy Magazine provide more coverage of the Pittcon 2026 Conference?

Spectroscopy will be continuing to provide coverage of the Pittcon 2026 conference on an ongoing basis as we report back from San Antonio. You can expect our coverage of Pittcon 2026 to continue through the month of April. You can stay up to date with our latest coverage of the Pittcon 2026 to learn about the recent developments in analytical spectroscopy.

References

1. Strohmeier, B.; Wetzel, W. What Were the Key Highlights This Year at Pittcon 2026? Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/what-were-the-key-highlights-this-year-at-pittcon-2026- (accessed 2026-03-27).
2. Wetzel, W. Pittcon 2027: Returning to Pittsburgh is a Nod to the Past. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/pittcon-2027-returning-to-pittsburgh-is-a-nod-to-the-past (accessed 2026-03-27).