Analytical chemistry is the science of obtaining, processing and communicating information about the composition and structure of matter (quoted from the American Chemical Society). Chemists with broad knowledge and skills in the development of new analytical methods and in the use of sophisticated analytical instruments are indispensable in various areas such as environmental chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, food chemistry, clinical chemistry or chemical engineering. Analytical data can have a major impact on other scientific disciplines and are of significant importance to our society.

According to the latest surveys on the employment of graduates of university chemistry programs, analytical chemistry is one of the most common areas of work for this group of people. Teaching analytical chemistry at a university must therefore guarantee a high level of qualification after graduation. Training at an internationally recognized scientific level is only possible through the unity of teaching and research, as practiced at the university.

The Institute of Analytical Chemistry offers expertise in all areas of organic analysis and organic trace analysis, based on the availability of modern instrumentation for gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. In addition to basic research, cooperation with industrial partners is pursued. Lectures and laboratory courses in analytical chemistry are offered at Bachelor / Master / PhD level for various programs such as Technical Chemistry, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology. Members of the institute represent Austria in international chemical societies, are present in scientific committees of international conferences, or are active as editors for scientific journals, thus ensuring that the JKU is highly visible in the scientific community.