In 1992, Cramer joined the faculty in the University of Minnesota's department of chemistry, where he remained for his entire academic career. In addition to teaching and research, Cramer was director of both undergraduate and graduate studies in the chemistry department for three years each. He led the university's Faculty Consultative Committee in 2011–2012. managing the administration, planning, and regulation of nearly $1 billion in research projects across the entire University of Minnesota system, including economic and technical development, and interdisciplinary efforts involving transportation and the environment. In 2021, he left the University of Minnesota and became the senior vice president and chief research officer for
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and
computer simulations of
chemical weapons to assist in identification and cleanup. He has also worked extensively with the
Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. received the George W. Taylor Award of Distinguished Service in 2013, He has also worked to increase public awareness and appreciation of science, and has been quoted in news articles and television reports as an expert on popular chemistry-related topics such as
tear gas and
pepper spray,
slime,
road salt, and the persistence of particular smells. ==Publications==