Research Scientist: What Is It, How to Become One, Where You Can Work, and More

As a research scientist, you have the opportunity to change the world. You might find out how a new drug affects the human body, analyze data to predict the weather, determine what causes a certain disease, or determine how to make a new, healthier version of a certain food. Research scientists can work in numerous areas, ranging from energy to agriculture to health care, but no matter where you work, your results can have a huge impact on the day-to-day lives of people worldwide. 

Knowing more about becoming a research scientist can help you decide if this is the career for you. Explore the education, skills, and experience you'll need for the job and what you might do on a daily basis, as well as the salary, job outlook, and a possible career path. 

What is a research scientist?

A research scientist finds solutions to problems and contributes to scientific knowledge by conducting research and experiments. They work in public and private settings and share their findings with employers and colleagues by releasing reports, research papers, and articles.  

What do research scientists do?

Research scientists engage in two kinds of research: pure research and applied research. Pure, sometimes called basic, research involves using scientific methods to make discoveries and add to the world's body of knowledge. Applied research involves using knowledge gained to develop new applications, processes, or products or to improve existing ones. 

Read more: What Does an Applied Scientist Do? Career Guide

Tasks and responsibilities

To gain insight into a research scientist career, it helps to know about daily tasks and responsibilities. In this position, your duties might include:

• Planning, designing, and overseeing experiments and/or conducting other types of research

• Collecting samples and data

• Documenting research results and sharing them with employers and research publications 

• Writing proposals for future research projects

• Ordering, caring for, and maintaining lab supplies and equipment

• Following established safety methods and procedures

• Supervising laboratory assistants and/or assistant researchers

• Demonstrating experimental methods

• Keeping current on the latest technology and scientific developments

Beneficial skills for research scientists

To carry out your daily tasks and responsibilities, you can benefit from various skills as a research scientist. These include workplace skills (those needed to work alongside others) and technical skills (those needed to use job-specific tools or perform job-specific tasks).

Workplace skills

Research scientists might teach classes, work alongside others in a lab setting, and provide presentations to colleagues or employers. Beneficial skills that can help in these types of situations include:

• Ability to work alone or with a team

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility

• Initiative

• Leadership

• Problem-solving skills

• Verbal and written communication skills

Read more: What Are Job Skills and Why Do They Matter?

Technical skills

Working in research demands several key technical skills. Some of these might include: 

• Ability to plan, design, and oversee research projects

• Deep understanding of scientific approaches, principles, and methods

• Background in programming languages like Python and C++,

• Knowledge of data analysis 

• Knowledge of the latest industry developments and scientific trends

Research scientist salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, a research scientist in the US earns an average base salary of $107,590 per year[1]. However, salaries for research scientists can vary according to industry. For instance, a research scientist working in agriculture earns an average base salary of $112,760 per year, while a research scientist working in information technology (IT) earns an average base salary of $160,112 per year [1]. Earning bonuses can add to the annual salary amount for a research scientist.  

Over the last five years, salaries for research scientists have risen by 14 percent, according to Zippia [2]. Projections for job growth in research science are 10 percent for medical science researchers and 23 percent for computer and information research scientists for the period between 2022 to 2032, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [3, 4]. 

Research scientist career paths

Knowing how to advance your career from a research scientist position can help you decide if you want to become one. Examples of a research scientist's career path might look like this:

Research scientist→Sr. research scientist→Principal research scientist→Research director

Research scientist→Research fellow→Doctoral fellow

Research scientist→Chemist→Microbiologist

Research scientist→Research biochemist→Toxicologist

Research scientist→Laboratory manager→Research and development manager

Research scientist→Consultant→Project manager

Research scientist→Assistant professor→Study director

How to become a research scientist

Becoming a research scientist involves a number of key steps. They include earning at least one degree, getting relevant certifications, gaining work experience, and networking. 

1. Earn a degree.

Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree for a research scientist position, and some may even require a master's degree or doctorate. Common majors for someone looking to become a research scientist include:

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Biophysics

• Computer science

• Molecular biology

• Biochemistry 

• Pharmacology

• Premed

Read more: 16 Science Majors (and Related Careers) to Consider

2. Get certifications.

Certifications from professional associations might improve your chances of getting a research scientist job by distinguishing you from other candidates. The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) offers relevant certifications like:

• ACRP Certified Professional (CP)

• ACRP Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)

• ACRP Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)

• ACRP Certified Principal Investigator (CPI)

3. Gain work experience.

Working in an entry-level position like a lab technician or assistant researcher can help you gain valuable work experience for a research scientist career. To get one of these positions, you may want to volunteer in a lab or seek an internship. To find an internship, check with the career center at your college or university, look for internship posts on local job websites, check professional social media sites, or visit your local job service.

4. Network

Your professional network can be a great source of information when you're looking for a job. To help land a research scientist position, consider attending industry events or joining a science society that relates to your field.  

Read more: What Is Networking? How to Grow Your Network

Where do research scientists work?

As mentioned, you can work in the private or public sector as a research scientist, so your type of workplace might be a hospital, manufacturing firm, or government agency to name a few. The specific places you work in a particular field or industry can include an office, laboratory, or classroom.

Available fields and industries for research scientists

You have many options when deciding what type of research you wish to conduct. Some common fields and industries for research scientists might include:

• Health care

• Marine biology 

• Pharmaceutical 

• Food and beverage 

• Engineering 

• Technology

• Chemistry 

• Energy

Getting started with Coursera

Research scientists make a big impact on the day-to-day lives of people around the world, whether they work in health care, technology, or some other industry. Not only is the job rewarding, but it has a positive outlook, meaning the need for people in this field is on the rise.  

To start down your path toward a research scientist career, consider taking Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend Is Wrong, offered by Yale University on Coursera. This beginner-level course contains seven modules that you can complete in about three weeks, studying for just five hours per week. The program covers topics like medical statistics, medical studies, how wrong conclusions are reached, and more. Upon completion, gain a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.