Do you like to conduct experiments? Love science and want a job where you can use your research skills? You may enjoy a career as a research scientist.
Most research scientists earn above-average wages and work in many different fields. But there are certain steps you must take to qualify for this role. Knowing how to become a research scientist can help you determine if the job is a good fit.
In this article, we discuss research scientist education. We also cover the best research scientist degree to get. You will learn about different research scientist education requirements and what you can do to land a job out of college. Read on to find out more about the role of a research scientist.
What Does a Research Scientist Do?
A research scientist spends their days conducting lab experiments. They work on clinical trials and perform major research in fields such as:
- Biological science
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Environmental science
- Medicine
- Political science
Most experiments you perform as a research scientist take place in a lab environment. These experiments can benefit society and help people live longer, better lives.
Primary responsibilities of a research scientist include planning and carrying out experiments. You write research reports based on the data you collect. You also collect samples and perform various fieldwork tasks.
Some research scientist jobs are in leadership and management. In these roles, you supervise aspiring research scientists. You demonstrate procedures and tasks. You also oversee experiments conducted by assistants in a lab environment.
You become a research scientist by obtaining a degree and getting research experience. It takes a research scientist years of school and study to qualify for a certified clinical research associate job. But with the right degree and training, many research scientists enjoy good pay and advancement opportunities.
Steps to Become a Research Scientist
There are basic steps to follow to become a research scientist.
- Get a bachelor’s degree
- Earn a master’s degree
- Gain experience and training
- Pursue certifications
- Go back to school for a doctorate degree
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Research Scientist?
You need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field to become a research scientist. If you are unsure about the best degree in science to get, you can earn a general degree in clinical research. But if you want to conduct research in medicine, you can get a degree in:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Molecular biology
- Pharmacology
- Pre-med
To date, the most popular major for aspiring research scientists is chemistry. In a chemistry program, you take foundational courses in the field. Your courses include inorganic and organic chemistry. You also take physical chemistry and analytical chemistry. You conduct experiments and learn how to write research proposals. You also write many research papers. During your senior year, you work on original research to further develop your skills.
The research you do as an undergraduate helps you develop critical thinking skills. You graduate ready for work as a research assistant. From there, you can continue your education and get more research experience.
Classes Outside Your Major
You will take plenty of science classes if your major is chemistry or biology. But plan on taking other classes that benefit your career as a research scientist. You should take many classes in mathematics and computer science. Both subjects teach you valuable skills in research.
Math classes in college give you a deep understanding of numbers. You learn how to interpret data and apply methodology. College statistics courses also prepare you for work as a research scientist.
Since every field uses computers, computer science courses also help. Clinical research professionals have at least some background in computers. If you can take an entry-level coding class or an introduction to Python or another coding language, you can benefit your career.
Other Research Majors
There are other majors you can choose if you want to work as a research scientist. You don’t have to study chemistry or pre-med. But the major you choose should align with the area of research you want to work in.
Suitable alternatives include:
- Computer or information science
- Engineering
- Environmental science
- Materials science
- Physics
If you want to conduct environmental research, you should plan to major in environmental science. But if you want to be a research scientist working in labor statistics, you can major in political science. You can also major in another closely related field.
You can even major in a social science if you plan to work in the field. Some students choose political science or sociology. You find social research scientist jobs with a relevant undergraduate degree.
Can a Master’s Degree Help You Become a Research Scientist?
What degree do you need to be a scientist? Any old science degree will do. But if you want to be a research scientist, you first need a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree.
Once you have your bachelor’s degree, you can qualify for some entry-level jobs. You might find work as a research assistant. But to become a research associate or manager, you need an advanced degree.
Most research scientist jobs want candidates with master’s degrees. Most research scientist qualifications with private companies and government agencies include a graduate degree. Universities hiring a research scientist might ask for a PhD. But it is important to remember that research scientist requirements vary by employer.
Some schools offer a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. You can earn both degrees in four to six years. But like employers, degree programs also vary.
A standalone master’s program takes two to three years to complete. Coursework depends on which subject you’re studying. But in most graduate programs, you’ll find:
- Laboratory based experiments
- Opportunities to develop critical thinking abilities
- Preparation for writing research papers
You will learn how to write grant proposals and work on published papers. These opportunities will help you improve your writing skills as a research scientist. Your observation skills will also improve as you carry out experiments and get research findings.
You will find that a graduate program builds on the knowledge you learned in your bachelor’s degree program. But there are other skills and abilities you should also develop.
Experience and Training for a Research Scientist
You will need experience and training to better qualify for research jobs. In school, you learn how to write research papers. But outside of school, you need training and experience. A research scientist can get experience by entering the workforce as an assistant. With a master’s degree, you can qualify for some research scientist jobs.
It is also good to get one or two years of training before entering a doctoral program. Some students defer their master’s degree to work as a research assistant. This gives you valuable work experience and training valued by potential employers.
Certifications for a Research Scientist
You don’t need a certification to work as a research scientist, but one can differentiate you from other job candidates. Most research scientist jobs ask for education and experience. But a certification can show a potential employer that you have important skills that make you stand out.
There are several certifications you can get to help you qualify for research scientist jobs. The Association of Clinical Research Professionals offers many different types. These include:
- Certified Clinical Research Associate
- Certified Principal Investigator
- Other ACRP Certified Professional designations
Important Skills for a Research Scientist
Now that you know how to become a research scientist through education and training, you need to look at other important skills and abilities that can benefit your career. Aspiring research scientists should have certain skills that help lead to their success on the job. You can pick up these skills in school as you learn to research and solve problems. But some are soft skills that aren’t taught in the classroom.
Read on to find out which skills and abilities you need to have success as a research scientist.
Ability to Persevere
Since scientific research involves trial and error, you should understand that failure is part of the job. Without perseverance, a research scientist can get discouraged or give up. Your ability to persevere will help you keep going.
Analytical Skills
A research scientist must be accurate and precise in their research. The job requires you to analyze your research findings and collect data. You search for errors that could invalidate your research. To do these tasks, you should have strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Communication skills
Research scientists work with other scientists and team members. They communicate their findings through technical reports, research proposals, and presentations. You should have good communication skills to work in this role.
But your interpersonal skills should go beyond the scientific audience. You should be able to speak with other scientists, as well as those with no scientific background.
Organizational Skills
You need more than research abilities and good interpersonal skills to work research scientist jobs. You also need strong organizational skills. A research scientist must document their processes and research. They must follow industry procedures and regulations. Disorganization can lead to:
- Damaged equipment
- Legal problems
- Safety issues
Time Management Skills
Most research scientists have strong time management skills. You need these skills because your research is time-sensitive. Without good time management, your experiments can fail.
How Much Money Can You Make as a Research Scientist?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average salary for research scientists as $99,460/year. But the highest earners–the top 10%–see an average salary of $165,290/year.
The money you make depends on these factors:
- Geographic location
- Industry
- Level of experience
The average research scientist salary can increase or decrease depending on your level of education and experience. But you can find the best job prospects, career growth, and money if you know where to look.
High-Paying Geographic Locations
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports five top-paying states for research scientists. The average salary for each state is listed below:
- New Hampshire: $156,630/year
- Connecticut: $137,380/year
- Indiana: $122,810/year
- Colorado: $120,270/year
- Washington: $116,840/year
High-Paying Industries
Many research scientists find a strong average salary if they know where to look. The BLS reports 5 top-paying industries for research scientists. Top industries and the average salary for research scientists include:
- Management of companies and enterprises: $116,000/year
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing: $114,930/year
- Engineering, life, and physical sciences: $100,470/year
- Chemical manufacturing: $90,710/year
- Architectural, engineering, and related services: $83,360/year
Information research scientists see about the same average salary as those in computer and electronics. Clinical research scientists see some of the highest earnings. But your pay depends on which industry you choose to work in. A research scientist doing clinical trials in medicine will earn more than one in environmental science.
Career Growth and Job Outlook for Research Scientists
The job outlook for research scientists depends on where you work and the kind of research you do. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports research scientists in the medical field should see an 8% job growth over the next decade. This is faster than the 5% average growth for all other occupations.
Areas where you will see the most growth include pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing. A demand for nanotechnology used in medicine will drive growth for research scientists.
But job growth will also rise in other fields and industries. Growth in chemical manufacturing will result in the need for more research scientists to help improve environmental safety. Companies will hire more materials research scientists to provide safer materials.
You will also find strong job growth in industries like:
- Electronics
- Energy
- Transportation
Other Reasons for Job Growth
Research scientists should see job growth over the next decade. Companies will replace research scientists who retire or transfer. They will look for college graduates with lab experience and research skills.
- Cooperative programs
- Internships
- Volunteer work
How Research Scientists Advance in their Career
Research scientists advance with experience. The more qualified you are, the easier it is to advance. Most research scientists have bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Some go back to school and earn a PhD. But even PhD holders can’t advance with lab experience.
The best way to move into a senior position or leadership role is to get research experience. The more you have, the easier it will be to move up the ladder. You can get experience while in school. Some college students work alongside a professor. They do research and conduct experiments. The lucky ones earn publishing credentials.
If your resumé lacks research experience, try working as an assistant on your college campus. You can also volunteer at a private company to help improve your research skills.
BDP Staff
September 2022
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