what's a research scientist

How To Become A Research Scientist: What To Know

Updated: Feb 29, 2024, 1:40pm

Research is at the center of everything we know and discover, whether it’s food science, engineering, wildlife or the climate. Behind these discoveries, a research scientist conducts experiments, collects data, and shares their findings with the world.

Research and development scientist, or R&D scientist, is a broad career term that encompasses numerous types of scientists, from geologists to historians. Still, every research scientist has the same goal of furthering their field through experimentation and data analysis.

Browse this guide to discover how to become a research scientist and learn about this role, responsibilities and career outlook.

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What Does a Research Scientist Do?

Research scientists design and conduct research projects and experiments to collect and interpret relevant data. Many research scientists work in laboratory settings for universities, private businesses or government agencies.

These professionals are key players in many industries, from healthcare to marine biology . For instance, a chemist may test various materials for future upgrades to a medical device, while a wildlife research scientist might conduct long-term studies on a species’s breeding patterns.

The typical duties of a research scientist, regardless of their industry and position, include:

• Identifying research needs
• Collaborating with other professionals in a project
• Conducting research and experiments
• Writing laboratory reports
• Writing grant proposals
• Analyzing data
• Presenting research to appropriate audiences
• Developing research-related plans or projects

Research scientists may face challenges throughout their careers, like securing research funding or staying updated with policy changes and technologies. Additionally, to become involved in high-level research projects, research scientists usually need a doctoral degree, requiring substantial time and financial commitment.

How To Become a Research Scientist

The path to becoming a research scientist depends on your desired type of work.

For example, if you plan to become a research scientist for a hospital’s oncology department, you’ll likely need a doctoral degree and postdoctoral research experience. However, a product development researcher may only need a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The following steps outline the general path needed for many research scientist positions.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Research scientists can start by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the research they want to conduct. For instance, an undergraduate degree in natural resources is helpful to become a wildlife biologist, while a prospective forensic scientist can pursue a degree in forensics.

If you’re undecided about your post-graduate goals, you can pursue a general major like chemistry, biology or physics before choosing a more field-specific master’s or doctoral degree.

Complete a Master’s Degree

Many higher-level research jobs require a master’s degree in a relevant field. Pursuing a master’s degree lets you gain work experience before beginning a doctorate, sets you apart from other doctoral candidates and qualifies you for advanced research positions.

However, you can skip a master’s degree and enter a doctoral program. Many doctoral programs only require a bachelor’s degree for admission, so you could save time and money by choosing that route rather than earning a master’s.

Get a Doctoral Degree

Doctorates require students to hone their research skills while mastering their field of interest, making these degrees the gold standard for research scientists.

A doctorate can take four to six years to complete. Research scientists should opt for the most relevant doctorate for their career path, like clinical research, bioscience or developmental science.

Pursue a Research Fellowship

Some jobs for research scientists require candidates to have experience in their field, making a research fellowship beneficial. In a research fellowship, students execute research projects under the mentorship of an industry expert, often a researcher within the student’s college or university.

Students can sometimes complete a fellowship while pursuing their doctoral degree, but other fellowships are only available to doctoral graduates.

Research Scientist Salary and Job Outlook

Payscale reports the average research scientist earns about $87,800 per year as of February 2024. However, research scientist salaries can vary significantly depending on the field and the scientist’s experience level.

For example, Payscale reports that entry-level research scientists earn about $84,000 annually, but those with 20 or more years of experience average approximately $106,000 as of February 2024.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports salary data for several types of research scientist careers. For example, a geoscientist earns a median wage of about $87,000, while the median wage of a physicist is around $139,000 as of May 2022.

As salaries vary based on research science positions, so does demand. To illustrate, the BLS projects the need for chemists and materials scientists to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032 but projects medical scientist jobs to increase by 10% in the same timeframe. Both projections demonstrate above-average career growth, however.

Research Scientist Specializations

A research scientist can work in many industries, so it’s crucial to understand your options before beginning your studies. Pinpointing a few areas of interest can help you find the right educational path for your future career.

Research scientists can specialize in life, physical or earth sciences.

Life science researchers like botanists, biologists and geneticists study living things and their environments. Physical research scientists, like chemists and physicists, explore non-living things and their interactions with an environment. Earth science researchers like meteorologists and geologists study Earth and its features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Research Scientist

What degree does a research scientist need.

Research scientist education requirements vary by specialization, but entry-level research positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Some employers prefer a master’s or doctoral degree, as advanced degrees demonstrate specialized knowledge and research experience.

How do I start a career in scientific research?

Research scientists need at least a bachelor’s degree. Many graduates pursue a master’s or doctoral degree while gaining experience with an entry-level position, internship or fellowship.

Does being a research scientist pay well?

Research scientist careers generally pay well; some specializations pay more than others. For example, the BLS reports a median salary of about $67,000 for zoologists and wildlife biologists as of May 2022, but physicists and astronomers earn just over $139,000 annually.

How many years does it take to become a research scientist?

It can take up to 10 years to become a doctorate-prepared research scientist, plus another one to five years to complete a postdoctoral fellowship. Entry-level research scientist roles may only require a four-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, which takes one to two years.

Do you need a Ph.D. to be a research scientist?

No, not all research scientists need a Ph.D. Entry-level roles like forensic scientist technicians may only need a bachelor’s degree, and sociologists and economists usually need a master’s. Some research scientist roles, like physicists and medical scientists, require a doctoral degree.

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As a research scientist, you’ll plan and conduct experiments to help expand the canon of scientific knowledge. With limitless opportunities for discovery across a range of high-growth sectors and industries, being a research scientist is one of the most exciting career paths in STEM. 

What does a research scientist do, exactly.

The purpose of a research scientist role is to conduct lab-based trials and experiments.

Work is often divided between pure research, which advances our understanding of basic processes, and applied research, which uses the information gathered to meet targets such as creating new products, processes, or commercial applications.

Of course, your targets will depend on the specialism of your employer. Research scientists work across a variety of different fields, including biology, chemistry, medicine, computer science, environmental science, and even political science.

Responsibilities

Typical day-to-day responsibilities of a research scientist include:

• Creating research proposals
• Planning and conducting experiments
• Collecting samples
• Monitoring experiments
• Recording and analysing data
• Collaborating with other researchers and academia to develop new techniques and products
• Supervising junior staff
• Carrying out fieldwork and monitoring environmental factors
• Researching and writing published papers
• Staying up-to-date with the latest scientific developments

Work environment

As a research scientist, you’ll spend most of your week in a laboratory. These environments can vary depending on your specialism. For example, biology labs are designed to safely house and contain living specimens, while psychology labs may simply consist of a bank of computers.

Aside from lab work, certain aspects of your role (including writing up results or research papers) will be undertaken in an office environment. You may also be required to visit the labs or offices of other researchers or companies, especially if you are collaborating on the same project.

Working hours

Research scientists typically work 35 to 40 hours a week on a 9-to-5, full-time basis. On occasion, you may be required to work overtime or visit the laboratory on weekends to complete certain tasks. That said, most organisations offer flexible working arrangements. 

What skills are needed to be a research scientist?

Though research scientists come in all personality types, you’ll need to have an academic mindset and be naturally inquisitive. Research scientist skills include:

• A methodical approach to gathering and analysing data
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Advanced research skills
• Time management
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work independently
• A collaborative mindset
• Stakeholder management
• Patience and tenacity

How to become a research scientist

As a minimum requirement, you’ll need to obtain a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field of science. Most research scientists also have a postgraduate qualification, such as an MSc, an MSci or MBiol. Relevant qualifications include:

• Biochemistry
• Biomedical science
• Environmental science
• Microbiology
• Natural science
• Pharmacology

While a PhD isn’t necessarily required, some employers prefer candidates that either have or are working towards a doctorate. Demonstrable experience of working in a laboratory environment will also improve your employment chances.

Tip: If you’re currently studying or have already attained a relevant degree, try to gain research experience in a lab environment. The best place to start is by expressing your interest to your university department, who may have some voluntary positions available. Alternatively, sending your CV/resume to hospitals and STEM companies will also increase your chances of gaining that vital experience.

How much do research scientists earn?

Like many roles in science, salaries for research scientists depend on your level of experience, your specialism, the employer, and, to a lesser extent, the location. It’s also worth bearing in mind that private-sector salaries tend to be higher than those in the public sector or academia.

In the UK, research scientist salaries range from £20,000 at the entry-level to over £70,000 for university professor senior research fellow roles. The average research scientist salary is £32,330. Most research assistants earn between £26,000 and £35,000.

According to Indeed, the average salary for a research scientist in the US is $111,444.

Please note that income figures are subject to economic conditions and are only intended as a guide.

Is research scientist a good career?

With science constantly opening up exciting new avenues of research, working as a research scientist provides secure employment and gives you the chance to make a real difference within STEM.

Indeed, the outlook for the role is positive: in the US alone, the vocation is expected to grow by 8% and produce over 10,000 job opportunities across the country by 2028 (Zippia). As one of the least likely jobs to be automated in the coming years, the role also offers stability in these turbulent times. 

Offering a strong earning potential and the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a range of industries and locations, research scientist represents one of the most fulfilling career paths around.

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How to Become a Research Scientist

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Professionals with a background in biotechnology can choose to pursue many lucrative careers . One of the most common choices is to become a research scientist. These individuals work in drug and process development, consistently conducting research and performing experiments to help move the biotechnology industry forward. 

“At the highest level, a research scientist is somebody who can design and execute experiments to prove or disprove a hypothesis,” says Jared Auclair , director of the biotechnology and bioinformatics programs at Northeastern. “Within the world of biotechnology, that can mean a number of different things, from creating new drugs to improving the process of how we make a drug.”

Professionals in this industry are often drawn to the wide array of applications of this work, as well as the consistently positive career outlook. The average salary of a biotechnology research scientist is $85,907 per year, with plenty of opportunities for increased salary potential depending on specializations, location, and years of experience. 

These factors—alongside the growing demand for advancement in biotechnology over the last few decades—have led many aspiring biotechnologists to consider a career in research science. Below we offer five steps professionals can take to kick-start a career in this field.

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5 Steps to Become a Research Scientist

1. acquire the necessary technical skills..

According to Auclair, there are four main applications of research science within the biotechnology field:

• Molecular Biology
• Process Science
• Biochemistry
• Analytical Biotechnology

Professionals hoping to pursue a career in research science must begin by deciding which of these four areas is the best fit for their interests and backgrounds. They must then acquire the specific skill sets they need to excel in that area. 

Below, Auclair breaks down some of the key skills and knowledge required within each of these specializations:

• Molecular biologists should focus on developing a complex understanding of DNA and learn how to do a Polymerase Chain Reaction alongside other DNA-related experiments. 
• Process scientists must understand cell biology and how to work with living mammalian cells, as well as how to perform analytical experiments using mass spectrometry and other analytical tools.
• Biochemists should focus on obtaining the skills necessary to make a protein drug, including the expression and purification of proteins.
• Analytical biotechnicians must become comfortable with techniques like mass spectrometry—a process that uncovers what drug products are at a molecular level.

One efficient way aspiring research scientists can obtain these specific skill sets is to pursue a master’s degree in biotechnology at a top university like Northeastern. 

“The biotech program is designed in collaboration with industry so that we’re meeting their needs,” Auclair says. “This includes training students with the skills they need to be a successful research scientist.”

The curriculum of Northeastern’s program explores the core competencies required to excel in the general biotechnology field and provides students with the unique subsets of skills they need to specialize in a specific area of research science. Students can even declare one of 10 industry-aligned concentrations, including options that directly relate with these common research science roles.

“Especially in industry, most people who are doing research science—who are actually doing the experiments and helping think about experiments with some of the senior leaders in the company—are people with a master’s degree,” Auclair says.

2. Become a critical thinker.

Alongside honing technical skills, Auclair says that critical thinking abilities are key for aspiring research scientists. 

“It’s important to become a critical thinker and a problem solver, and to challenge yourself wherever you can to step outside of your comfort zone,” Auclair says. 

Though critical thinking is a common requirement among most professional career paths, it is especially important for research scientists, who are constantly tasked with innovating and thinking creatively to solve problems.

Northeastern’s master’s in biotechnology program is designed to help students grow in this regard. “Everything we do within the program is geared [toward] making you a critical thinker and a problem solver,” Auclair says. “We try to define classes and assessments to make you think, [and] we also hire most of the faculty in our program directly from the industry, so they bring with them real-world experience that they can talk about with the students.”

These real-world case studies are a core component of Northeastern’s approach to learning, and they help prepare students to think critically about their work. By bringing this exposure into the classroom, students also graduate better prepared to tackle current industry challenges and adapt to evolving trends .

3. Hone your “power skills.”

It’s no longer enough for research scientists in biotechnology to have obtained the technical skills needed to complete their work. Today, many employers require an array of industry-specific “power skills”—previously known as “soft skills”—among candidates for research science roles.

Below we explore the top three “power skills” for biotechnology research scientists:

• Communication: As a research scientist, “you must be able to communicate scientific information to both technical and non-technical people,” Auclair says. For this reason, professionals should work to hone their verbal and written communication styles, focusing specifically on the variances in each depending on which audience they’re interacting with.
• Presentation Ability: Research scientists must be able to present their findings clearly and concisely to a variety of different audiences, ranging from fellow scientists to investors to C-suite executives. Research scientists must be comfortable in front of a group and know how to speak about their experiments and conclusions in an engaging and informative way.
• Teamwork: Although one might think a research scientist’s work is very siloed, today’s professionals must be very comfortable working with others in a lab environment. They must become comfortable sharing ideas, providing feedback to others in their cohort, and tweaking their experiments based on contributed findings.

Northeastern offers students the chance to explore each of these core “power skills” during their time within the master’s in biotechnology program. For example, the university offers countless opportunities for students to collaborate with and present to classmates, instructors, and even industry-leading organizations through Northeastern’s experiential learning opportunities, giving them the chance to apply these skills in both classroom and real-world situations early on.

Learn More: How to Become a Biotechnologist: Build Your Soft Skills

4. Obtain hands-on experience.

One of the most effective ways an aspiring research scientist can prepare for a career in this field is to obtain experiences working in a real lab. While finding these kinds of opportunities can be difficult for those just breaking into the field, programs like Northeastern’s MS in biotechnology bake hands-on learning directly into the curriculum. 

“Students do essentially four to six months [working in the] industry, and put what they learn in the classroom…into practice,” Auclair says.

These opportunities, known as co-ops , provide students with the chance to work within top organizations in the industry and explore the real-world challenges of the field from inside a functioning lab.

Did You Know: Northeastern’s program provides students with exposure to the tools and equipment used within labs in the industry. This access to cutting-edge technology reduces the learning curve and allows students to dive into their work as soon as they graduate.

Another unique way Northeastern provides hands-on experience is through Experiential Network (XN) Projects . Students who participate in these projects are typically paired with a sponsor from an active biotech company that has a real-world problem they need to solve. Then, “under the guidance of a faculty member, students spend the semester trying to come up with solutions to that problem,” Auclair says. “It’s all student-driven.”

Hands-on learning opportunities like these give students a competitive advantage when it comes to applying for jobs. “The experiential learning piece [of our program] is what has our students actually stand out above others in the field,” Auclair says, because employers like to see that their candidates are capable of applying their skills in a real-world environment. 

5. Grow your network.

Research shows that 85 percent of all jobs today are filled through networking, making it more important than ever for professionals across industries to invest time and energy into building these vital relationships.

Professionals hoping to establish a career as a research scientist are no exception. These individuals should aim to develop connections with organizations and individuals within the greater biotech industry early on in their careers, and use those relationships to help carve their path forward.

Northeastern’s master’s in biotechnology program has strategically created many great opportunities for students to network throughout their time in the program. They are encouraged to build relationships with their classmates, guest speakers, faculty, and even the industry leaders they meet through co-ops and XN projects. As a result, they establish various impactful connections with individuals at different stages in their careers, all before they graduate.

Learn More: Networking Tips for Scientists

Another way Northeastern’s program supports networking is through opportunities for student/faculty collaboration. “We encourage our students to interact with our own faculty who are research scientists as much as possible, whether that’s volunteering in their lab or finding a half an hour to talk to them about what they’re doing,” Auclair says. “We want our students to be exposed to as many research scientists as possible while they’re in the program.”

Take the Next Step

Pursuing a master’s degree in biotechnology from a top university like Northeastern is a great way for aspiring research scientists to break into the field. Students in these programs can hone related skill sets, grow their professional networks, and experience hands-on learning, all while pursuing graduate-level education. 

Learn more about how a master’s in biotechnology can set you up for success as a research scientist on our program page , then get in touch with our enrollment coaches who can help you take the first step.

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A Research Scientist is responsible for designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results in order to make scientific discoveries and advancements. They often work in a laboratory setting, but may also conduct field research. They may also be responsible for writing research papers and presenting their findings to peers in the field. Research Scientists may work in a variety of fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine. They often have a PhD or a similar advanced degree.

What Does A Research Scientist Do?

How to become a research scientist.

To become a Research Scientist, one typically needs to have a PhD or a similar advanced degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, physics, or medicine. Additionally, relevant experience in research and laboratory work is also important.

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How do I become a Research Scientist?

Gain a strong educational foundation, develop essential research skills, gain practical laboratory experience, build your professional network, create a portfolio of your research, stay informed and continue professional development, typical requirements to become a research scientist, educational requirements and academic pathways, building experience in scientific research, key skills for aspiring research scientists, additional qualifications for a competitive edge, alternative ways to start a research scientist career, transitioning from industry positions, building on domain expertise, leveraging open source contributions and self-directed projects, utilizing non-traditional education and training, how to break into the industry as a research scientist - next steps, faqs about becoming a research scientist, how long does it take to become a research scientist, do you need a degree to become a research scientist, can i become a research scientist with no experience.

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What Does A Research Scientist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Alyssa Omandac November 9, 2020 Career , Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Research Scientists

Research Scientists primarily conduct laboratory-based experiments and clinical trials. They also write research papers and reports based on the results of their lab work.

Table of contents

What they do, what is the job like, where they work, how to become one, should you become one.

Research Scientists design and complete experiments in laboratory settings. They work in almost every area of science from medical research and pharmacology to meteorology and geoscience. Becoming a Research Scientist often requires specialized knowledge of a scientific field. Research Scientists may earn Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, or even Doctoral degrees.

Most of the work of a Research Scientist is performed in a lab. They design, set up, and carry out the experiments needed to develop products, solve problems, or improve the health of people or the environment.

Plan and Conduct Experiments

Research Scientists plan experiments based on the needs of their employers. For example, a Research Scientist working for a pharmaceutical company may design clinical trials to test the effectiveness of new medicine.

Research Scientists help determine what factors to evaluate during the experiment, what equipment is required, and how long the experiment may take. Executives and other Scientists involved in the project may then review the details of the experiment before it is approved and scheduled.

The Research Scientist is then responsible for conducting the experiment and ensuring the integrity of the results. Depending on the seniority of the Scientist, they may supervise a team of Lab Technicians and Junior Research Scientists.

Collect Samples and Carry Out Fieldwork

Before conducting an experiment, Research Scientists may need to collect samples. Samples may come from humans, animals, materials, or plants, depending on the type of research and the industry. When conducting a clinical trial involving human subjects, Research Scientists may work with volunteers in a laboratory. When testing the impact of chemicals on the environment, they may travel to specific locations and collect samples from the field.

While Research Scientists may occasionally perform fieldwork, most of their work is still performed in the lab. Any fieldwork that is required may also be completed by Technicians and entry-level Researchers.

Analyze the Data Obtained During Experiments

After conducting an experiment, Research Scientists need to analyze the results and extract useful data. The information obtained may verify or disprove their original hypothesis. In some cases, the results of the testing may require Research Scientists to repeat the same experiment, such as when the data provides inclusive results.

Write Research Papers and Reports

Research Scientists often write detailed reports and condensed summaries of their findings. When working in academia, the reports are often published for peer review by other Research Scientists. When working in private industries, the results may be supplied to other scientists within the same organization while the summaries are provided to executives and decision-makers.

Continue Your Education

Research Scientists need to stay up to date with the latest developments in their scientific fields, which often involves attending lectures or continuing education (CE) courses. Completing CE courses is also a requirement for some of the certifications commonly held by Research Scientists.

A typical day starts with going over the experimental planning of the day, and then starting the experiments or data analysis, studying, or writing scientific papers. There is some flexibility and some level of control over your day. However, all experiments are very time-consuming and require a constant level of attention to detail, keeping track of your timings, and great planning. Almost every task is time-consuming, from planning the experiments, to doing them, redoing them, analyzing the data, and so on. It is common to be doing more than one experiment at a time and so sometimes the juggling can go wrong.

In the laminar flow hood

My research is focused on studying the molecular mechanisms in the invasion process of breast and lung cancer. In research, we each focus on a very narrow subject, on a specific group or even just a single protein, and try to determine the impact it has on different cellular processes. This helps us find new diagnostic tools, new treatments and potentially even cures.

I, personally, work with different techniques, so there is no specific routine, which is something I enjoy. But for instances, a day could be, starting in the morning with taking care of orders necessary for my research and replying to emails. Then I would go to a laminar flow hood to work with my cell cultures, either to maintain them or to perform experiments on them. After the experiment is done, I could extract protein from my cells, then do protein quantification and prepare the samples to run on what we call gel electrophoresis or Western Blot.

After this experiment is done, I would block and incubate the resulting membranes to evaluate the next day. Other times the experiment could be to fixate my cells and incubate with specific antibodies to visualize using a confocal microscope. Or I could be cloning my cells with specific genes and then tracking their effect using live imaging or some biochemical assay. Other times I will be receiving training in either some specific equipment or technique or in overall topics specific to my fields through webinars and conferences.

Working overtime is also very common and when working with living disease models (cell cultures, mouse models) working the weekends is also normal.

It’s also busy, hard work, and a lot of stress due to the constant stream of deadlines but also rewarding and exciting when you finally get some nice results and definitely always a nice challenge. The great part of doing research is to satisfy curiosity and the challenge of figuring out how to get the answers you seek.

A real-time PCR machine StepOne Plus

Stimulating job, flexible schedule, the possibility of making a huge contribution to the advancement of medicine.

Long hours, high levels of mental stress, instability in career progression.

You Solve Scientific Problems

No matter the industry, Research Scientists are problem-solvers. They get to solve issues and find answers to problems, making it a rewarding career.

You Help Make Things Better

The research completed by Research Scientists may help improve products and processes, which can have a positive impact on the health of people, animals, and even the environment.

You Enjoy Independence

Research Scientists often work with other scientists. However, you also have a lot of freedom to pursue topics of research that interest you. This is especially true when working in academia.

You May Have Travel Opportunities

Depending on the industry, your work may take you to interesting locations to collect samples for experiments.

You Work Long Hours

Research Scientists often work long days, especially when trying to meet deadlines for experiments.

You May Encounter Unexpected Outcomes

Experiments do not always produce the results that you want, which can be frustrating after working on a long project.

Research Scientists either work in academia, industry, or government jobs. Common academic employers include colleges and universities. Government employers include various regulatory agencies. Industry jobs for Research Scientists are available at pharmaceutical companies, food companies, materials companies, manufacturers, chemical companies, and utility providers.

Step 1: Study Science in High School

As Research Scientists require knowledge of science, high school students should study science extensively. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and advanced placement (AP) science courses are all beneficial.

Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Research Scientists typically hold Bachelor’s degrees that are relevant to their chosen field, such as Pharmacology. Biology and Chemistry are also common majors.

Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree

Many employers require Research Scientists to hold at least a Master’s degree.

Step 4: Find Entry-Level Work

Most Research Scientists start as Laboratory Technicians or Research Assistants before gaining the experience needed for this career.

Step 5: Obtain Certifications

As you gain work experience, you may qualify to obtain various voluntary certifications such as the professional certifications for clinical research available through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Best personality type for this career

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here .

Successful Research Scientists are highly focused individuals as the complex experiments that they conduct require superior attention to detail. Research Scientists should also be patient as analyzing samples and running tests are time-consuming processes. Having good communication skills is also useful for ensuring that others follow your instructions and understand the results of your experiments.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

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What is a research scientist and how to become one

A research scientist conducts scientific experiments and research to discover new knowledge or improve existing theories. They work in various fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Research scientists conduct experiments, analyze data, and interpret findings to develop hypotheses and theories. They collaborate with other scientists to share knowledge and expertise, publish papers and articles, and present their research. Research scientists also contribute to the development of new technologies and applications that can benefit society.

How long does it takes to become a research scientist?

It typically takes 9-13 years to become a research scientist:

• Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering.
• Years 5-8: Pursuing a Doctorate degree in a relevant field, focusing on research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Years 9-10: Accumulating 2-4 years of work experience in a research setting, honing skills in experimental design, data collection, and interpretation.
• Years 11-13: Participating in on-site or on-the-job training programs to further develop research skills and gain familiarity with industry-specific tools and techniques.

Avg. Salary $89,998

Avg. Salary $59,228

Growth Rate 17 %

Growth Rate 0.3 %

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15 %

Asian 29.61 %

Black or African American 6.17 %

Hispanic or Latino 9.36 %

Unknown 4.04 %

White 50.67 %

female 37.55 %

male 62.45 %

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00 %

Asian 7.00 %

Black or African American 14.00 %

Hispanic or Latino 19.00 %

White 57.00 %

female 47.00 %

male 53.00 %

Stress level is manageable

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life balance is fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Research Scientist?

Opportunity to make significant contributions to scientific knowledge

Potential for high salary and job security

Possibility of travel to conferences and other research institutions

Personal and professional growth and development

Satisfaction of seeing your research translate into real-world applications

Long and irregular work hours, including nights and weekends

High competition for funding and positions

Pressure to publish and maintain productivity

Limited opportunities for upward mobility or promotion within academia

High levels of stress and pressure to meet deadlines and expectations

Research Scientist career paths

Research scientists often move into roles like consultant, supervisor, quality assurance manager, or quality assurance director. They can also advance to senior scientist, research and development manager, or research and development director. Some may even move into academia, becoming professors or researchers. In certain fields, they may become laboratory managers or quality control managers.

Key steps to become a research scientist

Explore research scientist education requirements.

The educational requirements for a research scientist typically involve a doctorate degree, with 60.61% of research scientists holding this degree. However, a master's degree is also common, with 31.44% of research scientists holding this level of education. In terms of majors, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, physics, and chemical engineering are popular choices. According to Dr. Richard Knight , Teaching Professor, Associate Department Head, and Undergraduate Advisor at Drexel University's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, "A significant number of MSE majors do, however, pursue a broad range of minors in addition to their MSE major. Popular minors include Chemistry, Business, Nuclear Engineering, and other Engineering disciplines."

Most common research scientist degrees

Bachelor's

Master's

Start to develop specific research scientist skills

A research scientist's skills are highly varied, but some of the most important include developing medical devices, analyzing software and hardware, managing laboratory equipment, and conducting statistical analyses. As Dr. Shiri Noy , Assistant Professor at Denison University, notes, "Knowing how to collect, systematize, and analyze data...is something that is very appealing to employers."

Complete relevant research scientist training and internships

Research research scientist duties and responsibilities.

A research scientist conducts experiments, develops methods, and analyzes data to support research projects in various therapeutic areas. They also create calculations, technical reports, proposals, and quality assurance procedures. As Sharon Deem DVM, PhD, Director of Saint Louis zoo institute for Conservation Medicine, Adjunct professor at WUSTL, suggests, "pursue study, and ultimately a career, in a topic, or topics, for which you are interested."

• Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
• Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
• Used real-time PCR and DNA sequencing to troubleshoot and validate SNP base and gene expression assays.
• Prepare clear technical presentations to NIH department heads in annual seminars.

Prepare your research scientist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your research scientist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a research scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Research Scientist Resume templates

Apply for research scientist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a research scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Research Scientist Job

Are you a Research Scientist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average research scientist salary

The average Research Scientist salary in the United States is $89,998 per year or $43 per hour. Research scientist salaries range between $58,000 and $137,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do research scientists rate their job?

Based On 1 Ratings

Research Scientist reviews

Exploring more about reseaching field by building knowledge in a certain subject of research and growing the wisdom and knowledge.

The struggle of not breaking a certain research topic.

It's all about getting data, follow up on project, ensuring that jobs are done properly, write reports after a project is done. You travel if the job or project you're handling is out station.

Nothing really, it's just that sometimes getting data can be very difficult

What I like is that,you get to interact with different people from various communities.Relationships are formed in the process

Research Scientist FAQs

Do you need a ph.d. to be a research scientist, how long does it take to become a research scientist, what degree do you need to become a researcher, what does a research scientist do daily, search for research scientist jobs, research scientist jobs by state.

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Updated June 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Research Scientist Related Careers

• Assistant Research Scientist
• Associate Scientist
• Graduate Research Student
• Postdoctoral Associate
• Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Research And Development Scientist
• Research Associate
• Research Chemist
• Research Fellow
• Research Internship
• Research Laboratory Technician
• Research Specialist
• Research Technician

Research Scientist Related Jobs

• Assistant Research Scientist Jobs
• Associate Scientist Jobs
• Chemist Jobs
• Graduate Research Student Jobs
• Postdoctoral Associate Jobs
• Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs
• Research And Development Scientist Jobs
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Table of Contents

What does a research scientist do, how to become a research scientist, importance of research scientists, skills required for research scientists, types of research scientists, average research scientist salary, career opportunities for research scientists, future of research scientists, your guide to becoming a successful research scientist 2024.

Becoming a research scientist is quite the dream role for many individuals passionate about discovering new things and pushing the boundaries of what is known. They’ve also become essential in advancing science, technology, and our understanding of the world.

If you’re wondering, “How can I become a research scientist?”, this guide will explain what a research scientist does, how to become a research scientist, their importance, the skills required, the different types of research scientists, their average salary, career opportunities, and the future of this exciting field.

In summary, research scientists conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop new theories or products. Their work is often performed in laboratories through fieldwork and theoretical research. They specialize in specific study areas, mainly biology, chemistry, physics, environmental and climate, or social sciences. They design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, publish their findings in journals, and present their work at conferences. They often also collaborate with other scientists, engineers, and professionals to solve complex problems.

Tasks can vary greatly depending on the researcher's field and specific role in terms of day-to-day responsibilities. For instance, a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry might spend their day developing new medications, conducting trials, and ensuring regulatory compliance. On the other hand, an environmental scientist analyzing the climate conditions might be out in the field collecting samples and data and developing conservation plans for climate change. Despite these differences, all research scientists share a common goal: expanding human knowledge to solve real-world problems.

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The Educational Route:

• Bachelor's Degree: One of the first major steps in how to become a research scientist typically begins with earning a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. This foundational step usually takes about four years and provides essential knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, or psychology. Students should focus on building a solid foundation in their chosen field and seek research opportunities, such as working in a laboratory or completing a research project.
• Master's Degree: While not always required, a master's degree can provide additional specialization and research experience. It typically takes one or two years to complete and can benefit those looking to gain more in-depth knowledge or pivot to a slightly different area of expertise.
• Ph.D. or Doctorate: Most research scientist positions, especially in academia and high-level industry roles, require a Ph.D. This involves several years of intensive study, original research, and a dissertation. The duration can vary, but it usually takes four to six years after a bachelor's degree. During this time, students are expected to contribute original research to their field, often resulting in publications in scientific journals.
• Postdoctoral Research: Many research scientists engage in postdoctoral research to gain further experience and expertise in their field. This can last anywhere from one to three years or more. Postdoctoral positions provide an opportunity to work closely with established researchers, develop a more specialized skill set, and build a professional network.

Practical Experience:

• Internships and Research Assistantships: Gaining practical experience through internships or as a research assistant during your studies can help. This experience helps develop hands-on skills and provides valuable networking opportunities. These initiatives can provide insights into the daily responsibilities of a research scientist and help build a professional network.
• Publications and Conferences: Publishing research findings and presenting at scientific conferences are essential for building a reputation in the scientific community. Engaging with the broader scientific community through publications and conferences can lead to collaborations, job offers, and funding opportunities.

Certifications and Licenses:

Depending on your field, obtaining specific certifications or licenses may be necessary. For example, clinical research scientists may need particular certifications to conduct medical research. Additionally, certifications in specialized techniques or methodologies can enhance your qualifications and career prospects.

Research scientists are the backbone of scientific advancement. Their work leads to discoveries and innovations that can profoundly impact society. For instance, medical research scientists develop new treatments and vaccines, environmental scientists study climate change and its effects, and computer scientists analyze new technologies to develop programming theories to enhance processes.

The importance of research scientists extends beyond the lab. Their work informs policy decisions, drives technological innovation, and contributes to economic growth. For example, research in renewable energy technologies helps combat climate change and creates new industries and job opportunities. In healthcare, research scientists develop new treatments and technologies that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Being a successful research scientist requires a combination of technical skills and soft skills. Here are some essential skills:

Technical Skills:

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex data and interpret results accurately. This includes proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization tools .
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise using scientific equipment, software, and methodologies specific to your field. Familiarity with advanced technologies and techniques, such as molecular biology methods or computational modeling, can be crucial.
• Statistical Analysis: Knowledge of statistical methods to evaluate research data. This includes understanding experimental design, data collection, and the application of statistical tests.

Soft Skills:

• Critical Thinking: The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively. Research scientists must be able to develop hypotheses, design experiments, and troubleshoot issues that arise during their work.
• Effective Communication: Bearing strong written and verbal communication skills for publishing papers and presenting findings. Communicating complex scientific concepts to a non-expert audience is also essential, particularly when applying for funding or presenting to stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: Precision and accuracy are essential in experiments and data analysis . Even small errors can result in major discrepancies in research outcomes.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with other scientists and professionals. Research is often collaborative, and strong interpersonal skills are essential for working in multidisciplinary teams.
• Time Management: Managing time efficiently to balance multiple research projects and deadlines. Effective time management skills are crucial for meeting grant deadlines, publishing schedules, and completing experiments.

When assessing how to become research scientist, it’s good to understand that the types can be categorized into various types based on their fields of study. Here are some common types:

• Biological Scientists: They focus on understanding living organisms, their functions, and interactions. This category includes microbiologists, geneticists, and ecologists. Their work can lead to advancements in medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
• Physical Scientists: They explore the fundamental principles of the physical universe. This category typically includes physicists and astronomers. Their discoveries can lead to new technologies like quantum computing and advanced materials.
• Environmental Scientists: They investigate environmental issues such as pollution, climate change, and natural resource management. Their work is critical for developing sustainable practices and policies to protect the planet.
• Medical Scientists: They conduct research to improve human health. This includes epidemiologists, pharmacologists, and biomedical scientists. Their research can often lead to discovering new treatments, vaccines, and medical devices.
• Social Scientists: They study human behavior, societies, and social relationships. This includes psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists. Their insights can inform public policy, education, and community development initiatives.

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Research scientists enjoy competitive salaries that reflect their expertise and contributions to their fields. According to Payscale, the average salary for a research scientist in the United States is approximately $87,800 annually. This figure can vary based on factors such as industry, location, level of education, and years of experience.

The career opportunities for research scientists are vast and varied. When deciding how to become a research scientist, it’s important to understand their scope of work which includes:

• Academia: Research scientists in academia typically work at universities or colleges, where they conduct research, teach, and mentor students. These positions often involve securing grant funding for research projects. Academic positions also provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and access to cutting-edge research facilities.
• Industries: Many research scientists work in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, energy, and manufacturing. They develop new products, improve existing ones, and ensure quality control . Industry roles often offer competitive salaries and the opportunity to work on applied research projects with immediate practical applications.
• Government Institutes: Research scientists can work for government agencies, conducting research that informs public policy and regulatory decisions. Examples include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Government roles provide stability and the chance to contribute to public health and safety initiatives.
• Nonprofit Organizations: Some research scientists work for nonprofit organizations focused on specific issues, such as environmental conservation, public health, or social justice. These positions can be highly fulfilling, allowing scientists to align their work with their values and contribute to meaningful causes.
• Private Research Institutes: These institutes often focus on specialized research areas and may collaborate with academia, industry, and government entities. Working at a private research institute can provide access to unique resources and the opportunity to work on innovative projects.

The future for research scientists looks promising, driven by technological advancements and increasing global challenges that require innovative solutions. Here are some trends shaping the future of this profession:

• Interdisciplinary Research: The complexity of modern problems often requires collaboration across different scientific disciplines. Interdisciplinary research is becoming more common, leading to impossible breakthroughs within a single field. For example, combining insights from biology, chemistry, and computer science can accelerate the development of new medicines.
• Big Data and AI: The ability to analyze large datasets using artificial intelligence and machine learning transforms how research is conducted. These technologies enable researchers to uncover patterns and insights that were previously unattainable. For instance, AI can help predict climate change impacts with greater accuracy. If you want to leverage data science’s power, you could enroll in a top course here .
• Environmental Sustainability: With growing concerns about climate change and environmental degradation, research scientists are focusing on sustainable solutions. This includes developing renewable energy sources, improving waste management, and conserving biodiversity. Research in these areas is critical for achieving long-term environmental sustainability and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
• Global Health Initiatives: Research scientists are crucial in addressing global health issues, from combating infectious diseases to improving healthcare delivery in underserved regions. Collaborative international research efforts are essential for tackling global health challenges and ensuring equitable access to healthcare advancements.

When considering how to become a research scientist or how long does it take to become a research scientist, it’s important to factor in the required dedication, hard work, and passion to recognize scientific research's importance and training, but the rewards are significant. Research scientists contribute critically to our understanding of the world and help solve some of humanity's most pressing challenges. With a wide range of career opportunities and a bright future, now is an excellent time to pursue a career as a research scientist.

By understanding the educational requirements, developing essential skills, and staying informed about industry trends, you can position yourself for success in this dynamic and rewarding field. Considering greater emphasis on AI and data science, it’s best to take up Simplilearn's Data Scientist Course , which enhances your expertise in in-demand skills while diving deep into nuances like interpretation, generative AI and programming to elevate your career. The future of research science is full of possibilities, and with the proper preparation and dedication, you can be at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation.

1. What does it take to be a research scientist?

Becoming a research scientist requires a strong foundation in scientific principles, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You must be dedicated, curious, and persistent, as research often involves complex and time-consuming projects. Practical experience through internships and excellent communication skills for publishing and presenting findings are also crucial.

2. What educational background is required to become a research scientist?

To become a research scientist, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline. However, most research scientist positions require advanced degrees. A master’s degree can be beneficial, but a Ph.D. is often essential, especially for roles in academia or high-level industry positions. Postdoctoral research experience is also highly valued.

3. Can research scientists work in interdisciplinary fields?

Yes, research scientists can work in interdisciplinary fields. Modern scientific challenges often require knowledge and techniques from multiple disciplines. Interdisciplinary research allows scientists to collaborate across different fields, leading to innovative solutions and impossible discoveries within a single discipline.

4. How do research scientists secure funding for their projects?

Research scientists secure funding through various sources, including government grants, private foundations, and academic institutions. The process typically involves writing detailed grant proposals that outline the project's research objectives, methodology, and potential impact. Successful grant proposals demonstrate the significance of the research, the researchers' qualifications, and the project's feasibility.

5. What are the common challenges faced by research scientists?

Research scientists face several challenges, including securing funding, which is highly competitive and time-consuming. They also deal with the pressure to publish results in prestigious journals and the need to stay current with rapid advancements in their field. Additionally, balancing administrative duties with research activities and managing complex projects with uncertain outcomes can be demanding. Effective time management and resilience are essential to overcome these challenges.

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Research Scientist Titles and Descriptions

(revised 3/30/2012)

The following titles are used for research scientist appointments:

• Research Scientist
• Senior Research Scientist
• Principal Research Scientist

Please refer to the grid “Non-faculty Research Titles” (PDF)  for detailed descriptions of the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of each research scientist rank. When considering a research scientist appointment, particular attention should be paid to the distinction between research associates and research scientists. The grid also includes guidelines on when to promote within the track.

Research scientists who are making significant contributions to two Harvard Chan School departments may be appointed in both departments, with the agreement of the two department chairs and the research scientist.  In this case, one department is designated as the primary affiliation and is responsible, as appropriate and relevant, for appointment and research administration, evaluation and career development, and any financial and space arrangements agreed to at the time of appointment or subsequently.

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• 30 August 2024

Researchers built an ‘AI Scientist’ — what can it do?

• Davide Castelvecchi

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Credit: Moor Studio/Getty

Could science be fully automated? A team of machine-learning researchers has now tried.

‘AI Scientist’, created by a team at Tokyo company Sakana AI and at academic labs in Canada and the United Kingdom, performs the full cycle of research from reading the existing literature on a problem and formulating hypothesis for new developments to trying out solutions and writing a paper. AI Scientist even does some of the job of peer reviewers and evaluates its own results.

AI Scientist joins a slew of efforts to create AI agents that have automated at least parts of the scientific process. “To my knowledge, no one has yet done the total scientific community, all in one system,” says AI Scientist co-creator Cong Lu, a machine-learning researcher at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. The results 1 were posted on the arXiv preprint server this month.

“It’s impressive that they’ve done this end-to-end,” says Jevin West, a computational social scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle. “And I think we should be playing around with these ideas, because there could be potential for helping science.”

The output is not earth-shattering so far, and the system can only do research in the field of machine learning itself. In particular, AI Scientist is lacking what most scientists would consider the crucial part of doing science — the ability to do laboratory work . “There’s still a lot of work to go from AI that makes a hypothesis to implementing that in a robot scientist,” says Gerbrand Ceder, a materials scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. Still, Ceder adds, “If you look into the future, I have zero doubt in mind that this is where much of science will go.”

Automated experiments

AI Scientist is based on a large language model (LLM). Using a paper that describes a machine learning algorithm as template, it starts from searching the literature for similar work. The team then employed the technique called evolutionary computation, which is inspired by the mutations and natural selection of Darwinian evolution. It proceeds in steps, applying small, random changes to an algorithm and selecting the ones that provide an improvement in efficiency.

To do so, AI Scientist conducts its own ‘experiments’ by running the algorithms and measuring how they perform. At the end, it produces a paper, and evaluates it in a sort of automated peer review. After ‘augmenting the literature’ this way, the algorithm can then start the cycle again, building on its own results.

The authors admit that the papers AI Scientists produced contained only incremental developments. Some other researchers were scathing in their comments on social media. “As an editor of a journal, I would likely desk-reject them. As a reviewer, I would reject them,” said one commenter on the website Hacker News.

West also says that the authors took a reductive view of how researchers learn about the current state of their field. A lot of what they know comes from other forms of communication, such as going to conferences or chatting to colleagues at the water cooler. “Science is more than a pile of papers,” says West. “You can have a 5-minute conversation that will be better than a 5-hour study of the literature.”

West’s colleague Shahan Memon agrees — but both West and Memon praise the authors for having made their code and results fully open. This has enabled them to analyze the AI Scientist’s results. They’ve found, for example, that it has a “popularity bias” in the choice of earlier papers it lists as references, skirting towards those with high citation counts. Memon and West say they are also looking into measuring whether AI Scientist’s choices were the most relevant ones.

Repetitive tasks

AI Scientist is, of course, not the first attempt at automating at least various parts of the job of a researcher: the dream of automating scientific discovery is as old as artificial intelligence itself — dating back to the 1950s, says Tom Hope, a computer scientist at the Allen Institute for AI based in Jerusalem. Already a decade ago, for example, the Automatic Statistician 2 was able to analyse sets of data and write up its own papers. And Ceder and his colleagues have even automated some bench work: the ‘ robot chemist ’ they unveiled last year can synthesize new materials and experiment with them 3 .

Hope says that current LLMs “are not able to formulate novel and useful scientific directions beyond basic superficial combinations of buzzwords”. Still, Ceder says that even if AI won’t able to do the more creative part of the work any time soon, it could still automate a lot of the more repetitive aspects of research. “At the low level, you’re trying to analyse what something is, how something responds. That’s not the creative part of science, but it’s 90% of what we do.” Lu says he got a similar feedback from a lot of other researchers, too. “People will say, I have 100 ideas that I don’t have time for. Get the AI Scientist to do those.”

Lu says that to broaden AI Scientist’s capabilities — even to abstract fields beyond machine learning, such as pure mathematics — it might need to include other techniques beyond language models. Recent results on solving maths problems by Google Deep Mind, for example, have shown the power of combining LLMs with techniques of ‘symbolic’ AI, which build logical rules into a system rather than merely relying on it learning from statistical patterns in data. But the current iteration is but a start, he says. “We really believe this is the GPT-1 of AI science,” he says, referring to an early large language model by OpenAI in San Francisco, California.

The results feed into a debate that is at the top of many researchers’ concerns these days, says West. “All my colleagues in different sciences are trying to figure out, where does AI fit in in what we do? It does force us to think what is science in the twenty-first century — what it could be, what it is, what it is not,” he says.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02842-3

Lu, C., Lu, C., Lange, R. T., Foerster, J., Clune, J. & Ha, D. Preprint at arXiv https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.06292 (2024).

Ghahramani, Z. Nature 521 , 452–459 (2015).

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Szymanski, N. J. et al. Nature 624 , 86–91 (2023).

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How to become an environmental consultant

What does an environmental consultant do?

Environmental consultancy is a field of work that focuses on using up-to-date knowledge and research in environmental sciences to advise on environmental issues. 

There are several types of environmental consultants, depending on their area of work. These include those dealing with air , land and water quality consulting, waste management and recycling , environmental policy consulting or even work with renewable energy.

You will carry out different tasks depending on which of these fields you work in, but all environmental consultants share the broad aim of helping to protect the natural environment and minimise environmental damage.

Environmental consultants can conduct their work in a variety of different ways. For example, air or water pollution consultants/surveyors will spend time in the field surveying and auditing, and subsequently carrying out data analysis .

Meanwhile, others might directly advise businesses and other organisations on their energy usage, their management of waste and recycling responsibilities or on wildlife conservation. 

Environmental consultancy thus offers a wide range of directions your career can take, as well as a large variety of working environments and responsibilities.

To become an environmental consultant, the minimum you need is an honours degree in a relevant degree subject. Such subjects include:

• Environmental and earth science
• Environmental management
• Environmental or geoenvironmental engineering
• Geology or geophysics
• Hydrogeology
• Sustainability and environmental management
• Other subjects relevant to climate change or environmental sciences

During your degree, if you develop a preference for which field you would like to work in, it can be beneficial for your future career to choose a relevant dissertation topic.

There is also the option of undertaking a degree apprenticeship to become an environmental practitioner. While a degree apprenticeship is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree qualification, the scope of the apprenticeship often isn’t the same.

Entry into the profession at a consultancy position with an apprenticeship degree only is quite unlikely, and you may need to gain extra work-based experience or additional qualifications to apply for environmental consultant jobs.

It is generally recommended to obtain a work-based placement in environmental consultancy during your studies. This is useful to develop skills and competencies within the job, as well as to build contacts and establish a network in the field. 

Some universities may offer courses that have a built-in placement year or semester, while others may help to organise summer internships. In some cases, students may need to organise their own placements.

Additionally, students can enrol in graduate schemes offered by different companies, which will provide on-the-job training and education and will often result in full-time employment after a training period.

Many applicants for environmental consultancy positions have a relevant postgraduate classification in addition to their undergraduate degree, although this isn’t always required.

Once you become an environmental consultant, you have the option of obtaining a chartered environmentalist (CEnv) qualification (UK). This confirms your expertise in the field of environmental science and consultancy. 

To obtain your CEnv, you must be registered with a professional body licensed by the Society for the Environment (SocEnv), for example the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). You will then go through an application process, including a written application and an interview. 

If your application is accepted, you will need to sign the SocEnv’s code of professional conduct and agree to undertake and evidence continuing professional development throughout your future career.

How long does it take to become an environmental consultant?

The time it takes to become an environmental consultant will depend on your chosen route.

If you opt for undergraduate education only, this will take three to four years depending on where you complete your degree. If you are studying in England, a bachelor’s degree takes three years, while in Scotland most degree programmes are four years long.

There may also be the option of undertaking a foundation year prior to starting your undergraduate degree, for instance if the qualifications you have aren’t satisfactory to start the course directly.

Within your undergraduate studies, you should aim to spend some time doing work experience. This may be built into some curriculums, while you may need to organise your own in some degree programmes.

If you choose to do a master’s degree on top of your undergraduate education, this can add one to two years to your studies depending on where you do it. If you opt for a PhD, this will take an additional three to five years to obtain, but most PhD candidates receive a salary.

If you choose the apprenticeship route, this will take three to six years to complete depending on the apprenticeship and achievement level you choose. On top of this, you are likely to need to undertake additional training and gain further qualifications to get a consultancy position later on.

A day in the life of an environmental consultant

Most environmental consultants work 9am to 5pm, so around 40 hours a week. It is unlikely that there will be a regular requirement to work antisocial hours or for on-call commitment, although the hours may sometimes be irregular, for instance if completing a field study.

Environmental consultants spend most of their time working in an office, although some proportion of their time may involve visiting clients. Some environmental consultants may also spend time in the field, conducting surveys and assessments, or making sure construction sites comply with policies etc.

Since some time may be spent out of your workplace to speak with clients or work in the field, you might have to travel between sites. As a result, some jobs require a full driving licence.

The work will generally be quite varied and will depend on what field you work in, the projects you are involved with and what stages those projects are at. Some of the things you may do include:

• Ensuring client companies are compliant with environmental regulations
• Managing legislation for clients and stakeholders
• Conducting field surveys and analysing the results
• Interpreting survey data and writing reports
• Communicating with clients and stakeholders

Within any of these jobs, you will need to make use of the communication, team-working and problem-solving skills you acquired during your studies and work experience, as well as the knowledge acquired in your training.

E nvironmental consultant: career options

There are a wide variety of subspecialties within environmental consultancy, allowing for a large amount of choice in what you would like to do. Some of the areas you could work in include:

• Air, land and water pollution/contamination control
• Recycling and waste management
• Climate change and emissions management
• Sustainability and conservation
• Sustainable development
• Regulatory compliance
• Environmental policy
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and flood risk
• Environmental management systems
• Renewable energy opportunities

These will come with different tasks and responsibilities, and if you think you might be particularly interested in one of these areas it is always good to try and gain some work-based experience. 

Some environmental consultants, such as air/water/land contamination consultants or ecologists, might spend a larger proportion of their time in the field. 

Roles such as environmental impact assessment or risk consultants will involve a lot of risk assessment and may thus also involve more fieldwork. Other specialties where fieldwork may be more frequent are sustainability, ecology and wildlife conservation. 

Meanwhile fields such as environmental policy and environmental management systems will require a lot of work on writing policies and strategies, planning projects, creating environmental management systems and supervising clients’ adherence to these. In these fields, you will often need to develop a baseline knowledge of law.

Others, such as climate change and emission managers, will spend time figuring out green solutions for large companies or smaller businesses. These can encompass a mixture of office work and fieldwork, depending on the specific role.

Based on your prior qualifications and what kind of work you prefer, you can decide which area to apply for jobs in.

You can also dedicate time to research , and become an environmental or climate scientist. Some environmental consultants decide to take their career in a more academic direction, undertaking more research and teaching commitments.

Salary: How much does an environmental consultant earn in the UK and the US?

A graduate salary for a training position in environmental consultancy in the UK starts at around £22,000 and can go up to around £25,000. Salaries for consultants with two to five years of experience can reach £35,000 per year, and for senior consultants with five to 10 years’ experience, this can go up to £45,000 or even £60,000 in more managerial positions.

In the US, a junior consultant will earn around $67,489 per year, while a more experienced consultant will get around $88,668. This can change depending on your employer and geographical location. 

There is scope to supplement this salary with freelance work or more managerial and leadership responsibilities. Salaries can also vary if you take extra teaching or research activities, or depending on whether you work for private firms, governmental organisations or NGOs.

• Morrisby. Career focus of the month: environmental consultant. Available from : https://www.morrisby.com/blog/career-focus-of-the-month-becoming-an-environmental-consultant (Accessed Jun 2024)
• GO Construct. Environmental advisor. Available from: https://www.goconstruct.org/construction-careers/what-jobs-are-right-for-me/environmental-advisor/#what-does (Accessed Jun 2024)
• My World of Work. Environmental consultant. Available from: https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/job-profiles/environmental-consultant (Accessed Jun 2024)
• Prospects uk. Environmental consultant. Available from: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/environmental-consultant#salary (Accessed Jun 2024)
• Planit. Environmental consultant. Available from: https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles/View/4/14 (Accessed Jun 2024)
• Career Explorer. What is an environmental consultant? Available from: https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/environmental-consultant/ (Accessed Jun 2024)
• Gov.uk. Environmental practitioner (degree) (level 6). Available from: https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/465 (Accessed Jun 2024)
• Society for the Environment. Chartered Environmentalist registration. Available from: https://socenv.org.uk/chartered-environmentalist/ (Accessed Jun 2024)
• Salary.com. Environmental consultant salary. Available from: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/environmental-consultant-salary (Accessed Jun 2024)

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Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in patients assigned male at birth worldwide. The average age at diagnosis is 66 years old. Prostate cancers is more likely to develop among those with African ancestry or a family history of the disease.

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Why Do Humans Have an Appendix?

Long believed to be purely vestigial, this troublesome organ may play an important role in gut and immune function..

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The appendix is a small, worm-like structure that, in humans at least, serves no obvious purpose beyond becoming inflamed and ruining someone’s day. In fact, this murderous little organ is responsible for more than 40,000 deaths per year. 1

Charles Darwin hypothesized that the appendix was an evolutionary relic leftover from humanity’s distant ancestors shifting from leaf-based to fruit-based diets. “But I don’t think the answer is that simple,” said Eytan Wine , a gastroenterologist at the University of Alberta.

One hypothesis, said Wine, is that the appendix functions as a “safe house” for beneficial microbes . “The appendix is a [blind-ended] organ, where microbes could escape different insults to the gut physiology such as infection, or antibiotics, or toxins,” he said. If some of these beneficial species get wiped out, survivors in the appendix could replace them, re-balancing the gut microbiome. “[The safe house hypothesis] is not all that well studied,” said Wine. “It’s certainly plausible and somewhat supported.”

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Yet people who have undergone appendectomies are often perfectly healthy. “To me, this [indicates that] maybe the importance is more in early life…immune development is a lifelong process, but the first few years of life—those are the critical times of immune education,” said Wine. Since most appendectomies are performed between ages 10 and 30, Wine speculates that by the time it is removed, the appendix may have already served its most important function.

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Domesticating horses had a huge impact on human society − new science rewrites where and when it first happened

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Across human history, no single animal has had a deeper impact on human societies than the horse. But when and how people domesticated horses has been an ongoing scientific mystery.

Half a million years ago or more, early human ancestors hunted horses with wooden spears, the very first weapons , and used their bones for early tools . During the late Paleolithic era, as far back as 30,000 years ago or more, ancient artists chose wild horses as their muse: Horses are the most commonly depicted animal in Eurasian cave art .

Following their first domestication, horses became the foundation of herding life in the grasslands of Inner Asia , and key leaps forward in technology such as the chariot , saddle and stirrup helped make horses the primary means of locomotion for travel, communication, agriculture and warfare across much of the ancient world. With the aid of ocean voyages, these animals eventually reached the shores of every major landmass – even Antarctica, briefly.

As they spread, horses reshaped ecology, social structures and economies at a never-before-seen scale. Ultimately, only industrial mechanization supplanted their near-universal role in society.

Because of their tremendous impact in shaping our collective human story, figuring out when, why and how horses became domesticated is a key step toward understanding the world we live in now.

Doing so has proven to be surprisingly challenging. In my new book, “ Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History ,” I draw together new archaeological evidence that is revising what scientists like me thought we knew about this story.

A horse domestication hypothesis

Over the years, almost every time and place on Earth has been suggested as a possible origin point for horse domestication, from Europe tens of thousands of years ago to places such as Saudi Arabia, Anatolia, China or even the Americas.

By far the most dominant model for horse domestication, though, has been the Indo-European hypothesis, also known as the “Kurgan hypothesis.” It argues that, sometime in the fourth millennium BCE or before, residents of the steppes of western Asia and the Black Sea known as the Yamnaya, who built large burial mounds called kurgans, hopped astride horses. The newfound mobility of these early riders, the story goes , helped catalyze huge migrations across the continent, distributing ancestral Indo-European languages and cultures across Eurasia.

But what’s the actual evidence supporting the Kurgan hypothesis for the first horse domestication? Many of the most important clues come from the bones and teeth of ancient animals, via a discipline known as archaeozoology . Over the past 20 years, archaeozoological data seemed to converge on the idea that horses were first domesticated in sites of the Botai culture in Kazakhstan, where scientists found large quantities of horse bones at sites dating to the fourth millennium BCE.

Other kinds of compelling circumstantial evidence started to pile up. Archaeologists discovered evidence of what looked like fence post holes that could have been part of ancient corrals. They also found ceramic fragments with fatty horse residues that, based on isotope measurements, seem to have been deposited in the summer months, a time when milk could be collected from domestic horses.

The scientific smoking gun for early horse domestication, though, was a set of changes found on some Botai horse teeth and jawbones. Like the teeth of many modern and ancient ridden horses, the Botai horse teeth appeared to have been worn down by a bridle mouthpiece, or bit.

Together, the data pointed strongly to the idea of horse domestication in northern Kazakhstan around 3500 BCE – not quite the Yamnaya homeland, but close enough geographically to keep the basic Kurgan hypothesis intact.

There were some aspects of the Botai story, though, that never quite lined up. From the outset, several studies showed that the mix of horse remains found at Botai were unlike those found in most later pastoral cultures: Botai is evenly split between male and female horses, mostly of a healthy reproductive age. Killing off healthy, breeding-age animals like this on a regular basis would devastate a breeding herd. But this demographic blend is common among animals that have been hunted. Some Botai horses even have projectile points embedded in their ribs, showing that they died through hunting rather than a controlled slaughter.

These unresolved loose ends loomed over a basic consensus linking the Botai culture to horse domestication.

New scientific tools raise more questions

In recent years, as archaeological and scientific tools have rapidly improved, key assumptions about the cultures of Botai, Yamnaya and the early chapters of the human-horse story have been overturned.

First, improved biomolecular tools show that whatever happened at Botai, it had little to do with the domestication of the horses that live today. In 2018, nuclear genomic sequencing revealed that Botai horses were not the ancestors of domestic horses but of Przewalski’s horse , a wild relative and denizen of the steppe that has never been domesticated, at least in recorded history.

Next, when my colleagues and I reconsidered skeletal features linked to horse riding at Botai, we saw that similar issues are also visible in ice age wild horses from North America, which had certainly never been ridden. Even though horse riding can cause recognizable changes to the teeth and bones of the jaw, we argued that the small issues seen on Botai horses can reasonably be linked to natural variation or life history.

This finding reopened the question: Was there horse transport at Botai at all?

Leaving the Kurgan hypothesis in the past

Over the past few years, trying to make sense of the archaeological record around horse domestication has become an ever more contradictory affair.

For example, in 2023, archaeologists noted that human hip and leg skeletal problems found in Yamnaya and early eastern European burials looked a lot like problems found in mounted riders, consistent with the Kurgan hypothesis. But problems like these can be caused by other kinds of animal transport, including the cattle carts found in Yamnaya-era sites .

So how should archaeologists make sense of these conflicting signals?

A clearer picture may be closer than we think. A detailed genomic study of early Eurasian horses, published in June 2024 in the journal Nature , shows that Yamnaya horses were not ancestors of the first domestic horses, known as the DOM2 lineage. And Yamnaya horses showed no genetic evidence of close control over reproduction, such as changes linked with inbreeding.

Instead, the first DOM2 horses appear just before 2000 BCE, long after the Yamnaya migrations and just before the first burials of horses and chariots also show up in the archaeological record.

For now, all lines of evidence seem to converge on the idea that horse domestication probably did take place in the Black Sea steppes, but much later than the Kurgan hypothesis requires. Instead, human control of horses took off just prior to the explosive spread of horses and chariots across Eurasia during the early second millennium BCE.

There’s still more to be settled, of course. In the latest study, the authors point to some funny patterns in the Botai data, especially fluctuations in genetic estimates for generation time – essentially, how long it takes on average for a population of animals to produce offspring. Might these suggest that Botai people still raised those wild Przewalski’s horses in captivity, but only for meat, without a role in transportation? Perhaps. Future research will let us know for sure.

Either way, out of these conflicting signals, one consideration has become clear: The earliest chapters of the human-horse story are ready for a retelling.

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Scientists Identify Potential New Immune System Target to Head Off the Spread of Breast Cancer Cells

Which cells are the closest neighbors of #breastcancer cells that are likely to spread? A new study potentially identified a subset of #macrophages, or white blood cells, as the nearest neighbors. The findings raise the potential for a new biological target for #immunotherapy. ›

In a study using human breast cancer cells, scientists say they have potentially identified immune system white blood cells that appear to be the closest neighbors of breast cancer cells that are likely to spread. The researchers say the finding, focused on a white blood cell called a macrophage, may provide a new biological target for immunotherapies designed to destroy spreading cancer cells that are often markers for worsening disease.

A report on the findings was published online Aug. 20 in the journal Oncogene .

For the study, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center used special imaging techniques to see the organization of individual cells within tumors, and built on work by colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Giovanis Institute, whose previous work focused on identifying biomarkers on breast cancer cells that are likely to spread.

“One of the most exciting developments in cancer treatment is immunotherapy — drugs that help the immune system attack a tumor,” says Andrew Ewald, Ph.D. , professor and director of the Department of Cell Biology and director of the Johns Hopkins Giovanis Institute. But he notes, such immunotherapies so far work only for a subset of patients, a clear indication that more — and more specific — cellular targets must be identified to broaden the effectiveness of such therapies.

The researchers’ focus on immune system cells is logical, because such cells start their work by getting up close to cancer cells, says Ewald. Touches between cells start a kind of “handshake” process that lets immune cells such as macrophages identify a cell they encounter.

When those encounters occur, the immune system biologically “tags” some as “foreign” to the body and ripe for destruction, while leaving others alone. But one of the hallmarks of cancer cells is their ability to mask their identity and trick the immune system into leaving them alone to grow, change and spread.

In an effort to better determine which cells are closest to breast cancer cells, the Johns Hopkins scientists analyzed primary and metastatic breast cancer tissue samples from 24 people who died from breast cancer and who donated their tissues to Johns Hopkins researchers through a rapid autopsy program.

Kimmel Cancer Center oncologist and imaging expert Won Jin Ho, M.D. , used an imaging tool called mass cytometry to analyze and map cells in the tissue samples.

Other scientists have mapped cells in such tissues, but the Johns Hopkins researchers say their study focused not on what surrounds an average cancer cell, but what is closest to those cancer cells that are most likely to spread.

Hundreds of cells span the width of a single tissue sample. “When we analyze dissociated cells, it’s like looking at a smoothie of cells, all blended together, but with imaging, we get to see where all of the pieces are,” says Ho, an assistant professor of oncology and director of the Mass Cytometry Facility at Johns Hopkins.

Ewald and former postdoctoral fellow Eloïse Grasset, Ph.D., now at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, previously identified the biomarker signature common to breast cancer cells that are likely to spread , or metastasize.

The researchers used 36 of such biomarkers to pinpoint metastasis-initiating cells and other “signatures” to identify cells next to them — those that were up close (within about 10–20 microns), others about three to four cells out, and cells further away.

“What popped out at us, among immune system cells, was a subset of macrophages very close to or touching metastasis-initiating cells in the primary and metastatic tissue samples,” says Ho. The macrophage subsets are a minority — about 1%–5% — of the cells present in the tumor.

The research team confirmed the presence of key macrophage subsets in another set of more than 100 breast cancer samples from a tumor bank published in a previous study , showing that such distinct macrophage subtypes are, indeed, components of the breast cancer microenvironment.

A type of white blood cell, macrophages can swallow and destroy “foreign” cells on their own, but also can recruit other immune system cells to fight off cells they identify as foreign to the body. Ho says that other studies have shown that tumors with many macrophages may indicate a poorer prognosis and less response to immunotherapy.

“As discovery-based scientists, we’re looking for ways to change the immune system’s spatial organization in the microenvironment surrounding cancer cells,” says Ewald. “Eventually, we could develop biologic therapies to change how neighborhoods of cancer cells are organized.”

Other researchers involved in the study are Atul Deshpande, Jae Lee, Yeonju Cho, Sarah Shin, Erin Coyne, Alexei Hernandez, Xuan Yuan, Zhehao Zhang and Ashley Cimino-Mathews from Johns Hopkins.

The authors affiliated with Johns Hopkins University did not declare any conflicts of interest under Johns Hopkins University policies.