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

By Zippia Team - Feb. 10, 2022

No, you need a Ph.D. to be a principal scientist. At a minimum, you'll need a master's degree, but employers may require a doctorate in some cases. It largely comes down to the industry and the amount of hands-on experience you have.

Most principal scientists have a master of science or Ph.D. In many cases, employers will prefer a candidate with a Ph.D. While working as a principal scientist with only a bachelor's degree is theoretically possible, you need at least 12 to 15 years of relevant experience.

Consistent with this, a prospective principal scientist with a master's degree will need to have between 8 to 12 years of experience. In contrast, someone with a Ph.D. may need only 6 to 8 years of experience.

After earning your bachelor's degree, one of the most accessible ways of entering the field is finding a job as a research assistant, research associate, or laboratory technician. These junior roles can give you the practical laboratory experience required for higher research roles and prepare you for a career in the field.

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

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