How do you get into R&D?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

To get into R&D, you'll need to have a passion for science, a formal education, and hands-on experience. Depending on the industry, many R&D positions require candidates to have a Ph.D., and this is especially true for academic positions. In other cases, a master's degree and internship experience are enough to land an entry-level position in R&D.

There are two main types of R&D positions: those in industry and those in academia. Whatever type of research and development you decide to go into, you'll need at least a master's degree, if not a doctorate degree, depending on the field. For example, a candidate with a master's may have an easier time landing a job in biomedical engineering than in chemistry.

After hitting the books, you'll want to look for opportunities to work in labs and apply for internships. It's important for prospective R&D professionals to learn how to apply their skills in a real-world scenario, as well as build experience for their resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

For candidates with a Ph.D., a doctorate fellowship is a great opportunity to continue gaining research and development experience before applying to your first job.