What does a medical scientist do?
Medical scientists are medical professionals who conduct research by using clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach findings that will improve overall human health. These scientists must design and conduct studies that investigate human diseases while discovering methods to prevent and treat them. They must standardize the potency and doses of drugs so that they can mass-produce and distribute them and medicinal compounds to the public. Medical scientists must also partner with health departments, industry personnel, and physicians to develop programs that improve health outcomes.
Medical scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real medical scientist resumes:
- Manage clinical monitors in successful completion of large international hypertension study.
- Conduct technology comparison study to assess applicability of a wide range of chromatography products to support specific HTS assays.
- Analyze parallel synthesis libraries using high-throughput LC/MS methods with UV/ELS detection including mass determination, purity evaluation, and quantification.
Medical scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Medical Scientists are proficient in Clinical Trials, Regulatory Submissions, and Advisory Boards.
We break down the percentage of Medical Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Clinical Trials, 19%
Provide and discuss information relating to key scientific investigations and clinical trials
- Regulatory Submissions, 7%
Prepared clinical study reports for regulatory submissions.
- Advisory Boards, 7%
Collaborated on Advisory Boards and Speaker Training Programs.
- Risk Management, 7%
Acted as a resource safety staff for medical device teams and conducted collaborative risk management assessment for multiple devices.
- External Stakeholders, 7%
Provide information in line with written and signed Standing Requests from external stakeholders (e.g.
- Medical Writing, 6%
contracted by On Assignment to do medical writing projects for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Most medical scientists use their skills in "clinical trials," "regulatory submissions," and "advisory boards" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential medical scientist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a medical scientist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a medical scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "support the project physicians in the analysis, communication, management and presentation of potential safety signals from clinical trials. "
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling medical scientist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." According to a medical scientist resume, here's how medical scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "performed an evaluation of the cam simulations by the comparisons with observational data involving extensive data analysis. "
The three companies that hire the most medical scientists are:
- Johnson & Johnson17 medical scientists jobs
- Gilead Sciences4 medical scientists jobs
- Amgen2 medical scientists jobs
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Compare different medical scientists
Medical scientist vs. Research laboratory manager
Research laboratory managers are management professionals who are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of laboratories by implementing safety lab procedures. These managers are required to coordinate the repair and maintenance of lab equipment while training lab technicians and assistants on the correct use of equipment. They must perform experimental studies and analyze the research data collected for research projects. Research laboratory managers must also manage the inventory of laboratory equipment while coordinating the purchase of lab supplies.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between medical scientists and research laboratory manager. For instance, medical scientist responsibilities require skills such as "internal stakeholders," "regulatory submissions," "advisory boards," and "risk management." Whereas a research laboratory manager is skilled in "lab equipment," "research projects," "lab safety," and "cell culture." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Research laboratory managers really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $70,475. Comparatively, medical scientists tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $97,664.On average, research laboratory managers reach higher levels of education than medical scientists. Research laboratory managers are 6.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 17.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Medical scientist vs. Laboratory researcher
Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that medical scientist responsibilities requires skills like "clinical trials," "internal stakeholders," "regulatory submissions," and "advisory boards." But a laboratory researcher might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab procedures," "cell culture," "molecular biology," and "chemistry."
On average, laboratory researchers earn a lower salary than medical scientists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, laboratory researchers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $30,412. Whereas medical scientists have higher pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $97,664.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Laboratory researchers tend to reach similar levels of education than medical scientists. In fact, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 17.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Medical scientist vs. Fellow
A fellow's responsibility will depend on the organization or industry where one belongs. However, most of the time, a fellow's duty will revolve around conducting research and analysis, presiding discussions and attending dialogues, handle lectures while complying with the guidelines or tasks set by supervisors, and assist in various projects and activities. Furthermore, a fellow must adhere to the institution or organization's policies and regulations at all times, meet all the requirements and outputs involved, and coordinate with every person in the workforce.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, medical scientists are more likely to have skills like "clinical trials," "internal stakeholders," "regulatory submissions," and "advisory boards." But a fellow is more likely to have skills like "patients," "professional development," "veterans," and "mathematics."
Fellows make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $67,978. On the other hand, medical scientists are paid the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry, with average annual pay of $97,664.Most fellows achieve a similar degree level compared to medical scientists. For example, they're 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 11.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Medical scientist vs. Research fellow
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
Types of medical scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
