What does a principal research scientist do?
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
Principal research scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real principal research scientist resumes:
- Coordinate and lead participation in NMR scientific projects.
- Lead a team to develop Java modules to display protein sequences and structures.
- Manage the departmental DNA sequencing facility.
- Forge and manage collaborative relationships with DoD and academia.
- Manage stability coordination activities for market drug products in accordance to company and ICH guidelines.
- Manage pediatric dose development project, technology transfer project and alternate API supplier qualification project on budget and on schedule
- Participate in FDA and USDA inspections.
- Monitor MAO activity by UV spectroscopy with purify enzymes.
- Initiate work on small molecules binding to RNA to enable this platform.
- Python-Base prototyping, then porting to C++/C #for integration into the product.
- Develop a novel sandwich ELISA that unequivocally validate the company's lead diabetes compounds.
- Serve as the principal architect and technical lead to develop software utilizing C/C++ and Java.
- Develop unique process for removing highly toxic aromatic base used as solvent and reagent by extraction.
- Communicate with government program managers to follow up on grants and initiate the FDA accreditation process.
- Coordinate with cross-functional project teams such as process development, analytical departments, cGMP and QA.
Principal research scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Principal Research Scientists are proficient in Research Projects, Principal Research, and Data Analysis.
We break down the percentage of Principal Research Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Research Projects, 7%
Conducted independent research projects in neural network and artificial intelligence applications.
- Principal Research, 6%
Performed the principal research and analysis required to add new sensor readout types and materials.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Performed stability data analysis and provided shelf life recommendations.
- Project Management, 4%
Involved in a multifaceted project that involved coordinating technical and project management expertise overseas Accomplishments.
- Drug Discovery, 4%
Assisted with technologies and activities associated with Drug Discovery and Development from target identification through phase II clinical trials.
- Clinical Trials, 3%
Designed and interpreted results from general toxicology, safety pharmacology, and genetic toxicology studies in support of clinical trials.
"research projects," "principal research," and "data analysis" are among the most common skills that principal research scientists use at work. You can find even more principal research scientist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a principal research scientist to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Principal research scientists often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "account / project management requiring strong client communication skills through written, verbal and face-to-face meetings. "
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling principal research 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 principal research scientist resume, here's how principal research scientists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "assisted in complying with observations from fda inspections. "
The three companies that hire the most principal research scientists are:
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Compare different principal research scientists
Principal research scientist vs. Chemist
Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a principal research scientist are more likely to require skills like "research projects," "principal research," "project management," and "drug discovery." On the other hand, a job as a chemist requires skills like "chemistry," "lab equipment," "test results," and "sample preparation." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Chemists really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $75,495. Comparatively, principal research scientists tend to make the most money in the start-up industry with an average salary of $173,352.On average, chemists reach lower levels of education than principal research scientists. Chemists are 5.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 26.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Principal research scientist vs. Laboratory analyst
A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real principal research scientist resumes. While principal research scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "research projects," "principal research," "project management," and "drug discovery," laboratory analysts use skills like "test methods," "lab equipment," "lims," and "laboratory procedures."
Laboratory analysts earn a lower average salary than principal research scientists. But laboratory analysts earn the highest pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $47,806. Additionally, principal research scientists earn the highest salaries in the start-up with average pay of $173,352 annually.In general, laboratory analysts achieve lower levels of education than principal research scientists. They're 9.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 26.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for principal research scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Principal research scientist vs. Senior chemist
Senior Chemists are responsible for designing, developing, and testing formulations and compounds. They also maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and relevant documentation.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from principal research scientist resumes include skills like "research projects," "principal research," "project management," and "drug discovery," whereas a senior chemist is more likely to list skills in "laboratory equipment," "test methods," "chromatography," and "analytical procedures. "
Senior chemists earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $93,450. Comparatively, principal research scientists have the highest earning potential in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $173,352.When it comes to education, senior chemists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to principal research scientists. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 20.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Principal research scientist vs. Postdoctoral associate
A postdoctoral associate is responsible for researching to support scientific claims and theories by collecting evidence and information to answer scientific questions. Postdoctoral associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with people and document investigation findings. They also utilize laboratory tools and equipment for scientific researches, conduct field investigations, and interview participants. A postdoctoral associate designs comprehensive research models to discuss results with the panel and the team efficiently and accurately.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between principal research scientists and postdoctoral associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a principal research scientist might have more use for skills like "principal research," "project management," "drug discovery," and "clinical trials." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of postdoctoral associates require skills like "patients," "tip," "biomedical," and "crispr. "
Postdoctoral associates enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $53,445. For comparison, principal research scientists earn the highest salary in the start-up industry.In general, postdoctoral associates hold similar degree levels compared to principal research scientists. Postdoctoral associates are 2.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 18.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of principal research scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
