What does a product development scientist do?
A product development scientist is responsible for conducting in-depth scientific research and method analysis to develop medical technologies, medications, and foods, depending on the industry. Product development scientists may also perform enhancements on existing products by studying its components and improve its features. They evaluate the manufacturing processes of a product, providing recommendations on additional resources to generate revenues and profits. A product development scientist often works in a laboratory, requiring them to follow strict safety protocols and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of the area to prevent contamination and result inconsistencies.
Product development scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real product development scientist resumes:
- Coordinate instrument calibration, lead GMP & GLP processes.
- Manage assigned projects within GMP pilot plant to develop the manufacturing process of oral solid dosage forms.
- Lead all risk analysis and FDA notification documentation.
- Train and supervise technicians & QC analysts as necessary to execute project to completion.
- Establish formal protocols and effective QC methods for reagents from raw materials to the finished product.
- Validate LIMS software functionality by performing advance computer simulations and trial testing runs to ensure new releases meet ISO standards.
- Generate nutritional labels according to FDA guidelines.
- Complete requirements gathering and development on JAVA program incorporating natural language processing.
- Assist and design experiments involve in the synthesis and characterization of novel polymers.
- Optimize synthesis of multiple materials for industrial scale-up and implement procedures, testing methods and specifications for large scale production.
- Perform a CMO search to evaluate and identify a qualify CMO for the clinical manufacture of ADCs.
- Develop optical system/technique for optical visualization and otherwise characterizing traveling ring vortex and relate fluid phenomena in air.
Product development scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Product Development Scientists are proficient in Chemistry, Project Management, and Data Analysis.
We break down the percentage of Product Development Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Chemistry, 12%
Developed and validated HPLC/Wet Chemistry methods supporting color cosmetic and OTC skincare products.
- Project Management, 6%
Provide project management for New Product Development.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Performed software verification for a data analysis tool designed for internal users.
- FDA, 4%
Led all risk analysis and FDA notification documentation.
- Experimental Design, 4%
Provided technical support and experimental design advice to academic and industry customers.
- GMP, 4%
Set up the GMP cell banking system and laboratory from an existing R&D facility.
"chemistry," "project management," and "data analysis" are among the most common skills that product development scientists use at work. You can find even more product development scientist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a product development scientist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what product development scientists do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a product development scientist resume shows how product development scientists use communication skills: "participated in method transfers of new products with akzo nobel served as qc representative on employee communication committee"
Observation skills. Many product development scientist duties rely on observation skills. "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data.," so a product development scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways product development scientist responsibilities rely on observation skills: "record experiments and observations in a laboratory notebook following glp and/or gmp and departmental sops. "
The three companies that hire the most product development scientists are:
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Compare different product development scientists
Product development scientist vs. Quality control analyst
Quality assurance representatives are professionals who are responsible for ensuring the quality of units produced or manufactured is following the standards set by the industry. These representatives supervise the entire production process to identify erroneous methods or tools being used by workers and observing produced for visible defects. They are required to perform various tests to check for the durability of the product and other desirable characteristics. Quality assurance representatives must also collaborate with the manufacturing engineer to implement quality control programs and preparing training manuals and quality guidelines.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between product development scientists and quality control analyst. For instance, product development scientist responsibilities require skills such as "chemistry," "project management," "experimental design," and "gmp." Whereas a quality control analyst is skilled in "lab equipment," "microbiology," "lims," and "usp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Quality control analysts tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,870. In contrast, product development scientists make the biggest average salary, $84,858, in the education industry.The education levels that quality control analysts earn slightly differ from product development scientists. In particular, quality control analysts are 11.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a product development scientist. Additionally, they're 7.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product development 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 product development scientist resumes. While product development scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "chemistry," "project management," "experimental design," and "product development," laboratory analysts use skills like "lab equipment," "lims," "laboratory procedures," and "sample preparation."
On average, laboratory analysts earn a lower salary than product development scientists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, laboratory analysts earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $47,806. Whereas product development scientists have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $84,858.laboratory analysts earn lower levels of education than product development scientists in general. They're 14.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for product development scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Bryan Spiegelberg Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Molecular Sciences, Rider University
Product development scientist vs. Quality control associate
In a manufacturing setting, a quality control associate is in charge of conducting various tests to ensure that the products meet the company's standard criteria. Their responsibilities revolve around inspecting the workforce and workload involved in the production process, identifying errors or inconsistencies, recommending solutions and alterations, and maintaining records and documentation. Furthermore, as a quality control associate, it is essential to coordinate with department staff and produce progress reports, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, product development scientists are more likely to have skills like "chemistry," "project management," "experimental design," and "product development." But a quality control associate is more likely to have skills like "laboratory equipment," "lims," "data entry," and "usp."
Quality control associates make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $54,631. On the other hand, product development scientists are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $84,858.quality control associates typically earn lower educational levels compared to product development scientists. Specifically, they're 14.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Product development 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.
Types of product development scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
