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What does a research and development scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Betsy Smith
What does a research and development scientist do

A research and development scientist specializes in conducting scientific studies and experiments to develop new products and technologies. They usually work at laboratories where they are in charge of conducting research and assessments, coming up with new ideas, performing tests, streamlining product requirements and guidelines, collaborating with fellow experts, utilizing previous studies and advanced software, and maintaining records of all procedures. Additionally, as a research and development scientist, it is essential to conduct reviews and assessments to ensure products adhere to safety standards and regulations.

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Research and development scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research and development scientist resumes:

  • Lead technology evaluation, scale-up & commercialization (milling, extraction, distillation, clarification, ultra-filtration & concentration).
  • Manage security configurations of multiple GMP equipment to ensure sensitive data is backed up and secure via active directory.
  • Perform method development and validation of dissolution method by HPLC.
  • Execute and evaluate test protocols utilizing chemistry, laboratory equipment and computer software.
  • Prepare and present study results, using PowerPoint slideshows.
  • Perform DNA sequencing on various extract material (DNA/RNA).
  • Work in the team for implementation of cGLP and ISO certification.
  • Select, purchase, install, and train on FTIR usage.
  • Maintain the ICP and QA analysis of solder material for ASTM methods.
  • Perform routine analysis of refine products by various GC and GC-MS methods.
  • Implement language parsing, translation and user interface in Java for the tool and conduct POCs.
  • Analyze pharmaceutical compounds using IR, XRD, DSC, GC, mass spectroscopy and microscopy.
  • Design templates in-house for QC HunterLab testing of biscuits that save hundreds of dollars per unit.
  • Interface with multiple TPMs and raw material suppliers to successfully scale-up new products and to troubleshoot quality and ingredient issues.
  • Conduct forced degradation studies of API and identify degradation products.

Research and development scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Research And Development Scientists are proficient in R, Patients, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Research And Development Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • R, 7%

    Implemented process control checks and QC testing methods, executed Gage R and R for new test methods.

  • Patients, 6%

    Determined through statistical analysis whether these mutations increase susceptibility or resistance of patients to cancer and overall/recurrence-free survival of patients.

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Developed software modules for pattern recognition software package to be distributed commercially for use in biological-data analysis.

  • Python, 4%

    Implemented execution process automation via Python and Bash scripting.

  • Technical Support, 4%

    Provided technical support for Laboratory Investigation Reports (LIR) and customer complaints helping the Quality Assurance Department with timely product disposition

  • C++, 3%

    Conduct Monte Carlo simulation using C++ and MATLAB to identify the most sensitive and best-fit parameter ranges to meet customer requirements.

Common skills that a research and development scientist uses to do their job include "r," "patients," and "data analysis." You can find details on the most important research and development scientist responsibilities below.

Observation skills. One of the key soft skills for a research and development scientist to have is observation skills. You can see how this relates to what research and development scientists do because "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Additionally, a research and development scientist resume shows how research and development scientists use observation skills: "involved in reviewing and responding to fda 483 observations and warning letters in response to regulatory inspection. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research and development scientist duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." According to a research and development scientist resume, here's how research and development scientists can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "developed ado.net classes for the communication of sql server 2005. "

Most common research and development scientist skills

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Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume
Research And Development Scientist Resume

Compare different research and development scientists

Research and 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.

If we compare the average research and development scientist annual salary with that of a chemist, we find that chemists typically earn a $25,317 lower salary than research and development scientists make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between research and development scientists and chemists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like r, data analysis, and hplc.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a research and development scientist are more likely to require skills like "patients," "python," "technical support," and "c++." On the other hand, a job as a chemist requires skills like "chemistry," "lab equipment," "test results," and "ms." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Chemists tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $75,495. In contrast, research and development scientists make the biggest average salary, $91,180, in the health care industry.The education levels that chemists earn slightly differ from research and development scientists. In particular, chemists are 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a research and development scientist. Additionally, they're 7.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research and 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.

On average, quality control analysts earn a $31,061 lower salary than research and development scientists a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Research and development scientists and quality control analysts both require similar skills like "r," "data analysis," and "hplc" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real research and development scientist resumes. While research and development scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "python," "technical support," and "c++," quality control analysts use skills like "lab equipment," "microbiology," "test results," and "qc testing."

Quality control analysts earn a lower average salary than research and development scientists. But quality control analysts earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $62,870. Additionally, research and development scientists earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $91,180 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Quality control analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than research and development scientists. In fact, they're 7.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research and development scientists in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Betsy SmithDr. Betsy Smith LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College

Honestly, I think anytime a scientist tries to predict what will be "big" in a few years, they're likely to fail. That said, I think there's a growing interest among consumers for more "green" products, so research into those areas will likely grow. For instance, we might see attempts to develop new plastics that are safer for the environment and humans, perhaps biodegradable. Organic chemistry traditionally uses harsh solvents and chemicals that are difficult to dispose of safely, so there is an effort to find alternatives to these. Analytical chemistry techniques for separating and identifying compounds, like GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), will likely continue to be necessary. CRISPR, the relatively new gene-editing technology, is likely to become even more widely used on the biochemistry side of things.

Research and development 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.

On average scale, postdoctoral associates bring in lower salaries than research and development scientists. In fact, they earn a $35,928 lower salary per year.By looking over several research and development scientists and postdoctoral associates resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "r," "patients," and "data analysis." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research and development scientists are more likely to have skills like "technical support," "c #," "product development," and "analytical methods." But a postdoctoral associate is more likely to have skills like "tip," "biomedical," "crispr," and "cell biology."

Postdoctoral associates earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $53,445. Comparatively, research and development scientists have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $91,180.postdoctoral associates typically earn similar educational levels compared to research and development scientists. Specifically, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 37.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research and development 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.

Senior chemists average a higher salary than the annual salary of research and development scientists. The difference is about $730 per year.While both research and development scientists and senior chemists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like r, data analysis, and technical support, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between research and development scientists and senior chemists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a research and development scientist might have more use for skills like "patients," "python," "c++," and "c #." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior chemists require skills like "ms," "chromatography," "analytical procedures," and "troubleshoot. "

The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for senior chemists, with average annual pay of $93,450. Comparatively, the highest research and development scientist annual salary comes from the health care industry.senior chemists reach similar levels of education compared to research and development scientists, in general. The difference is that they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of research and development scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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