What does a research scientist do?

The job of research scientists is to design, undertake, and analyze information from experiments, trials, and laboratory-based investigations. They usually perform experiments in different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, and geoscience. They have varied duties and responsibilities that include planning and carrying out experiments, conducting fieldwork, and overseeing junior staff members like the technicians. They are typically working for a government laboratory, an environmental agency, and other organizations. Many of these scientists also work in teams and support staff.
Research scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research scientist resumes:
- Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
- Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
- Used real-time PCR and DNA sequencing to troubleshoot and validate SNP base and gene expression assays.
- Prepare clear technical presentations to NIH department heads in annual seminars.
- Analyze chromatin dynamics during primordial germ cell specification with a CRISPR mouse model.
- Identify impurities in final drug by LCMS and reject impurities with ethanol/water swish.
- Perform routine microbiology testing per ISO and USP such as: bio-burden, endotoxin, sterility, cytotoxicity, etc.
- Re-Cover and analyze various cDNA probes by RT-PCR, gel purification and PCR sub-cloning to support cardiovascular and obesity programs.
- Complete device verification and validation, and GMP manufacturing.
- Create CRISPR knockout tool-set of antibacterial autophagy genes for mechanistic discovery.
- Characterize the therapeutic RNA product, for tumor-source and process-relate impurities.
- Present data at local, national and international cancer immunotherapy symposiums.
- Implement graph analysis algorithms in Java for network vulnerability removal and hardening.
- Develop novel mechanistic assays that enable DP1 transitions of several oncology programs.
- Perform original research relating to immunology, inflammation, and vascular biology.
Research scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Research Scientists are proficient in Python, Data Analysis, and Patients.
We break down the percentage of Research Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 11%
Created open-source data analysis and visualization package in Python.
- Data Analysis, 6%
Worked extensively with data analysis/interpretation and presentation.
- Patients, 6%
Participated in laboratory and clinical research designed to provide clinically-relevant insights into blood cell formation and function in cancer patients.
- C++, 6%
Implemented C++ capabilities to simulate the effective mechanical behavior of rubber-metal composites within an in-house Finite Element software.
- Research Projects, 6%
Dedicated to continued enhancement of leadership competencies, problem solving, independent evaluation of scientific data for basic research projects.
- Chemistry, 5%
Process Chemistry Safety Steward/Safety Mentor/E-Team member
"python," "data analysis," and "patients" are among the most common skills that research scientists use at work. You can find even more research scientist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a research 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 research scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "record observations, analyze data and summarize the results in technical reports to be used for internal and/or external communications e.g. "
Observation skills. Another essential skill to perform research scientist duties is observation skills. Research scientists responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Research scientists also use observation skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed an evaluation of the cam simulations by the comparisons with observational data involving extensive data analysis. "
The three companies that hire the most research scientists are:
- Meta259 research scientists jobs
- University of Washington218 research scientists jobs
- Amazon133 research scientists jobs
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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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research scientist responsibilities require skills like "molecular biology," "tensorflow," "excellent interpersonal," and "laboratory equipment." Meanwhile a typical postdoctoral associate has skills in areas such as "tip," "biomedical," "cell biology," and "independent research." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, postdoctoral associates reach lower levels of education than research scientists. Postdoctoral associates are 5.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 22.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that research scientist responsibilities requires skills like "python," "patients," "c++," and "research projects." But a chemist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab equipment," "test results," "gc," and "uv/vis."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Chemists tend to reach lower levels of education than research scientists. In fact, they're 9.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 22.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Research scientist vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research scientists are more likely to have skills like "java," "molecular biology," "tensorflow," and "excellent interpersonal." But a postdoctoral research associate is more likely to have skills like "post-doctoral," "cell biology," "molecular biology techniques," and "research results."
Postdoctoral research associates typically earn similar educational levels compared to research scientists. Specifically, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 21.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research scientist vs. Senior research fellow
Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between research scientists and senior research fellows, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a research scientist might have more use for skills like "tensorflow," "excellent interpersonal," "laboratory equipment," and "experimental design." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior research fellows require skills like "technical assistance," "spss," "project management," and "medicaid. "
The average resume of senior research fellows showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to research scientists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 7.8%.Types of research scientist
Updated January 8, 2025











