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What does a scientific programmer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.

Scientific programmers are professionals who meet with scientists and researchers to determine and understand their program needs. By using their skills in scientific programming, these programmers must write programs from scratch or create by extensively customizing existing tools. They are required to work with senior programmers so that they can enhance their application development knowledge and skills. They must also assist in product testing with research students and collaborate with design engineers and production technicians when conducting system troubleshooting.

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Scientific programmer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real scientific programmer resumes:

  • Manage web server on NT.
  • Design object-oriented, pattern-driven Java tools to flexibly manage scientific data archive to an SQL database.
  • Develop an automate faculty evaluation application using SAS, UNIX and VMS scripts.
  • Research, design and implement a velocity function prediction algorithm in C++ on Linux under the Promax geophysical software.
  • Develop public web pages using HTML and Perl.
  • Increase proficiencies in ESRI javascript API, Javascript and Jquery.
  • Help users in utilizing software packages install on JCSDA Linux computing systems.
  • Write computer coding in a mix mainframe z/OS and Intel PC environment.
  • Design and programme numerous 2D and 3D computer graphics applications for VAX and IBM PC.
  • Design systolic architecture for the digital signal processing model and implement it in the Unix environment.
  • Create the GUI front end for a molecular mechanics base molecular modeling package with Symantec C++.
  • Up date computer files and PLC programs and the trouble shooting of PLC programs and reprogramming when need.
  • Design and develop JavaScript and HTML code for scientific data file retrieval and download for the C/NOFS web site.
  • Operate scientific & navigation equipment onboard NASA Kuiper airborne laboratory flight missions.
  • Design and develop software packages that integrate Grumman's engineering drawing system with AutoCAD.

Scientific programmer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Scientific Programmers are proficient in Python, Visualization, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Troubleshooting skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Scientific Programmers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 17%

    Designed and implemented novel clustering algorithms in C++ and Python for company's flagship chemical data analysis software.

  • Visualization, 7%

    Designed and wrote C++, parallel VTK-based visualization application for studying tera-scale data.

  • Linux, 7%

    Help users in utilizing software packages installed on JCSDA Linux computing systems.

  • Software Development, 7%

    Helped develop an Automated Software Development System that increased efficiency of the software development teams.

  • Java, 6%

    Designed and implemented a user-friendly graphical Java application for editing response/susceptibility matrices stored in XML format.

  • C, 5%

    Designed/developed modules in C for parsing Link-11/16 radio messages on Singapore's Missile Corvette Boats.

"python," "visualization," and "linux" are among the most common skills that scientific programmers use at work. You can find even more scientific programmer responsibilities below, including:

Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a scientific programmer to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program." Additionally, a scientific programmer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "designed object-oriented, pattern-driven java tools to flexibly manage scientific data archived to an sql database. "

Troubleshooting skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling scientific programmer duties is troubleshooting skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "an important part of a programmer’s job is to check the code for errors and fix any they find." According to a scientific programmer resume, here's how scientific programmers can utilize troubleshooting skills in their job responsibilities: "provided support and troubleshooting in a mixed windows, mac, and unix desktop environment for faculty and staff. "

Analytical skills. This is an important skill for scientific programmers to perform their duties. For an example of how scientific programmer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a scientific programmer: "used mris to create models of the head for the analysis, interpretation and visualization of electromagnetic sources. ".

Most common scientific programmer skills

Compare different scientific programmers

Scientific programmer vs. Computer engineer

A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.

If we compare the average scientific programmer annual salary with that of a computer engineer, we find that computer engineers typically earn a $12,836 higher salary than scientific programmers make annually.Even though scientific programmers and computer engineers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require python, c #, and visualization in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, scientific programmer responsibilities require skills like "data analysis," "noaa," "data processing," and "sql." Meanwhile a typical computer engineer has skills in areas such as "opencv," "matlab," "prototyping," and "troubleshoot." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Computer engineers really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $117,704. Comparatively, scientific programmers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $105,665.The education levels that computer engineers earn slightly differ from scientific programmers. In particular, computer engineers are 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a scientific programmer. Additionally, they're 6.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Scientific programmer vs. Web design/development

A web design/development is responsible for creating a high-performing website by utilizing programming skills and languages and digital expertise. This job requires working closely with the clients for the progress and updates, carefully analyzing their specifications and requirements, including the submission timeframe. A web design/development employee runs multiple diagnostic tests on the website, identifying its inconsistencies, and perform adjustments as needed to boost optimal performance and easy navigation. They must have excellent creativity on top of their computer expertise, especially on designing content and page structure, adhering to the business brand and functionality.

A career as a web design/development brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a scientific programmer. In fact, web design/development salary is $14,068 lower than the salary of scientific programmers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both scientific programmers and web design/development have skills such as "c #," "linux," and "database. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real scientific programmer resumes. While scientific programmer responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "visualization," "software development," and "java," web design/development use skills like "css," "wordpress," "html css," and "jquery."

Web design/development may earn a lower salary than scientific programmers, but web design/development earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $85,953. On the other hand, scientific programmers receive higher pay in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $105,665.web design/development earn lower levels of education than scientific programmers in general. They're 11.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Scientific programmer vs. Php developer

A PHP developer is an individual who writes PHP scripts and coding to create or modify software and applications according to the needs of clients. PHP developers must develop programs, applications, and websites by using the dynamic scripting language of PHP that is known for web development and business applications. They are required to administer websites and test software applications as well as provide training for end-users. PHP developers are also required to solve complex issues for developing and integrating data storage.

An average php developer eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of scientific programmers. The difference in salaries amounts to php developers earning a $7,041 higher average salary than scientific programmers.scientific programmers and php developers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "python," "linux," and "java," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from scientific programmer resumes include skills like "c #," "visualization," "software development," and "c," whereas an php developer is more likely to list skills in "css," "web application," "wordpress," and "git. "

Php developers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $120,305. Comparatively, scientific programmers have the highest earning potential in the retail industry, with an average salary of $105,665.php developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to scientific programmers. Specifically, they're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Scientific programmer vs. Junior .net developer

The role of a junior .NET developer is to develop, improve, troubleshoot, and maintain computer software applications. You are expected to plan, design, and develop new feature functionality of a software application, and identify, debug, and troubleshoot defects. Additionally, you are responsible for configuring new and existing computer systems and offer user support. Other duties include coordinating with other software developers and professionals in the development of applications, creating user interfaces and client displays, and assisting in handling projects.

Junior .net developers typically earn higher pay than scientific programmers. On average, junior .net developers earn a $3,584 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, scientific programmers and junior .net developers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "visualization," "java," and "javascript. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "python," "c #," "linux," and "software development" are skills that commonly show up on scientific programmer resumes. On the other hand, junior .net developers use skills like sql server, net core, css, and jquery on their resumes.junior .net developers enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $99,490. For comparison, scientific programmers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.The average resume of junior .net developers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to scientific programmers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 7.8%.

Types of scientific programmer

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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