What does a scientist do?
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
Scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real scientist resumes:
- Lead a cross-functional team to return an HIV combination product to market on random-access instrument.
- Design the VERIS HIV-1 quantitative PCR assay which achieve Conformit Europ enne (CE) marking.
- Manage an elemental analytical laboratory that include operating, maintaining and troubleshooting an ICP-OES, ICPMS, MXRF, and IC.
- Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
- Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
- Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
- Use various instruments such as Auto-Titrators, TGA, and NMR.
- Perform tissue culture quarantine tests (PCR) for available cell lines.
- Conduct experiments to troubleshoot and solve technical problems via internal discrepancy reports, CAPA, or external customer complaints.
- Operate HPLC-MS and examine chromatography and spectra results to identify impurities and identify compound fragmentation for technical reports.
- Support all GMP activities for manufacturing plant equipment release, including method development and validation, and cleaning verification.
- Coordinate and perform commercial release testing of market product at manufacturing site in QC environment to address FDA audit observations
- Perform compendial testing (USP, EP, BP and JP).
- Identify new metabolites in animals by LC-MS.
- Assist in writing CMC section of NDA.
Scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Scientists are proficient in Chemistry, Data Analysis, and Patients.
We break down the percentage of Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Chemistry, 9%
Subject matter expert for the Department of Homeland Security on trace explosives detection and explosives chemistry with an emphasis on thermal analysis
- Data Analysis, 7%
Responded to customer inquiries for data analysis and offered guidance for better usage of biochemical/ kits products to improve customer satisfaction.
- Patients, 7%
Performed microscopy analysis on chromosomes for diagnostics and prognostics examination for patients referred for oncology and reproductive evaluations.
- Molecular Biology, 4%
Planned and completed experiments utilizing molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry techniques to discover and develop novel neurological disease targets.
- Cell Culture, 4%
Mentored junior scientists in cell culture technology and cellular biology and provided support in troubleshooting, and atypical issue resolution.
- Java, 3%
Developed computational cognitive models of human performance in task interruption experiments using ACT-R cognitive architecture, Lisp and Java.
Most scientists use their skills in "chemistry," "data analysis," and "patients" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential scientist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a 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 scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "managed client expectations by creating timelines, ms project plans and regular communication of project status. "
Observation skills. Many scientist duties rely on observation skills. "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data.," so a scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways scientist responsibilities rely on observation skills: "collected clinical observations, body weights and food consumption in the xybion data collection system. "
The three companies that hire the most scientists are:
- Amazon520 scientists jobs
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.186 scientists jobs
- Eurofins130 scientists jobs
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Compare different scientists
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between scientists and postdoctoral research associate. For instance, scientist responsibilities require skills such as "molecular biology," "java," "product development," and "laboratory equipment." Whereas a postdoctoral research associate is skilled in "python," "post-doctoral," "cell biology," and "c++." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Postdoctoral research associates really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $69,999. Comparatively, scientists tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $134,486.The education levels that postdoctoral research associates earn slightly differ from scientists. In particular, postdoctoral research associates are 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a scientist. Additionally, they're 30.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Scientist vs. Research fellow
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "molecular biology," "java," "product development," and "laboratory equipment." Meanwhile, a research fellow has duties that require skills in areas such as "immunology," "cell biology," "python," and "nih." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Research fellows earn a lower average salary than scientists. But research fellows earn the highest pay in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $57,261. Additionally, scientists earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $134,486 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Research fellows tend to reach similar levels of education than scientists. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 30.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from scientist resumes include skills like "molecular biology," "product development," "laboratory equipment," and "gmp," whereas a postdoctoral associate is more likely to list skills in "tip," "biomedical," "python," 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, scientists have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $134,486.postdoctoral associates typically earn similar educational levels compared to scientists. Specifically, they're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 30.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Scientist vs. Research associate
A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.
Types of scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
