How To Become A Scientist, Project Leader: What It Is and Career Path

What is a scientist, project leader and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a scientist, project leader. For example, did you know that they make an average of $52.61 an hour? That's $109,425 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 17% and produce 20,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a scientist, project leader?

Lisa Cuchara Ph.D.

Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University

Practice both public speaking (presentations, journal clubs, research meetings) as much as possible and also practice "elevator speeches".

Do more than the minimum. Is there a conference you can present at, a journal club you can be involved in, an ASM branch or student chapter to participate in.

ScoreScientist, Project LeaderUS Average

Salary

7.8

Avg. Salary $109,425

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 35.32%

Black or African American 6.02%

Hispanic or Latino 9.16%

Unknown 3.99%

White 45.36%

Gender

female 32.25%

male 67.75%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a scientist, project leader

Explore scientist, project leader education requirements

Most common scientist, project leader degrees

Bachelor's

50.5 %

Doctorate

30.0 %

Master's

16.5 %

Start to develop specific scientist, project leader skills

Skills	Percentages
R	22.46%
Data Analysis	11.35%
Biomarkers	9.40%
IND	8.69%
PK/PD	5.99%

Complete relevant scientist, project leader training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New scientists, project leader learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a scientist, project leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real scientist, project leader resumes.

Research scientist, project leader duties and responsibilities

Develop and optimize competition ELISAs to help rank discover drug leads.
Lead a team of three for a drug modification program focuse on optimising PK/PD profile.
Lead multi-disciplinary project teams in the areas of protein optimization, OMICS, and IP.
Lead early pipeline project purification and characterization using HPLC, SDS-PAGE, WB and enzyme activity.

Get scientist, project leader experience

Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a scientist, project leader. The most common roles before becoming a scientist, project leader include research scientist, research associate team lead and scientist.

Prepare your scientist, project leader resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your scientist, project leader resume.

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