Research Scientist Jobs: Overview If you’re looking for a research scientist, first try the lab. Research scientists are often in the lab conducting experiments to help solve complex problems or answer burning questions. Research scientist jobs are often found in universities, government agencies, and research and engineering facilities. If you become a research scientist, some of your duties would include managing and participating in experiments, analyzing and documenting data, collecting samples, and creating reports and research papers.
When you work as a research scientist, you’ll play an important role in the development of medicine and technology. Plus, you’ll work in a rapidly growing field, with a projected 21% increase in new jobs over the next decade.
Want to expand your search for higher ed jobs? You can also find listings for these similar jobs on Monster:
Research Scientist Jobs: Education and Skills
You need at least a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field to be considered for an assistant job in a research lab. However, you’ll need a master’s degree or Ph.D. to apply for advanced positions in research.
In addition to the required education credentials, employers look for candidates who possess the following skills and qualities:
- Strong analytical skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Excellent math and logical skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with lab equipment such as microscopes, Petri dishes, and incubators.
Update Your Research Scientist Resume
Employers in research science look for candidates with pristine credentials and a well-organized application. If you want to be considered for an interview, you must make your knowledge and achievements stand out on your resume. In particular, be sure to list your education, lab experience, research area, and publications on your research. Monster has tons of resume writing resources to help you create your first draft, including an entry-level research scientist resume sample.
In addition to a well-crafted resume, you’ll need a cover letter that demonstrate your passion for your area of research and your key accomplishments in the lab. Think of your cover letter like a lit review: You must break down the most critical points you want to get across to employers within three paragraphs. If you need help with writing and formatting, we have several tips on what to include in a cover letter as well as tons of cover letter samples and templates.
Interviewing for a Research Scientist Job
Getting a job interview lined up is exciting, yet nerve-wracking. Fortunately, you can prepare ahead of time by referring to interview tips from Monster’s career experts. Start by familiarizing yourself with the top 100 interview questions you may encounter. Then, put your research skills to work by doing your homework on an employer. This will allow you to create conversational answers and gain more insight into a company’s culture and best practices.
How Much Do Research Scientist Jobs Pay?
Want to find out how much research scientists typically make? According to Monster’s salary data, the median salary for research scientists is $79,822 per year. But that’s just a general figure. Salaries for research scientists typically vary by location and experience level.
You can do your own salary research on Monster’s Salary Calculator. Just enter your job title and location into the search bar to see your median salary, pay range, and tips on how to negotiate for better pay.
Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?
Want to know who’s hiring research scientists? When you search Monster’s company profiles tool, you can find tons of universities and companies in need of research scientists. Plus, you can find basic information about the companies listed, including:
- industry information.
- company size.
- locations and headquarters.
Find Research Scientist Jobs That Interest You Today
Ready to pursue a job as a research scientist? Get started by setting up your profile for free at Monster. Once you start your journey with us, we’ll make sure job recruiters see your resume and offer free notifications whenever new research positions get posted.