Research scientist
Research scientists plan and lead experiments and investigations on a range of scientific topics.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a research scientist you could:
- write research proposals and apply for funding
- plan, design and do experiments
- record and analyse results
- present findings in journals and at conferences
- develop new products and ways to apply new discoveries
- teach and supervise students' research projects
We've identified this as a potential green job
For a research scientist to be a green job, you could:
- carry out research which supports the environment like turning waste products into fuel
- work with reusable or recyclable equipment
- use materials from local suppliers to reduce emissions from shipping
Find out more about green careers
Working environment
You could work in a laboratory or at a university.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
As a scientist with a research council or organisation, you could move into a senior research or laboratory management position.
In an academic post, once you've gained experience and published original research, you could progress to senior research fellow or professor and lead your own research team.
You could open up further opportunities for career development by gaining Chartered Scientist status.
You can get more details about career development options through Vitae.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- science skills
- maths knowledge
- complex problem-solving skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
You usually need a first or 2:1 (upper second class) degree in a science subject to become a research scientist. Most research scientists continue to study for a postgraduate qualification like a PhD.
You could study on an integrated postgraduate master's course. These courses include independent research and are designed to lead directly on to a PhD.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You could apply to do a degree apprenticeship if you want to work in a particular field of scientific research.
Apprenticeships include:
- Scientist Level 6
- Biomedical Scientist Level 6
- Nuclear Scientist Level 6
- Materials Science Technologist Level 6
- Clinical Scientist Level 7
You could also do a Research Scientist Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to postgraduate study.
These apprenticeships can take between 3 and 5 years to complete.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
It may be possible to start as a research assistant or graduate industrial scientist. You would usually need to study part time for a PhD while you work.
UK Research and Innovation and industrial companies sometimes offer studentships. This would give you the opportunity to do a PhD while getting practical research experience.
Career tips
It may improve your chances of finding work if you've got work experience in a research department, or your degree included a placement in a research environment.
As a graduate, you could look for postgraduate training opportunities offered through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). In a KTP you would get the opportunity to run a research project together with an organisation and a university or research body.
Further information
You can get advice about research careers from the Science Council and professional bodies for particular scientific fields, such as:
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.