Science General - Job Description

Research scientists work in almost every area of science imaginable. They plan and carry out experiments and investigations in a range of areas, including geoscience, medical research, meteorology and pharmacology. These are broad research areas; a research scientist will most likely be working on a much more specialist topic, such as gravitational waves or stem cell biology. If your specialism is likely to be chemistry-based, take a look at our research chemist job description.

A research scientist's work is almost entirely laboratory-based, with responsibilities that include:

• planning and conducting experiments
• recording and analysing data
• carrying out fieldwork, eg collecting samples
• presenting results to senior/other research staff
• writing research papers, reports, reviews and summaries
• demonstrating procedures
• preparing research proposals and funding applications/bids
• supervising junior staff including technicians
• organising product/materials testing
• ensuring that quality standards are met
• liaising with research and/or production staff
• developing original solutions to problems
• keeping up to date with relevant scientific and technical developments
• teaching