Research scientists work in many different areas, including medical research, pharmacology, geosciences, and meteorology. These are just the broad areas, and in most cases, they work on specialist topics. They may work for governments, universities, specialist research organizations or environmental organizations.
- Research chemist
Research chemists study chemical compounds and use the research to create and improve products and processes, from new drugs and medical treatments to manufactured goods such as electrical goods or cosmetics. The job is mostly laboratory-based and includes working as part of a team in a research laboratory, setting up laboratory equipment and conducting tests and experiments.
Excedr is a company that allows organizations to replace the high cost and inconvenience of buying and maintaining scientific instruments. It offers flexible leases and comprehensive scientific equipment service plans, acting as a resource for organizations so they can devote more of their budget to other critical areas, like hiring talented personnel.
- Biomedical scientist
There are generally four major areas in which biomedical scientists specialize: blood and cellular sciences, genetics, infection, and molecular pathology. For example, they may carry out experiments on tissue and body fluid samples in order to investigate and diagnose patient illnesses such as cancer, hepatitis, HIV, diabetes, etc.
Most of the work is laboratory-based and some typical tasks include identifying blood groups and analyzing cultures grown from samples. These scientists also use computer-aided, automated testing procedures to analyze specimens for chemical constituents.
Biomedical scientists mainly work in laboratories in private or public hospitals. However, they may also work in academia at universities, forensic laboratories, or veterinary services.
- Business scientist
Not all scientists wear white coats and work in laboratories. There are many jobs and careers that require knowledge and application of science. Business scientists underpin management and business skills with scientific knowledge to support evidence-based decision-making. They have the scientific and technical knowledge to offer credibility and build confidence in a brand in the business environment.
Scientists involved in the business are found in many science and technology companies in various different roles, from research and development, and can even be found in the C-suite.
- Geoscientist
Geoscientists study the structure and composition of the earth, all its processes and its physical properties. By learning more about the earth, they can better understand the past and predict future changes. A geoscientist can specialize in many different areas such as earthquakes or rock formation. Their work ranges from theoretical research to applying their knowledge, such as locating petroleum resources for drilling.
Geoscientists work in the field, gathering rock samples, aerial photographs etc., and then analyze them in the laboratory. They often use equipment like ground-penetrating radar equipment, modeling software, advanced geographic information systems and remote sensing equipment.
They may become environmental consultants but are also found in many other work environments. For example, an engineering geologist will make sure geological factors don’t affect engineering projects.
- Physicist
A physicist investigates energy, matter and time. Some of them do theoretical research and they help to expand our knowledge of how the universe works. Others do applied research where that theoretical knowledge is put to work in practical ways that benefit society. For example, they may develop alternative sources of energy, more advanced medical technology related to devices, or new communication methods.
Physicists need to understand complex mathematics and use scientific methods to plan and conduct experiments so as to obtain accurate results. They often use complex equipment, such as electron microscopes and lasers. Physicists are found working in many different environments, from colleges and universities, to the military, government, oil fields and power plants.