Career Overview
Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.
Also Known As
- Computational Scientist
- Cryptographer
- Mathematician
- Research Scientist
Alternate Job Titles
- Agent-Based Modeler
- Algebraist
- Applied Mathematician
- Cipher Expert
- Computational Mathematician
- Computational Scientist
- Cryptanalyst
- Cryptographer
- Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst
- Engineering Mathematician
- Game Mathematician
- Geometrician
- Math Researcher (Mathematics Researcher)
- Mathematician
- Research Computing Specialist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
- Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
- Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
- Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
- Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
- Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
- Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Science
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Number Facility
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apple macOS
- Atlassian JIRA
- Bash
- C
- C#
- C++
- Cascading style sheets CSS
- Extensible markup language XML
- Hypertext markup language HTML
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Graphing calculators
- Laptop computers
- Optical disk drives
- Personal computers
- Supercomputers
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $63,430 |
| Median | $121,680 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $187,660 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 2,220
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Data Scientists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $112,590
Physicists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $166,290
Statisticians
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $103,300
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $140,910
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $79,350
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.