Career Overview
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Also Known As
- Clinical Research Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Scientist
- Study Director
Alternate Job Titles
- Anatomist
- Cancer Researcher
- Chemotherapist
- Clinical Analyst
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Clinical Lab Scientist)
- Clinical Pharmacologist
- Clinical Research Analyst
- Clinical Research Scientist
- Clinical Research Specialist
- Clinical Researcher
- Clinical Scientist
- Cytologist
- Endocrinologist
- Gerontologist
- Histologist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
- Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Biology
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Systems Analysis
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Category Flexibility
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Innovation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
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
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Absorption tubes
- Atomic absorption AA spectrophotometers
- Autoclaves
- Automated centrifuges
- Automated deoxyribonucleic acid DNA sequencers
- Balances
- Beta counters
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Blenders
- Blood gas machines
- Bomb calorimeters
- Bone ultrasound densitometers
- Capillary electrophoresis equipment
- Carbon dioxide CO2 incubators
- Cell disruptors
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $61,860 |
| Median | $100,590 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $168,210 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 156,300
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Geneticists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $93,330
Biochemists and Biophysicists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $103,650
Physicians, Pathologists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Microbiologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $87,330
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
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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.