Natural Sciences Managers

Career Overview

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Also Known As

• Chemical Process Exploration Manager
• Environmental Program Manager
• Natural Sciences Manager
• Research and Development Director (R and D Director)

Alternate Job Titles

• Agricultural Research Director
• Agriculture Research Director
• Analytical Services Manager
• Chemical Engineer Supervisor
• Chemical Plant Technical Director
• Chemical Process Exploration Manager
• Clinical Project Manager
• Clinical Trials Manager
• Environmental Program Manager
• Environmental Research Project Manager
• Geochemical Manager
• Geological Manager
• Geophysical Manager
• Gravity Manager
• Lab Director (Laboratory Director)

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
• Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
• Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
• Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
• Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
• Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
• Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Biology
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Computers and Electronics
• Administrative

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Science
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Active Listening
4. Critical Thinking
5. Monitoring
6. Writing
7. Speaking
8. Complex Problem Solving
9. Judgment and Decision Making
10. Management of Personnel Resources

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Written Comprehension
• Oral Comprehension
• Inductive Reasoning
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Deductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Clarity
• Problem Sensitivity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Intellectual Curiosity
• Leadership Orientation
• Dependability
• Innovation
• Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement
• Support
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's 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 Acrobat
• Adobe Photoshop
• ESRI ArcGIS software
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project

Tools & Equipment

• Color plotters
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
• Personal computers
• Universal serial bus USB flash drives

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$79,830
Median	$161,180
Top Earners (90th percentile)	>$239,200

Workers Employed Nationally: 100,870

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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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.