Research Scientist (physical sciences)

Physical scientists (from backgrounds including chemistry, physics, mathematics, materials science and the geosciences) develop an understanding of materials and processes by gathering information and generating knowledge through both theoretical and experimental research.

The work is often divided: pure research, conducted for interest or to improve understanding without an additional purpose; and applied research, which contributes to the development of a commercially exploitable product.

Academic research is increasingly collaborative across all scientific fields and the interdisciplinary nature of scientific research means that much of the work involves spending a significant amount of time working on joint projects.

The exact nature of the work depends on whether you work in industry or in an academic research setting, but in either case the work is usually laboratory-based and typical tasks include: planning and conducting experiments to investigate and analyze scientific phenomena, extrapolating data to develop theories to explain those phenomena.

Simulating problems in laboratories and finding solutions by applying new scientific methods (the design and execution of experiments that provide meaningful data are common challenges),arranging the testing of products or materials to ensure that they meet quality standards, writing up results in reports and/or scientific papers, in industry, ensuring that the large-scale manufacture of new products and materials can be carried out without problems.

All physical scientists must be aware of relevant developments made by other researchers. This may involve keeping up to date through web-based research, reading specialist literature and attending scientific presentations and discussions. You will also need to disseminate any new findings at departmental meetings and national and international conferences, and by writing papers for peer-reviewed scientific journals.

If you work in industrial research and development, you will probably be allocated specific projects. In smaller organizations, you may be involved in all stages of production, from concept to delivery to the customer.