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Career Exploration

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Also called: Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist

What they do:

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

On the job, you would:
  • Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
  • Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
  • Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • management

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Cooperation
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Initiative

Development environment software

  • Apache Kafka
  • Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Analytical or scientific software

  • SAS
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $136,620

Education

Bachelor's degree or doctoral degree is usually needed.