Research Scientist job description.
A Research Scientist designs and conducts studies to generate new knowledge or develop products, working in fields such as life sciences, technology, or applied research. They plan experiments, analyze data, publish or report findings, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research into practical outcomes.
The Research Scientist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Research Scientist Reports to: Director of Research or Principal Investigator
A Research Scientist designs and conducts studies to generate new knowledge or develop products, working in fields such as life sciences, technology, or applied research. They plan experiments, analyze data, publish or report findings, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research into practical outcomes.
- Design and conduct experiments or studies aligned with research objectives
- Analyze data using appropriate statistical or computational methods
- Document methodology and findings in reports or publications
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Director of Research or Principal Investigator
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Design and conduct experiments or studies aligned with research objectives
- Analyze data using appropriate statistical or computational methods
- Document methodology and findings in reports or publications
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to apply research to products or programs
- Stay current with scientific literature and emerging methods in the field
- Present findings to internal stakeholders or external audiences
- Ensure research complies with ethical, safety, and regulatory standards
- Mentor junior researchers or lab staff as needed
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Master's or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline
- 3+ years of hands-on research experience in the field
- Strong data analysis and statistical skills
- Experience designing and executing controlled experiments
- Peer-reviewed publications in the relevant field
- Grant writing or funding acquisition experience
- Experience with specialized lab or computational tools
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Research Scientist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Research Scientist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The senior band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Director of Research or Principal Investigator) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is a PhD always required for this role?
- A PhD is common for senior research scientist positions, but some applied or industry roles accept a master's degree with substantial relevant experience.
- What industries hire research scientists?
- Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, technology, agriculture, and academic or government research institutions are common employers of this role.
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This Research Scientist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.