Computer and Information Research Scientist Career

computer-information-researComputer research and internet scientists design and develop innovative approaches to existing technology, while also developing new and creative forms of computing for tech and other applied sciences.

Various fields, such as medicine, business, and science all rely upon the use of computer research and internet sciences to decipher and improve complex algorithms and stumbling blocks related to each discipline.

Federal government and private service firms are usually ideal employers for computer research and internet scientist careers.

Computer and Information Research Scientist Career Snapshot

While the majority of computer research and internet scientists work in an office or laboratory setting, this can vary drastically based on the company in which they are employed, with many choosing to use their extensive and diverse skill-sets to work in educational centers as professors and private instructors. These are most often full time positions, with most practitioners actively fulfilling forty hour workweeks.

Further details on a career as a computer and information research scientist are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$110,620

is the average mean salary for computer and information research scientists.

11%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

59%

have a Master’s degree usually in a degree in or related to computer science.

Education

In order to work as a computer research and internet scientist, a master’s degree in physics, biology or other related discipline for employment at many firms or governmental agencies is required, while a PhD is most often necessary for employment at reputable colleges and universities. With sufficient experience within the field, a bachelors degree may be adequate for some government agencies.

Job Duties

Computer research and internet scientists often collaborate with electrical and hardware engineers in fields such as, robotics, hardware and software, where the main focus is creating efficient ways to improve overall production. In regard to software collaboration, computer research and internet scientist may actually write the software necessary to improve various complex machines, ranging from production-grade motor vehicles, to satellites that monitor and transmit preternatural signals.

Salaries

The average salary of computer research and internet scientist hovers at about $64,300 for the bottom ten percent of employees, while the highest ten percent have enjoyed and income of about $170,610 as of May 2015 BLS.gov statistics. This is expected to increase with the projected job outlook in the near future.

Job Outlook

Growth within the computer research and internet science field is expected to exceed the average outlook of most jobs, coming in at an eleven percent growth rate between 2014 and 2024. This field requires workers with skill-sets of the foremost quality, and due to the lack of qualified employees throughout, there will continue to be a consistent rise in necessity as companies continue to strive for increased efficiency.

Computer and Information Research Scientist Skills & Traits

Computer Scientist Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Computer Scientists:Typical Work Activities:
• Complex Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Systems Analysis
• Systems Evaluation
• Decision Making
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Information Ordering
• Image capture devices
• Computer servers
• High end computer servers
• Articulated robots
• Computer scanners
• Working with Computers
• Getting Information
• Processing Information
• Creative Thinking
• Decision Making

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