Natural Sciences Manager Career
Natural sciences managers take charge of the work of scientists such as physicists, biologists, and chemists by coordinating quality control and production, defining research and development tasks, and taking care of goals and budgets.
Although they may spend time in laboratories and research floors performing scientific duties especially if they’re in charge of smaller staffs, they work primarily out of their own offices to focus on administrative matters, particularly if they have large staffs
Natural Sciences Manager Career Snapshot
Most natural sciences managers are employed by research and development facilities in the physical, engineering and life sciences, with others working for the federal government, pharmaceutical medicine manufacturing, and state government. Although many depend on the government to finance projects, others who work for business or industry may rely on private or public funding as well as research grants.
Further details on a career as a natural sciences manager are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average annual salary for natural sciences managers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Bachelor’s degree while 26% have a Doctoral degree.
Natural Sciences Manager Education
Because they start as scientists so that they can understand the work of their subordinates, most natural sciences managers have bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, or Ph.D.’s in a related scientific discipline, and may add related administrative degrees such as a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Public Administration. However, they also typically require many years of employment so that they can gain experience in company procedures, develop the ability to work independently and with initiative, and to slowly rise up the management ladder.
Natural Sciences Manager Job Duties
Natural science managers take care of the people under them by interviewing, hiring, supervising, and firing subordinates. They monitor the progress of projects, communicate with other managers in a company, manage resources and personnel in finishing tasks, and help develop goals and strategies for their companies by meeting with other executives.
Natural Sciences Manager Salaries
For 2015, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median pay for natural sciences manager was $119,500, which was greater than the $87,420 median for other management occupations and are more than the $37,040 for all occupations in all industries. The lowest-paid 10 percent made less than $66,920 while the top earners received over $208,000.
Natural Sciences Manager Job Outlook
Jobs for natural science managers are predicted to increase by 3 percent from 2014 to 2024, which is less than the 7 percent forecast for all jobs in all industries, and slightly under the 4 percent projected for other management occupations. Job growth is slow because many research and development activities are being outsourced to scientific research firms, which tends to consolidate management within a company.
Natural Sciences Manager Skills & Traits
| Natural Sciences Manager Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Natural Sciences Managers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Writing • Reading Comprehension • Speaking • Active Listening | • Deductive Reasoning • Inductive Reasoning • Oral Comprehension • Oral Expression | • Desktop computers • High capacity removable media drives • Liquid crystal display projector • Laptop computers | • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization • Getting Information • Analyzing Data or Information |
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