Research manager
Also known as: reserach managers, chief science officer, head laboratory analyst, scientific director, principal research scientist, head of laboratory
About this occupation
Research managers oversee the research and development functions of a research facility or program or university. They support the executive staff, coordinate work activities, and monitor staff and research projects. They may work in a wide array of sectors, such as the chemical, technical and life sciences sector. Research managers can also advise on research and execute research themselves.
A specialisation of research and development manager.
Essential skills and knowledge
- cope with challenging demands
- study topics
- respect cultural differences in the field of exhibition
- report analysis results
- communicate in English in a competent way
- project management
- study a collection
- work independently on exhibitions
- discuss research proposals
- manage staff
- scientific research methodology
- manage research and development projects
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Natural Sciences Managers (O*NET 11-9121.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Enterprising, Conventional
Top skills: Science, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Writing
US median pay: US$167,220 a year (2025), 108,690 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.0)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Project Management Specialists
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Data Scientists
- Biological Technicians
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Biologists
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Bioinformatics Scientists
- Water Resource Specialists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.