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Computer and Information Research Scientists

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
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.

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).

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.

Examples

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $72K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $95K
Median Salary: $126K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $157K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $194K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

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.

Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.

Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.

Design computers and the software that runs them.

Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.

Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.

Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.

Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.

Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.

Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.

Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.

Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.

Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Application server software
GitHub
Business intelligence and data analysis software
Tableau
Clustering software
Parallel systems software
Communications server software
IBM Domino
Compiler and decompiler software
Polaris parallelizing compilers
Computer aided design CAD software
PTC Creo Parametric
Configuration management software
Perforce Software Configuration Management System
Data base management system software
Teradata Database
Data base user interface and query software
Transact-SQL
Data mining software
Google Analytics
Development environment software
Ruby
Enterprise application integration software
Extensible markup language XML
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP Business Objects
Enterprise system management software
Splunk Enterprise
File versioning software
Git
Graphical user interface development software
Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis Weka
Graphics or photo imaging software
Three-dimensional 3D graphics software
Map creation software
Geographic information system GIS software
Metadata management software
CA Erwin Data Modeler
Object or component oriented development software
Scala
Object oriented data base management software
PostgreSQL
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
UNIX Shell
Portal server software
Apache HTTP Server
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Requirements analysis and system architecture software
Unified modeling language UML
Sales and marketing software
Google AdWords
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Video creation and editing software
Video editing software
Web page creation and editing software
Plug-in file software
Web platform development software
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Stereographic projectors
Components for information technology or broadcasting or telecommunications
Magneto optical discs
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Render farms
Consumer electronics
Free-field speakers
Data Voice or Multimedia Network Equipment or Platforms and Accessories
High-speed networking testbeds
Industrial process machinery and equipment and supplies
Articulated robots
Lighting Fixtures and Accessories
Lighting grids
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Pan-tilt-zoom cameras
Printed circuits and integrated circuits and microassemblies
Microcomputers
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Computers and Electronics
92%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics
82%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Engineering and Technology
79%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

English Language
78%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management
66%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Design
66%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Telecommunications
62%
Importance

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Physics
57%
Importance

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Customer and Personal Service
55%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sales and Marketing
55%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Top 10 Skills
Complex Problem Solving
80%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making
80%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Listening
75%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
75%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Systems Analysis
75%
Importance

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Programming
73%
Importance

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Systems Evaluation
73%
Importance

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Active Learning
70%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking
70%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Top 10 Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
83%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
83%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Fluency of Ideas
78%
Importance

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Comprehension
78%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Category Flexibility
75%
Importance

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Information Ordering
75%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Top 10 Work Activities
Interacting With Computers
100%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information
93%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
93%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information
92%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
92%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Thinking Creatively
91%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Documenting/Recording Information
88%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
87%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Processing Information
87%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
86%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities

Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.

Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.

Assign duties or work schedules to employees.

Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.

Design integrated computer systems.

Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.

Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.

Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

Develop organizational goals or objectives.

Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.

Monitor the performance of computer networks.

Maintain computer hardware.

Manage information technology projects or system activities.

Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.

Train others in computer interface or software use.

Participate in staffing decisions.

Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Education
Majors
Major
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Information Science/Studies
Computer Science
Computer Software and Media Applications
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Human Computer Interaction
Data Science
Chemistry
Medical Illustration and Informatics
Interests
Investigative
100%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic
72%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Artistic
62%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Conventional
62%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising
24%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Social
15%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Analytical Thinking
93%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Cooperation
84%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail
81%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Independence
81%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Achievement/Effort
80%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Initiative
79%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Innovation
79%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Adaptability/Flexibility
78%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Integrity
78%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability
75%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Work Values
Achievement
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Support
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.