Annual Salary
£27,000 to £48,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Maths or STEM or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Maths or STEM or go back to all job sectors
Research scientists plan and lead experiments and investigations on a range of scientific topics.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts
There will be
2.4% more Research scientist jobs in 2027.
As a research scientist you could:
Possible green job
This job could help the environment.
For a research scientist to be a green job, you could:
Find out more about green careers
You may need to wear protective clothing.
You could work in a laboratory or at a university.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You can get into this job through:
You usually need a first or 2:
You could study on an integrated postgraduate master's course. These courses include independent research and are designed to lead directly on to a PhD.
You'll usually need:
You could apply to do a Research Scientist Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to postgraduate study.
You could also join a degree apprenticeship if you want to work in a particular field of scientific research.
Apprenticeships include:
These apprenticeships can take around 3 years to complete.
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
It may be possible to start as a research assistant or graduate industrial scientist. You would usually need to study part time for a PhD while you work.
UK Research and Innovation and industrial companies sometimes offer studentships. This would give you the opportunity to do a PhD while getting practical research experience.
It may improve your chances of finding work if you've got work experience in a research department, or your degree included a placement in a research environment.
As a graduate, you could look for postgraduate training opportunities offered through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). In a KTP you would get the opportunity to run a research project together with an organisation and a university or research body.
You can get advice about research careers from the Science Council and professional bodies for particular scientific fields, such as:Biochemical Society; Royal Society of Biology; Institute of Physics
As a scientist with a research council or organisation, you could move into a senior research or laboratory management position.
In an academic post, once you've gained experience and published original research, you could progress to senior research fellow or professor and lead your own research team.
You could open up further opportunities for career development by gaining Chartered Scientist status.
You can get more details about career development options through Vitae.
You can find out more about a career in scientific research through the Science Council.
Research Scientists might work with the space sector to develop new sensors and technology that enhance the quality of the earth observation imaging and data that is generated from satellites. They also work to develop new fuels and materials that will decrease the impact of rocket launch on the environment.
Examples of post-16 courses you could study at a local school or college
A-level Geography, Computing or Environmental Science
Examples of post-18 courses you could study at a local provider in the South West
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience at Plymouth University
BSc (Hons) Biology at University of Bath
Apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers
Level 7 research scientist degree apprenticeship.
Search for apprenticeship vacancies
Employers in the South West
You'll need: