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Scientist Careers

Research, applied, industry, academia — every scientist path.

Scientist careers cover bench research, applied work in industry, government labs, and academic faculty. The discipline (physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences) and the setting (university vs corporate vs government) shape the day-to-day.

44 careers in this collection

Compare scientist careers by discipline and employer. Industry pays better and moves faster; academic and government paths offer more autonomy over research direction. PhD is the standard credential for principal-investigator roles.
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Fusion Reactor Physicist

Growing

Conduct fusion physics research

Up to $450k🏠 Remote-friendly
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Medical Geneticist

Growing

Diagnose and manage genetic disease

Up to $380k
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Cellular Agriculture Scientist

Growing

Advance cultivated meat and cellular agriculture

Up to $350k🏠 Remote-friendly
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Microbiome Product Scientist

Growing

Develop microbiome-based products

Up to $220k
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Nuclear Medicine Physicist

Growing

Manage radiation safety and physics in nuclear medicine

Up to $220k
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Geophysicist

Growing

Use physics to image the Earth's subsurface

Up to $210k
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Applied Scientist

Growing

Turn research papers into production systems — bridging academic ML and real-world products.

Up to $200k🏠 Remote-friendly
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Data Scientist

Critical demand

Turn raw data into decisions that move businesses forward

Up to $200k🏠 Remote-friendly✨ Bright Outlook
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Data Scientist (Applied)

Growing

A developer specializing in applied data science on business problems.

Up to $200k🏠 Remote-friendly
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Physical Scientists

Growing

All physical scientists not listed separately.

Up to $184k
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Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

Growing

Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security.

Up to $184k
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Astrophysicist

Growing

Research stars, galaxies, black holes, and cosmology

Up to $180k
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Cognitive Scientist

Growing

Research how minds represent and process information

Up to $180k
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Gene Therapy Scientist

Growing

Shape the future in one of the fastest-growing career paths of the decade

Up to $180k
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Materials Scientist

Growing

Research and develop new materials

Up to $180k
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Neuroscientist

Growing

Research the brain and nervous system

Up to $180k
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Particle Physicist

Growing

Research fundamental particles at accelerators and experiments

Up to $180k
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Life Scientists

Growing

All life scientists not listed separately.

Up to $172k
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Materials Scientists

Growing

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass.

Up to $171k
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Animal Geneticist

Growing

Apply genetics to livestock and companion animals

Up to $170k
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Condensed Matter Physicist

Growing

Research the physics of solids, liquids, and quantum materials

Up to $170k
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Longevity Research Scientist

Growing

Push the boundaries of human healthspan by researching the biology of aging and developing interventions to extend healthy life

Up to $170k
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Medical Scientists

Growing

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health.

Up to $168k
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Animal Scientists

Growing

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

Up to $162k
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Biological Scientists

Growing

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Up to $159k
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Social Scientists and Related Workers

Growing

All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.

Up to $158k
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Agricultural Scientist

Growing

Research crops, livestock, and food systems

Up to $150k
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Physicist

Growing

Explore fundamental laws of nature from quantum mechanics to cosmology

Up to $150k
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Microbiologists

Growing

Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi.

Up to $147k
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Bioinformatics Scientist

Growing

Decode the language of life by analyzing genomic data, developing computational tools, and driving precision medicine breakthroughs

Up to $140k
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Climate Scientist

Growing

Shape the future in one of the fastest-growing career paths of the decade

Up to $140k🏠 Remote-friendly
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Environmental Scientist

Growing

Research environmental systems and human impacts

Up to $140k
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Microbiologist

Growing

Study bacteria, fungi, and other microbes

Up to $140k
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Research Scientist

Growing

Conduct original research to advance knowledge and solve real-world problems

Up to $140k
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Aquaculture Scientist

Growing

Research farming of fish, shellfish, and seaweed

Up to $130k
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Astronomer

Growing

Study celestial objects and the universe to unlock cosmic mysteries

Up to $130k
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Formulation Scientist

Growing

Develop drug formulations that deliver active ingredients safely and effectively to patients

Up to $130k✨ Bright Outlook
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Food Scientist

Growing

Develop safe, nutritious, and appealing food products through scientific research

Up to $120k✨ Bright Outlook
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Forensic Scientist

Growing

Analyze evidence in criminal cases

Up to $120k
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Soil and Plant Scientists

Growing

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth.

Up to $119k
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Political Scientist

Growing

Analyze political systems, behavior, and policy to inform governance

Up to $110k
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Medical Laboratory Scientist

Growing

A healthcare professional specializing in advanced clinical laboratory science.

Up to $105k
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Conservation Scientist

Growing

Protect natural resources by researching ecosystems, developing management plans, and advising landowners on sustainable practices

Up to $85k
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Soil Scientist

Growing

Study the earth beneath our feet to improve agriculture, protect water quality, and address land use challenges

Up to $85k

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