If curiosity is the engine of achievement, then research is the fuel that systematically propels curiosity towards fulfilling specific goals. A Researcher’s purposeful poking and prying may open up further avenues of exploration, paving the way to a conclusion. A Researcher lays the foundation of almost ... Continue Reading
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Explore Career If curiosity is the engine of achievement, then research is the fuel that systematically propels curiosity towards fulfilling specific goals. A Researcher’s purposeful poking and prying may open up further avenues of exploration, paving the way to a conclusion. A Researcher lays the foundation of almost every industry’s efforts to recognise patterns, as well as locate, analyse and interpret data.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Researcher?
A Researcher would typically need to:
Most of the time, a Researcher works in a laboratory, library or office reading, writing, examining, analysing and computing the data. They may work on survey design and data analysis either in a private office or alongside other Researchers.
They may also conduct fieldwork in outdoor locations.
Researchers may travel to meet with clients or conduct in-person interviews and group sessions outside the office.
A Researcher typically works for 40 hours per week. You may have to work longer hours for the timely completion of projects. Meeting publication deadlines may need you to spend your weekends and evenings conducting research and analysis.
Depending on your field of research, you may need to spend time away from home. If you freelance, you may set your own schedules.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Researchers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Researchers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the Union of International Associations (UIA), are crucial for Researchers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Exposure to potentially dangerous substances, including radioactive material
High levels of stress
Lack of work-life balance due to extended working hours
Physical strain on the eyes, wrists and hands due to the time spent on electronic devices for research and writing
Any academic program that a potential Researcher takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. College students and recent graduates will usually find internships and fellowships in market & survey research at many businesses, research & polling firms and marketing companies. Such opportunities pave the way for future jobs.
To become an accomplished and well-established Researcher, you must acquire a relevant PhD by gaining relevant research experience. Bachelor’s degree holders may find funded summer internships at universities. As interns, you would work with PhD students and experienced researchers. Keep in mind that universities typically prefer students with extraordinary results in their pre-university qualifications and first-year bachelor’s degree examinations.
Industrial internships are also helpful to build your network and experience for future Researcher jobs.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow expert Researchers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
Most research positions require a master’s degree or a PhD. Some entry-level or academic research roles may accept a bachelor’s degree in the field you plan to conduct research or a discipline such as marketing & consumer behaviour, psychology, sociology, economics, computer science, mathematics and statistics. Courses in research methods and survey methodology help aspiring Researchers find and carry out assignments. After completing your bachelor’s degree program, you may pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, depending on your chosen area of research.
Research is carried out in various fields. Hence, depending on the industry, the education and training processes may vary. For example, a master’s degree in marketing, survey research, statistics, social sciences is mandatory for survey Researchers. In medicine and engineering, entry-level research positions typically require PhD qualifications.
Aspiring Researchers would do well to take high school courses in mathematics, statistics and computer science. Science courses may help you in learning about data collection, computer analysis and statistical research.
Although not mandatory, certification demonstrates a Researcher’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
You may opt to acquire the credentials of a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) or a Professional Researcher Certification (PRC). Typically, Researchers must complete continuing education (CE) courses and apply for renewal periodically to maintain their certification.
When research involves human subjects, approval by relevant boards on research ethics boards or institutional review may be mandatory to acquire a license. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
At first, you may be promoted to the position of Research Executive, followed by Senior Researcher and, finally, move on to Account Director. Before specialising in a specific area of research, it is advisable to gain a range of experience to keep your options open for career development and job mobility.
Achieving noteworthy outcomes at the beginning of your career will improve your chances of success in the long run. Enlarging your scope of responsibilities and supporting your colleagues may be helpful. Seek opportunities that help you exhibit and develop leadership and strategic control, as these are some of the skills that senior roles require.
With a growing reputation and more profound knowledge, you may be able to take on senior opportunities apart from academia in freelance and consulting roles. For example, experienced academic researchers are seen in documentaries and are occasionally involved in planning and designing TV programmes and series.
Promotion prospects differ across jobs. In industry or the corporate sector, you may rise to supervisory or management roles or progress to technical writing, sales and marketing. These roles, however, may reduce the component of hands-on research. If you work for a smaller enterprise, you may need to change employers to progress, for which geographical mobility may be helpful.
Freelancing and overseas assignments are also possible. Growing international business and developments in Information Technology have opened up a range of opportunities. With substantial experience in your specialism, you may work as an independent Research Practitioner or in partnership. Having a good network of contacts may help.
Candidates with the necessary skills, experience, and education relevant to their field of research have the best job prospects.
On-the-job training with an experienced Researcher is typically not just mandatory for Researchers starting in the field but also needed to achieve success.
New concepts are frequently introduced; technologies are continually evolving; health, safety, legal and ethical requirements change constantly. Hence Researchers must keep upgrading themselves through continuing professional development (CPD) to remain on par with the developments in their field. CPD may take the form of training courses that cover a wide range of topics and webinars or online training in questionnaire design and business skills. Other forms of CPD include attending seminars and conferences, collaborating with other professionals and reading academic papers.
Researchers may also prepare for postgraduate qualifications or pass an examination for the membership or fellowship of relevant professional bodies, which may also offer further avenues for CPD. Take training courses to enhance your professional effectiveness. Valuable courses include research techniques, IT, report writing, using data/statistics, media training, effective leadership, research techniques, administration and funding application training. You may choose any of these courses individually, or you may cover them as part of training for PhD students or early career researchers.
If your role as a Researcher involves teaching, you need relevant qualifications that you may earn in-house, at external organisations, regionally or working with qualified university staff. From the employer's perspective, you should always be aware of your next step to increase your success rate in this career.
Researchers can expect support and additional training from the academic institution or from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience in enhancing the skills of researchers. In partnership with governments, funders of research, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.
Types of Researchers
Medical Researchers are scientists who conduct medicine-related experiments to improve or develop drugs and treatments. They also focus on health, disease prevention, diagnosis or cause-related research.
Life/Biological Science Researchers study living organisms, even microscopic ones, and how they are related to their environment. They typically specialise in a specific type of organism, disease or field such as the research of aquatic creatures, cancer or viruses.
Agricultural Researchers study food and agricultural products and work mainly for government agencies, educational institutions or research-based companies. Agricultural Researchers work around food and agricultural products. In addition to food, they study fibres, animals, insects or plants to streamline the production of food and improve its safety and quality.
Mathematician Researchers use mathematical processes for commercial functions, collaborating with other scientists in industrial settings. Their research work involves attempting to prove theories, as well as forecast or identify and explain trends or outcomes such as the spread of cancer.
Research Psychologists conduct research related to their field of study and their area of employment or their positions in government, health, industrial and educational settings.
Program Researchers work alongside producers, directors and writers to examine facts, develop ideas and support the media production team. They are also involved in the casting of members for shows, verifying background information and facts. They even verify the suitability of a project or research-related legal issues.
Academic Researchers apply their expertise and skills that have evolved through studies and research to publish papers of their work in esteemed journals and write reports, books or chapters of books based on their area of knowledge.
Market Researchers collect and analyse data and information to help their clients make well-informed decisions, whether political, economic or social.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Researchers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
A full-time Researcher, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety. When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
A Researcher treats the initial question as a stimulus to launch a journey of exploration and discovery that perhaps yields as many answers as raises further questions until a reliable conclusion is reached. Typically, every field requires the services of a qualified, knowledgeable and experienced Researcher, be it art, law, science, medicine or any other. Given that we do not even know all the questions that exist, Researchers will continue to play an exciting and critical role in the evolution of human knowledge.
Give every research project your 100 percent effort and attention as future assignments will depend on your performance in earlier ones. Explore diverse research methods and seek training opportunities. If you encounter a block, go ahead and turn your problem around, ask a colleague in an unrelated field for how they would tackle it, or consult your research participants.
Research shows that rats laugh when they are tickled and even chase after the Researcher's hand playfully!
What do Researchers do?
A Researcher would typically need to:
Accredited
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