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Computer & Information Research Scientists

Also called: Computer Scientist, Control System Computer Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Navy.

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
  • Assign or schedule tasks in order to meet work priorities and goals.
  • Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • design
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it

Abilities

Ideas and Logic
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems
Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Math
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Initiative
  • Persistence
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Independence
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Dependability

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Development environment software
  • C
  • IBM Rational Rose
Analytical or scientific software
  • Intel Math Kernel Library
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
Object or component oriented development software
  • C++
  • Charm++

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
doctoral/professional degree
usually needed

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Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$101,080
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about computer and information research scientists.