Research and Development
Science, humanities and social-science research careers that expand what we know.
35 careers in this category
Anthropologist
Studies human origins, cultures and customs — how people interact with each other, their environment and the artefacts they create.
Archaeologist
Studies human history and prehistoric cultures by excavating and exploring ancient art, relics, monuments and other remains.
Astrophysicist
Scientist who studies space, stars, planets and the universe, analysing data from satellites and telescopes.
Botanist
Researches plant structure, properties and biochemical processes.
Child Development Specialist
Identifies traits and patterns in children with developmental and psychological disorders, and advises parents and educators.
Criminologist
Studies crime, its root causes and society's response to it, and advises police and policymakers on prevention.
Curator
Keeps and cares for collections — historical artefacts, documents, artworks and photographs — in museums, universities and government facilities.
Cytologist/Cytotechnologist
Specialist in cytology — the structure, function, multiplication, pathology and life history of cells.
Data Collector or Field Survey Enumerator
Collects and verifies data from households, enterprises and establishments for socio-economic surveys, often on hand-held devices.
Demographer
Studies populations — births, migration and ageing (including death) — to understand how populations change.
Ecologist
Studies the relationships between plants, animals and their environment, usually specialising in one habitat or species.
Economist
Studies people's economic choices and how the economy works, advising businesses and governments on financial decisions.
Engineering Physicist
Combines engineering, physics and maths to bridge theory and practice, developing new processes, products and technologies.
English Literature Scholar
Studies texts from around the world written in English or translated into English.
Epigraphist
Studies inscriptions carved into stone or cast in metal — such as those on India's temple walls — to learn about the past.
Forensic Scientist
Examines and analyses evidence from crime scenes; their objective findings help investigate and prosecute crimes.
Genetic Engineer
Modifies the genes of living things — the units of DNA that carry information about an organism.
Geographer
Studies the Earth's land, features and inhabitants and how they interact, using GIS, remote sensing and GPS to find patterns.
Geologist
Studies the Earth and its history to explain present events, predict the future, survey land and plan safe buildings.
Historian
Studies past events through written records, artefacts, photographs, interviews, films and letters to explain how and why things changed.
Mathematician
Trained in the study of numbers and calculations, and uses that training to analyse data and solve real-world problems.
Meteorologist
Studies the atmosphere to forecast weather, and how atmospheric and weather conditions affect the Earth and its people.
Museologist
Organises and manages museums — looking after, displaying and developing collections, and conducting research.
Nanoscientist
Manipulates atoms and molecules to create new materials, with work spanning medicine, electronics and energy.
Paleontologist
Studies fossils — the preserved remains and traces of ancient organisms — to learn the history of life on Earth.
Physicist
Studies how matter and energy interact in the physical universe, and plans and runs experiments to test theories.
Political Scientist
Researches political discourse, government policies, international relations and local politics — including budgets, campaigns and manifestos.
Scientific Assistant
Hands-on worker who supports scientists and research teams as they conduct research and develop new products and technologies.
Seismologist
Geophysicist who studies earthquakes — the Earth's sudden, violent movements — and Earth materials from lab samples to the planet's core.
Sociologist
Studies society, human behaviour and interaction — examining institutions, cultures and groups, from family and religion to class and the state.
Space Scientist
Studies outer space — our solar system and other galaxies — by analysing data from instruments on orbiters, satellites and probes.
Statistician
Gathers, analyses and interprets numerical data, helping companies make sense of it to spot trends and make predictions.
Toxicologist
Studies the harmful effects that chemicals, substances or situations can have on people, animals and the environment.
Virologist
Studies viruses and how they affect humans, animals, insects, bacteria, fungi and plants in community, clinical, agricultural and natural settings.
Zoologist
Studies animals — from their cells to their evolution — and their behaviour and habitats, often in zoos.