RESEARCH SCIENTIST (L7)

This occupation is found in a wide range of industries including Pharmaceutical, Clinical Trials, Personal Care, Analytical, Manufacturing, Water/Environmental, Energy, Agricultural, Food Science, FMCG, Petro-Chemical, Nuclear, Aerospace, Oil, Gas, Materials, Renewable, Bio medical, NHS, Diagnostics and MOD/Defense. The broad purpose of the occupation is someone who is primarily involved in planning, leading and conducting experiments and analysing results, either with a definite end use, for example to develop new products, processes or commercial applications, or to broaden scientific understanding in general. They provide scientific and technical leadership, giving a clear sense of purpose and driving strategic intent. They can expect to lead on business critical projects – managing the design and implementation of such projects both internally and externally, disseminating findings to internal and external stake-holders and making strategic recommendations based upon the findings of the project.  They take into account new scientific methods and breakthroughs, identifying longer-term opportunities and risks. They will be able to effectively collaborate with both industry and academia, working in multidisciplinary teams, to apply results of research and develop new techniques, products or practices. They are responsible for developing ethical, innovative research practices and programmes with the ability to deliver results. They are a role model, with responsibility for those in senior positions and significant organisational budgets. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of individuals and teams. This is due to the varied work and leadership roles that the individual undertakes through their work. This means that these varied interactions require them to communicate across businesses and industries and lead on ensuring scientific information is communicated in efficient ways, examples of these varied interactions are;

Internal – Direct Reports/teams, Project Teams, Line Managers, Senior Managers, Company Boards, Global Heads of Departments, Teams in other International Regions, Manufacturing Sites, Legal Teams, Sales and Marketing teams, Data Management, Securities Teams, Quality Control and Design Teams

Externals – Compliance, Legislation (court/legal) , Regulatory Bodies, Professional Bodies, Universities and Educational Bodies, Customers, External Partners, NGOs, Contract Research Organisations, Sector forums, Patient groups, Media, Technical Specialists, Suppliers andSector skills councils,

The working environment may also be varied and change from day to day due to the diverse nature of the projects and work that the individual may be working on, but can include;

Lab Based, Manufacturing Plants, Field based – External sites(out side), office based, home based, Customer sites, Conferences and education facilities. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for autonomously managing their own work programs and time while maintaining their own CPD and continuing to develop and update the knowledge and skills of others (coach develop/lead). They are responsible for direct line management of research teams or leading peer groups and collections of scientists in programs/experimentation’s to achieve required goals. They report to senior level management/heads of functions while also being accountable for reporting to board members within the company, clients and research councils. They will be responsible for budgetary control of their projects and advising on wider company impacts of research around production costs and profitability of research results.

They will be responsible for managing different streams of work and leading on/designing and carrying out trails of process and procedures and Translation of science to action. Alongside also designing , developing, implementing and evaluating these business changes.

The volumes and breath of this may vary due to the size of the organisation. With smaller companies also requiring their research scientists to be responsible for acquiring business through communication with customers and leading in this area.

This occupational standard leads to a wide range of real-world scientific roles across industrial and research environments. Individuals meeting this standard can work in the following types of positions:

Research and Development roles: Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, R&D Scientist, Product Development Scientist, Innovation Scientist, Process Development Scientist, Formulation Scientist. These roles focus on developing new products, improving industrial processes, and applying scientific discoveries to practical and commercial outcomes.

Testing, analysis and laboratory roles: Analytical Scientist, Experimental Scientist, Quality Control Scientist, Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Validation Scientist, Stability Scientist. Responsibilities include designing experiments, analysing results, ensuring product and process quality, and supporting manufacturing compliance.

Life sciences and biomedical roles: Biomedical Scientist, Clinical Research Scientist, Diagnostics Scientist, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Toxicology Scientist. These positions support the pharmaceutical, medical, diagnostic and clinical trials sectors, contributing to patient safety and scientific advancement in healthcare.

Industrial and applied science roles: Materials Scientist, Nuclear Scientist, Aerospace Scientist, Energy Scientist, Environmental Scientist, Agricultural Scientist, Food Scientist. Work in these areas involves advancing materials, sustainability, energy systems, food production, and industrial innovation.

Scientific leadership and project management roles: R&D Project Manager, Scientific Team Leader, Principal Scientist, Head of Research, Technical Manager and Technical Director. These roles manage high-stakes research programmes, lead scientific teams, oversee budgets and guide long-term research strategy.

Industries that typically employ professionals aligned to this description include pharmaceuticals, clinical trials, personal care, FMCG, petro-chemicals, nuclear, aerospace, defence, energy, water and environmental science, biomedical sectors, agriculture, food science and national health systems.

In summary, this occupational profile prepares individuals for careers as scientific leaders responsible for planning and conducting experiments, analysing results, managing multi-disciplinary research programmes, supervising scientific teams and translating scientific outcomes into real-world products, processes and business value.

Tata Steel, Covance, Fera, Photo Centric, Astra Zeneca, Unilever, GSK, Croda, Pfizer, 2sfg, teva runcorn, BASF, nufarm, Grimsby hospital, Health education England

K1: Subject specific knowledge: A deep and systemic understanding of a named or recognised scientific subject as used in industry (such as biology, chemistry or physics), applied in sectors including nuclear, food manufacturing, pharmacology or energy production. This knowledge must support strategic and scientific decision making, while considering inter-relationships with wider business areas and disciplines.

K2: Management, leadership and effective communication: Understanding organisational objectives and how their role contributes to meeting them. How to communicate clearly with senior leaders across different departments and supply chains, and within their own team. Advanced communication techniques including presentations, technical and non-technical reporting, negotiation and influencing skills. Leadership of multi-disciplinary specialists at different levels across the organisation, ensuring shared vision and success. Effective project management regarding quality, cost and time. Awareness of organisational structure and personal role alignment.

K3: Ethics, regulation and registration: All relevant national and international regulations required to perform the role. This includes scientific regulation, health and safety, laboratory safe practice, anti-bribery and anti-corruption. Ethical scientific practice and internal procedures for professional conduct. How to identify, record, mitigate and manage risk, recognising the consequences of failure and its business impact. Understanding the benefits of equality and diversity in the workplace.

K4: Research methodologies: Methods appropriate to the scientific sector and how to formulate and apply hypotheses. Proper application of scientific processes. Awareness of the unpredictability of research projects and the need to continuously adjust planning as new developments arise.

K5: Data analysis and evaluation: Statistical and numerical modelling techniques and how they are applied in context. How to interpret and categorise data to make informed and objective decisions against project goals and targets. How to evaluate and interpret data and results against organisational objectives.

K6: Data management: How to safely store and manage data in compliance with relevant national and international regulations on data protection and cyber security. How to follow employer processes for secure handling and storage of data. How to establish an appropriate data management plan.

K7: Entrepreneurial and enterprise knowledge: How to consider multiple potential solutions in key stages of a project. Awareness of market analysis methods (SWOT, PESTLE, feasibility studies) and how to assess business impact. Understanding intellectual property rights as applicable to the role and specific projects. Concepts of value for money and making go/no-go decisions based on business intelligence.

K8: Development of self and others: Importance of continuous professional development and maintaining specialist knowledge in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape. How to coach and mentor colleagues or team members to address identified skills gaps using appropriate methods. How to upskill non-technical colleagues so they can fulfil their job responsibilities effectively.

S1: Application of scientific knowledge: Apply a range of advanced, new and emerging practical and experimental skills relevant to the role (for example, chemical synthesis, bioanalysis, computational modelling).

S2: Data collection and reporting: Capture and critically evaluate data to draw logical conclusions, for example using Case Report Forms, Data Management Plans, Data Review Plans, edit checks and User Acceptance Testing Plans.

S3: Commercial and business issues: Identify commercial considerations, including intellectual property requirements and the business demands of the industrial environment. Understand the scientific objectives of the work and its importance to organisational success.

S4: Communication skills: Write extended reports and review the work of others, including protocols, consent forms and scientific reports. Deliver oral presentations and answer questions about personal or team research. Use interpersonal and assertive communication to persuade, motivate and influence. Discuss work constructively and objectively with colleagues, customers and wider stakeholders while respecting different viewpoints and hypotheses.

S5: Project management and leadership: Create effective project plans including scope, schedule, budget and risk. Organise resources, tasks and teams, and coordinate activities to meet project requirements and quality standards. Adapt scientific strategy and delivery to regulatory, ethical, client and geographical requirements.

S6: Critical thinking: Conceptualise, evaluate and analyse information to solve scientific and technical problems.

S7: Research and dissemination: Formulate research questions and design methodologies using up-to-date sources such as scientific literature and databases. Produce original insights and innovations and share them with peers, colleagues and internal or external stakeholders.

S8: Developing others: Apply a range of coaching and mentoring techniques for colleagues, peers and team members, selecting appropriate approaches to suit the situation and the individual being supported.

B1: Team working: Collaboration, influence and respect for others.

B2: Flexibility and adaptability: Responsiveness to change, adjusting to different conditions, technologies, situations and environments.

B3: Integrity and reliability: Respect for the confidentiality of individuals and company information, demonstrating an intrinsic ethical stance in all daily activities and building a reputation of trust both internally and externally.

B4: Management of expectations: Managing expectations of senior management, study sponsors, vendors, investigational sites and key opinion leaders.

B5: Accountability: Taking accountability for oneself and others to ensure actions are in the best interest of affected parties.

B6: Planning, prioritisation and organisation: Effective time management.

B7: Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Accountability for one’s own and others’ development needs. Showing curiosity about science and proactively developing knowledge to ensure scientific and business decisions are based on strong evidence.