Free research scientist job description templates by field: biotech, chemistry, tech, clinical, and entry-level, with lab-safety, IP, and FLSA notes. DOCX.
6 free templates by field: general, biotech and life sciences, chemistry and materials, tech and AI, clinical, and an entry-level research associate, each with the lab-safety, IP, and FLSA notes the generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
Research scientist is a title the top job description templates treat as one generic job, but in practice it covers a handful of very different roles. The research scientist at a biotech startup, an AI lab, a materials company, and a clinical research group share a title and almost nothing else: the degree, the daily work, the tools, and the pay are all different. The generic templates that dominate search results blur biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering into one vague description, and they skip the things that actually matter for a research hire: lab safety, intellectual property, and the FLSA classification.
This page fixes that. It gives a template for each major version of the role, an honest note on who actually hires a research scientist, ready compliance sections tied to the OSHA Laboratory standard and IP assignment, and a clear answer on exempt status. The six templates below cover the general, biotech, chemistry and materials, tech and AI, clinical, and entry-level research associate versions. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
Research scientist is an umbrella term covering very different jobs: biotech (wet lab), tech and AI (ML research), chemistry and materials, and clinical research. The role is almost always exempt under the learned professional test, though an entry-level associate may not be. Lab roles fall under the OSHA Laboratory standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), which requires a Chemical Hygiene Plan, and every R&D hire needs an IP agreement. The closest federal occupation reports a median near $100,000. Download six templates as DOCX, by field.
What a Research Scientist Does
A research scientist designs and runs studies, analyzes the results, and advances knowledge or product development in a specific field: forming hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting and interpreting data, keeping reproducible records, documenting results for reports or publications, and collaborating across teams under safety and data-integrity standards.
The closest federal occupation depends on the field. Life-sciences research maps to medical scientists (SOC 19-1042), while a tech or AI research role maps to computer and information research scientists (SOC 15-1221). Chemistry, materials, and biochemistry roles map to their own occupations. The common thread is original research; the field decides everything else.
An Umbrella Term: Which Research Scientist?
Before writing anything, settle which version of the role you are hiring for. Research scientist is a genuinely ambiguous term that spans several fields and seniority levels, and the field changes the degree, the techniques, and the pay band substantially.
Protocol input, data interpretation, study reporting
Research associate (entry)
BS or MS
Supervised, hands-on execution and support
The practical takeaway: name the field in the title and summary, and use the matching template. A bare research scientist posting attracts a mixed, off-target pool. The field is the single most useful thing you can add, and it is exactly what the generic templates leave vague.
Research Scientist Duties and Responsibilities
Across fields, the duties cluster into four areas: research and experiments, data and documentation, safety and compliance, and knowledge and collaboration. The emphasis shifts by field, with wet-lab and clinical work weighted heavily toward safety and reproducible records.
Pick the template by field, and decide what level you need first. The core structure is the same across all six, and every one includes the safety, IP, and FLSA notes that generic templates leave out.
Research Scientist (General)
Field-neutral base
The adaptable core: design studies, analyze data, keep rigorous records. Name your field and edit from here when no specialized version fits.
Biotech / Life Sciences
Wet lab, drug discovery
The default reading in life sciences: bench work, assays, molecular biology, with biosafety and chemical hygiene built in.
Chemistry / Materials
Synthesis, analytical
For chemistry, materials, food, or environmental R&D: synthesis, characterization, instruments, and chemical-safety expectations.
Tech / AI / ML
Computer science research
For a research-track ML or AI role: problem formulation, modeling, experiments, and the IP and export-control notes that fit R&D.
Clinical Research Scientist
Studies and trials
For clinical and translational research: protocol input, data interpretation, and study reporting under data-integrity standards.
Research Associate (Entry)
BS/MS, first hire
For an entry-level or supporting hire: hands-on, supervised research work, with an honest exempt-versus-non-exempt classification note.
Match the Version to the Field
Field-neutral or an unusual area: the General template. A wet-lab biotech or pharma role: the Biotech / Life Sciences template. Chemistry, materials, food, or environmental R&D: the Chemistry / Materials template. A research-track ML or AI role: the Tech / AI / ML template. A trials or translational role: the Clinical template. A supporting, hands-on, or first research hire: the Research Associate template, with its honest classification note.
6 Free Research Scientist Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company overview, position summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a compliance and classification note, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, biotech, chemistry and materials, tech and AI, clinical, and entry-level research associate. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: Research Scientist (General)
The field-neutral base: design studies, analyze data, keep rigorous records, and advance the research program. Name your field and adapt from here when no specialized version fits.
Research Scientist Job Description (General)
RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Director of R&D / Principal Investigator / Lab Director]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your organization, your research area, and the
program this scientist will contribute to. Name the field so candidates
self-select.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Research Scientist to design and run studies, analyze
results, and advance our research program in [field]. You will plan experiments,
maintain rigorous records, interpret data, and communicate findings to the team
and stakeholders. This role works hands-on in [the lab / the field / a
computational environment] and contributes to publications, reports, or product
development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Design and conduct experiments or studies in [field]
•Develop hypotheses, protocols, and research plans
•Collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate methods
•Maintain accurate, reproducible records and laboratory notebooks
•Document methods and results for reports, publications, or filings
•Stay current with the scientific literature in the area
•Collaborate with team members, partners, and external collaborators
•Follow all safety, quality, and data-integrity standards
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Advanced degree (PhD, or MS with experience) in [relevant science]
•Demonstrated research experience and a strong methods foundation
•Proficiency with the techniques and tools used in [field]
•Strong data analysis, writing, and communication skills
•Ability to work independently and as part of a team
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Publication record or relevant project portfolio
•Experience with [specific techniques, instruments, or software]
•Grant-writing or funding experience, if relevant
•Cross-disciplinary or industry collaboration experience
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
A research scientist is almost always exempt under the learned professional
exemption, which the Department of Labor applies to work requiring advanced
knowledge in a field of science acquired through prolonged specialized study.
A degree-holding scientist paid above the federal salary threshold generally
qualifies. An entry-level technician doing routine, supervised work may be
non-exempt. Classify by the actual primary duty and confirm against current
federal and state thresholds. This is general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume and [CV / publication list / portfolio] to
__ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Biotech / Life Sciences Research Scientist
The default reading in life sciences: bench work, assay development, molecular and cell biology, with biosafety and chemical hygiene built in. Use this for a biotech or pharma wet-lab role.
Biotech / Life Sciences Research Scientist Job Description
BIOTECH / LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Head of Research / Principal Investigator / VP of R&D]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your biotech or life sciences program, your
therapeutic or platform area, and the wet-lab work this scientist will own.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Research Scientist to drive wet-lab research in our
Template 3: Chemistry / Materials Research Scientist
For chemistry, materials, food, or environmental R&D: synthesis, characterization, analytical instruments, and chemical-safety expectations, under the OSHA Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Chemistry / Materials Research Scientist Job Description
CHEMISTRY / MATERIALS RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [R&D Manager / Lab Director / Director of Research]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your chemistry, materials, food, or environmental
research program and the work this scientist will own.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Research Scientist to lead chemistry or materials
research in our [formulation / synthesis / analytical / materials] program. You
will design experiments, run synthesis and characterization, analyze results, and
develop or improve products and processes, working hands-on in the lab under our
safety and quality standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Design and conduct synthesis, formulation, or materials experiments
•Characterize materials, compounds, or formulations against specifications
•Analyze and interpret data; document methods and results
•Maintain accurate records and standard operating procedures
•Handle, store, and dispose of chemicals safely per label and SDS
•Support product, process, or quality development as needed
•Collaborate with R&D, production, and quality teams
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in chemistry, materials science, or related field
•Hands-on experience with relevant synthesis or analytical techniques
•Strong understanding of chemical safety and lab practices
•Data analysis, documentation, and communication skills
•Ability to work independently on defined research goals
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Industry R&D, formulation, or product-development experience
•Method development and validation experience
•Statistical or design-of-experiments (DOE) skills
•Regulatory or quality-system familiarity for your industry
COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY NOTE
Lab work with hazardous chemicals brings the role under the OSHA Laboratory
standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), which requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan and a
designated Chemical Hygiene Officer, reviewed at least annually. Plan for an IP
and invention-assignment agreement at hire. A research scientist is almost always
FLSA-exempt under the learned professional exemption. This is general information,
not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume and CV to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Tech / AI / ML Research Scientist
For a research-track machine learning or AI role: problem formulation, model development, rigorous experiments, and reproducible research code, with IP and export-control notes.
Tech / AI / ML Research Scientist Job Description
TECH / AI / ML RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State / Remote]
Reports to: [Head of Research / Director of AI / CTO]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional or computer employee; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your research area in machine learning, AI, or
computer science and the problems this scientist will work on.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Research Scientist to advance our work in [machine
learning / NLP / computer vision / applied AI]. You will formulate research
problems, design and run experiments, build and evaluate models, and translate
results into publications, prototypes, or product features.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Define research problems and design experiments to address them
•Develop, train, and evaluate models and algorithms
•Run and analyze experiments; iterate on methods and architectures
•Write clean, reproducible research code and document results
•Stay current with the literature and contribute novel methods
•Publish, present, or transfer findings into product as appropriate
•Collaborate with engineering, product, and other researchers
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Advanced degree (PhD, or MS with experience) in CS, ML, or a related field
•Strong foundation in machine learning, statistics, and algorithms
•Proficiency in Python and modern ML frameworks
•Experience designing and running rigorous experiments
•Clear written and verbal communication of technical work
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Publications at relevant venues or a strong open-source record
•Experience taking research from prototype to production
•Depth in your subfield (NLP, vision, RL, systems, etc.)
•Experience with large-scale data or distributed training
FLSA AND IP NOTE
This role is almost always exempt, usually under the learned professional
exemption and sometimes the computer employee exemption. Classify by the actual
primary duty and confirm against current federal and state thresholds. As with
any R&D hire, use an IP and invention-assignment agreement at hire, and apply
export-control screening for any dual-use work. This is general information, not
legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume and [publication list / portfolio / GitHub] to
__ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 5: Clinical Research Scientist
For clinical and translational research: protocol input, data interpretation, and study reporting, working with clinical operations and regulatory teams under data-integrity standards.
Clinical Research Scientist Job Description
CLINICAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Medical Director / Head of Clinical Development]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional; see note)
Compensation: $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your clinical research program, therapeutic area,
and the studies this scientist will support.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Clinical Research Scientist to design, support, and
interpret clinical studies in [therapeutic area]. You will contribute to protocol
development, data analysis, and study reporting, working closely with clinical
operations, regulatory, and medical teams under applicable research and
data-integrity standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Contribute to clinical study design and protocol development
•Support study conduct, monitoring, and scientific oversight
•Analyze and interpret clinical and translational data
•Draft or review study reports, manuscripts, and regulatory documents
•Ensure adherence to study protocols and data-integrity standards
•Collaborate with clinical operations, biostatistics, and regulatory teams
•Maintain familiarity with relevant therapeutic and methodological literature
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or MS) in a relevant scientific field
•Clinical or translational research experience
•Strong data interpretation and scientific writing skills
•Understanding of clinical research conduct and documentation standards
•Collaborative, detail-oriented working style
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Experience in [specific therapeutic area or study phase]
•Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice and regulatory submissions
•Biostatistics or data-management experience
•Publication or regulatory-document track record
COMPLIANCE NOTE
Clinical research carries data-integrity, privacy, and Good Clinical Practice
obligations, and protocols may require IRB review. Plan for an IP and
invention-assignment agreement at hire. A clinical research scientist is almost
always FLSA-exempt under the learned professional exemption. This is general
information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year
To apply, send your resume and CV to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Companies Using FirstHR Onboard 3x Faster
Join hundreds of small businesses who transformed their new hire experience.
For a supporting or first research hire: hands-on, supervised execution under a senior scientist, ideal for a BS or MS scientist early in their career, with an honest exempt-versus-non-exempt note.
Research Associate / Entry-Level Job Description
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE / ENTRY-LEVEL JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Research Scientist / Lab Manager / Principal Investigator]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: [Exempt or non-exempt by duties; see note]
Compensation: $_____ per year [or $______ per hour]
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your lab or research program and the supporting
role this associate will fill, often a first research hire for a small team.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Research Associate to support our research program in
[field]. Under the direction of a research scientist or principal investigator,
you will run experiments, collect and record data, maintain the lab, and help
keep projects moving. This is a hands-on role ideal for a BS or MS scientist
early in their career.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Carry out experiments and procedures per established protocols
•Collect, record, and organize data accurately
•Maintain lab equipment, supplies, and inventory
•Prepare reagents, samples, and materials
•Keep clear records and laboratory notebooks
•Follow all safety, chemical hygiene, and biosafety procedures
•Support senior scientists with analysis and documentation
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•BS or MS in a relevant scientific field (or equivalent experience)
•Lab or research experience, including coursework or internships
•Attention to detail and strong record-keeping habits
•Willingness to follow protocols and safety procedures
•Good communication and teamwork
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Hands-on experience with [relevant techniques or instruments]
•Prior industry or academic lab experience
•Familiarity with data analysis tools
FLSA CLASSIFICATION NOTE
This role is a genuine gray area. A research associate whose primary duty is
routine, supervised technical work may be non-exempt and owed overtime, even on a
salary. One who exercises real independent judgment and advanced knowledge may
qualify as exempt under the learned professional exemption. Classify by the
actual primary duty, not the title, and confirm against current federal and state
thresholds. This is general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [or $______ per hour]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA, Lab Safety, and IP
This is the section the generic templates skip, and it is where a research scientist job description earns its keep. A research hire carries obligations a general office hire does not, and they fall into four areas.
FLSA: usually exempt, but the title alone does not decide it
Most research scientists are salaried and exempt under the learned professional exemption, which the Department of Labor applies to work requiring advanced knowledge in a field of science acquired through prolonged specialized study. The regulation names the physical, chemical, and biological sciences explicitly. A degree-holding scientist paid above the federal salary threshold of $684 per week generally qualifies. The catch is at the bottom: an entry-level associate or technician whose primary duty is routine, supervised work may be non-exempt and owed overtime, even on a salary. Classify by the actual primary duty, not the word scientist in the title. This is general information, not legal advice.
OSHA Laboratory standard: a written plan and a named officer
Any lab that uses hazardous chemicals falls under the OSHA Laboratory standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450, formally titled Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. It requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan that sets out procedures, controls, PPE, and emergency response, plus a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer qualified by training or experience. The plan must be reviewed at least annually. This is the single biggest thing generic research-scientist templates leave out, and it is a real obligation even for a small lab. For biological work, the applicable biosafety level (BSL-1 through BSL-4) governs containment. This is general information, not legal advice.
IP and invention assignment: sign it before day one
A research scientist exists to create new knowledge, methods, and inventions, so intellectual property is the core asset at stake. Every R&D hire should sign an IP and invention-assignment agreement at or before the start date, the same exposure a software developer carries. Without it, ownership of discoveries made on the job can become contested. Build the signed agreement into the offer and the first-day paperwork so it is never an afterthought, and keep it stored with the rest of the employee record. This is general information, not legal advice.
Export control and immigration come up often in research
Federally funded or dual-use research can trigger export-control rules under the EAR or ITAR, which restrict who may access certain technology and data. Screen for this where it applies and document the determination. Separately, the STEM research talent pool relies heavily on work visas such as the H-1B and J-1, so a research hire often involves immigration steps that a typical small-business hire does not. Plan the timeline and the paperwork early rather than after an offer is out. This is general information, not legal advice.
OSHA Requires a Written Chemical Hygiene Plan
Any lab using hazardous chemicals falls under the OSHA Laboratory standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), which requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan with procedures, controls, PPE, and emergency response, plus a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer, reviewed at least annually. The closest life-sciences occupation, medical scientists, typically requires a doctoral degree, which sets the FLSA learned professional analysis up front.
Pay varies widely by field and is generally high, so benchmark to your specific area and seniority rather than a single national number.
Medical Scientist Median $100,590; CS Research $140,910 (BLS)
The closest life-sciences occupation, medical scientists, had a median annual wage of $100,590 as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest ten percent under $61,860 and the highest ten percent over $168,210. The tech and AI track, computer and information research scientists, had a median of $140,910. National compensation surveys and total-compensation figures in AI and big tech run well above these once bonus and equity are counted.
Chemists were near $84,150, biochemists near $103,650, and materials scientists near $104,160 in the same data. A research associate or entry-level role sits well below these bands. For a posting, benchmark to the specific field and your region, recognize that a smaller company often pays toward the lower end, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required.
Who Actually Hires a Research Scientist
This is the honest part the generic templates skip, and it matters most for a smaller employer deciding whether this is even the right role to post.
Research scientist is an umbrella term, not one job
The same two words point at very different roles. A biotech research scientist runs wet-lab experiments in drug discovery. A tech research scientist trains and evaluates machine-learning models. A chemistry or materials scientist runs synthesis and characterization. A clinical research scientist supports trials. They share a title and almost nothing else: the degree, the daily work, the tools, and the pay all differ. Generic templates that try to cover biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering in one description end up vague. The first job of a strong posting is to name the field and pick the matching template, so the right candidates apply and the wrong ones screen themselves out.
Who actually hires a research scientist, and who hires something adjacent
The role concentrates at large pharma and biotech, big tech labs, contract research organizations, universities, and government agencies. The closest federal occupation, medical scientists, reports a median wage near six figures and typically requires a doctorate, which signals an enterprise and academic hiring pattern more than a small-business one. The genuine small-company case is a venture-funded biotech startup making one of its first scientific hires, and even that company usually works with specialized life-science recruiters. A smaller team that needs hands-on lab work more than independent research direction is often really hiring a research associate or a lab technician, both of which sit at a lower, more typical pay band. Decide which you actually need before you post.
The compliance work is exactly what onboarding and HR have to carry
A research hire brings obligations that a general office hire does not, and most of them are people operations made specific by R&D. The OSHA Laboratory standard requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan and a signed acknowledgment from anyone working with hazardous chemicals. Every R&D role needs a signed IP and invention-assignment agreement. Federally funded or dual-use work may need export-control screening, and the STEM talent pool often involves work visas. FirstHR fits that side for a small lab or startup with e-signature for offers, IP agreements, and safety acknowledgments, training modules for lab-safety and biosafety onboarding, document management for signed forms and the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and an employee profile that records the exempt classification. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a lab-management, electronic-lab-notebook, or chemical-inventory system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
If you are a small team weighing this, the practical move is to decide whether you need someone to set research direction or to execute hands-on work, then scale the role accordingly. For the execution case, a lab technician or research associate often fits better and sits at a more typical pay band. The small-business hiring guide covers the broader process for hiring without a large HR function.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same role becomes the basis for the offer, the IP agreement, the exempt classification, and a safety-aware onboarding, which matters more for a research hire than almost any other because the role exists to create defensible new knowledge and inventions.
Send the offer and IP agreement
Confirm the role, field, pay, exempt status, and start date in writing, and pair the offer with an IP and invention-assignment agreement signed by e-signature before day one.
Record the classification
A research scientist is almost always exempt under the learned professional test; an entry-level associate may be non-exempt. Record the basis in the employee profile.
Train for lab safety
Onboard on the Chemical Hygiene Plan, the applicable biosafety level, and any export-control rules, with signed acknowledgments kept on file.
Store the records
Keep the signed job description, IP agreement, classification basis, and safety acknowledgments organized in one place, ready for an audit or a grant review.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the terms, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, the IP and invention-assignment agreement, e-signatures, lab-safety acknowledgments, training modules, and document management in one place, with a way to record the exempt classification in the employee profile, so a small lab or startup can run the hire and stay audit-ready without a dedicated HR department. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a lab-management, electronic-lab-notebook, or chemical-inventory system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
Research scientist is an umbrella term: biotech, chemistry and materials, tech and AI, and clinical research are different jobs that share a title.
Name the field in the title and summary, and use the matching template; a bare posting attracts a mixed, off-target pool.
A research scientist is almost always exempt under the learned professional test, but an entry-level associate doing routine work may be non-exempt.
Lab roles fall under the OSHA Laboratory standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), which requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan and a designated officer.
Every R&D hire needs a signed IP and invention-assignment agreement; export control and work visas come up often in research.
The role concentrates at large pharma, biotech, big tech, CROs, universities, and government; a small team often really needs a research associate or lab technician.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a research scientist do?
A research scientist designs and runs studies, analyzes the results, and advances knowledge or product development in a specific field. The core work includes forming hypotheses, designing experiments or computational studies, collecting and interpreting data, maintaining rigorous and reproducible records, documenting methods and results for reports or publications, following safety and data-integrity standards, and collaborating across teams. The exact day-to-day depends entirely on the field. A biotech research scientist runs wet-lab experiments, a tech research scientist trains and evaluates models, a chemistry or materials scientist runs synthesis and characterization, and a clinical research scientist supports studies and trials. Across all of them, the goal is sound, defensible research and a clear record of how the results were produced.
Is a research scientist exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A research scientist is almost always exempt under the learned professional exemption. The Department of Labor applies that exemption to work requiring advanced knowledge in a field of science acquired through prolonged, specialized study, and the regulation names the physical, chemical, and biological sciences explicitly. A degree-holding scientist whose primary duty is research and who is paid above the federal salary threshold of $684 per week generally qualifies. The important exception is at the entry level: a research associate or technician whose primary duty is routine, supervised technical work may be non-exempt and owed overtime, even on a salary. Classify by the actual primary duty, not by the word scientist in the title, and confirm against current federal and state thresholds. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a research scientist and a research associate?
A research scientist typically holds an advanced degree, often a PhD, and sets research direction: forming hypotheses, designing studies, and owning the scientific judgment on a project. A research associate is usually a BS or MS hire who supports that work by running experiments to established protocols, collecting and recording data, maintaining the lab, and assisting senior scientists. The scientist decides what to investigate and how; the associate executes and supports. Pay and FLSA classification follow this difference: scientists sit at a higher band and are almost always exempt, while associates sit lower and can be non-exempt if their work is primarily routine. If your team needs hands-on bench help more than independent research direction, you may actually be hiring a research associate or a lab technician, not a research scientist.
What is the difference between a research scientist and a data scientist?
They are different roles in different clusters, though the titles overlap in tech. A research scientist advances new knowledge or methods, often through original experiments and publications, and in machine learning works on novel models and algorithms. A data scientist applies statistical and machine-learning methods to a company's data to answer business questions, build predictive models, and inform decisions. The federal data is separate: data scientists are their own occupation with a distinct median wage. In practice a research scientist leans toward open-ended research and a data scientist toward applied analytics, but at smaller companies the line blurs and one person may do both. Match the title to whether the core job is producing new methods or applying existing ones to data.
How much does a research scientist make?
Pay varies widely by field and is generally high. The closest life-sciences federal occupation, medical scientists, had a median annual wage of $100,590 as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest ten percent under $61,860 and the highest ten percent over $168,210. Computer and information research scientists, the tech and AI track, had a much higher median of $140,910, with the top ten percent over $232,120. Biochemists and biophysicists were near $103,650, chemists near $84,150, and materials scientists near $104,160. National compensation surveys and total-compensation figures, especially in AI and big tech, run well above these medians once bonus and equity are counted. For a posting, benchmark to your specific field, region, and seniority, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do small businesses hire research scientists?
Rarely, and usually only in a specific case. The role concentrates at large pharma and biotech, big tech labs, contract research organizations, universities, and government agencies, which reflects the advanced degrees and high pay involved. The genuine small-company case is a venture-funded biotech or deep-tech startup making one of its first scientific hires, and even that company typically works with specialized life-science or technical recruiters. A smaller team that mainly needs hands-on lab work, rather than someone to set research direction, is often really hiring a research associate or a lab technician, both of which sit at a lower and more typical pay band. Decide which role you actually need before posting, because the title, the pay, and the candidate pool all change with that choice.
What lab-safety requirements apply to a research scientist role?
Any lab that uses hazardous chemicals falls under the OSHA Laboratory standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450, titled Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. It requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan that sets out standard operating procedures, engineering and administrative controls, PPE requirements, and emergency response, along with a designated Chemical Hygiene Officer who is qualified by training or experience. The plan must be reviewed at least annually. For biological work, the applicable biosafety level, from BSL-1 to BSL-4, governs containment and handling. These obligations apply even to small labs, and the practical advantage for a small employer is that the program is simpler to set up once and keep current with a structured onboarding and training process. Confirm your specific obligations with OSHA resources or a qualified advisor. This is general information, not legal advice.
What qualifications and education does a research scientist need?
Most research scientist roles require an advanced degree, commonly a PhD, in the relevant field, though some industry positions accept a master's degree with substantial experience, and the tech and AI track often lists a master's as the typical entry point. Beyond the degree, employers look for demonstrated research experience, hands-on expertise with the specific techniques and instruments of the field, strong data-analysis and scientific-writing skills, and the ability to work independently on defined research goals. A publication record, patents, or a strong project portfolio is usually preferred rather than strictly required. For a research associate or entry-level role, a BS or MS with relevant lab or internship experience is typical. Match the degree and experience requirements to the actual scope so you do not screen out capable candidates or set the bar in the wrong place. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a research scientist job description include?
A strong research scientist job description first names the field, because biotech, chemistry, tech and AI, and clinical research are different jobs that happen to share a title. It opens with a position summary that frames the research ownership, then groups responsibilities into research and experiments, data and documentation, safety and compliance, and knowledge and collaboration. It states the degree and experience required, lists preferred qualifications like publications, and names the relevant safety and compliance expectations, especially the OSHA Chemical Hygiene Plan for lab roles and an IP and invention-assignment agreement for any R&D hire. It states the FLSA classification, noting that a scientist is almost always exempt while an entry-level associate may not be. Close with a good-faith pay range where required, an equal opportunity statement, and clear application instructions, including whether a CV or publication list is expected. This is general information, not legal advice.
