Career Girls

Overview:

Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields.

Computer and information research scientists typically do the following:

• Explore fundamental issues in computing and develop theories and models to address those issues
• Help scientists and engineers solve complex computing problems
• Invent new computing languages, tools, and methods to improve the way in which people work with computers
• Develop and improve the software systems that form the basis of the modern computing experience
• Design experiments to test the operation of these software systems
• Analyze the results of their experiments
• Publish their findings in academic journals and present their findings at conferences

Computer and information research scientists create and improve computer software and hardware.

Creating and improving software involves working with algorithms, which are sets of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Some computer tasks are very difficult and require complex algorithms. Computer and information research scientists try to simplify these algorithms to make computer systems as efficient as possible. The algorithms allow advancements in many types of technology, such as machine learning systems and cloud computing.

Computer and information research scientists design new computer architecture that improves the performance and efficiency of computer hardware. Their work often leads to technological advancements and efficiencies, such as better networking technology, faster computing speeds, and improved information security. In general, computer and information research scientists work at a more theoretical level than do other computer professionals. 

Many people with a computer and information research science background become post-secondary teachers. In general, researchers in an academic setting focus on computer theory, although those working for businesses or scientific organizations usually focus on projects that may produce profits.

Some computer scientists work with electrical engineers, computer hardware engineers, and other specialists on multidisciplinary projects. The following are examples of types of specialties for computer and information research scientists:

Data mining: Computer and information research scientists write algorithms that are used to detect and analyze patterns in very large datasets. They improve ways to sort, manage, and display data. Computer scientists build algorithms into software packages that make the data easier for analysts to use. For example, they may create an algorithm to analyze a very large set of medical data in order to find new ways to treat diseases. They may also look for patterns in traffic data to help clear accidents faster.

Robotics: Some computer and information research scientists study how to improve robots. Robotics explores how a machine can interact with the physical world. Computer and information research scientists create the programs that control the robots. They work closely with engineers who focus on the hardware design of robots. Together, these workers test how well the robots do the tasks they were created to do, such as assemble cars and collect data on other planets.

Programming: Computer and information research scientists design new programming languages that are used to write software. The new languages make software writing more efficient by improving an existing language, such as Java, or by making a specific aspect of programming, such as image processing, easier.

Work Environment:

Computer and information research scientists held about 25,600 jobs in 2014.

Most computer scientists employed by the federal government work for the Department of Defense. 

Most computer and information research scientists work full-time. About 1 in 10 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2014.

Education and Training:

Most computer and information research scientists need a Ph.D. in computer science or a related field, such as computer engineering. A Ph.D. usually requires 4 to 5 years of study after the bachelor’s degree, typically in a computer-related field, such as computer science or information systems. During their first 2 years in a Ph.D. program, students take a variety of computer science classes. They then choose a specialty and spend the remaining years doing research within that specialty.

Computer scientists who work in a specialized field may need knowledge of that field. For example, those working on biomedical applications may have to take some biology classes.

For some computer scientist positions in the federal government, a bachelor’s degree in computer science is sufficient.

Skills to Develop:

Advanced math skills: Advanced math and other technical topics are critical in computing.

Analytical skills: Computer and information research scientists must be organized in their thinking and analyze the results of their research to formulate conclusions.

Communication skills: Computer and information research scientists must communicate well with programmers and managers, as well as be able to clearly explain their conclusions to people who may have no technical background. They often write for academic journals and similar publications.

Critical-thinking skills: Computer and information research scientists work on many complex problems.

Detail-oriented: Computer and information research scientists must pay close attention to their work because a small error can cause an entire project to fail.

Ingenuity: Computer and information research scientists must continually come up with innovative ways to solve problems, particularly when their ideas do not initially work as they had hoped.

Logical thinking: Computer algorithms rely on logic. Computer and information research scientists must have an aptitude for reasoning.

Job Outlook:

Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

The research and development work of computer and information research scientists turns ideas into industry-leading technology. As demand for new and better technology grows, demand for computer scientists will grow as well.

Rapid growth in data collection by businesses will lead to an increased need for data-mining services. Computer scientists will be needed to write algorithms that help businesses make sense of very large amounts of data. With this information, businesses understand their consumers better, making the work of computer and information research scientists increasingly vital.

A growing emphasis on cybersecurity also should lead to new jobs, because computer scientists will be needed to find innovative ways to prevent cyberattacks.

In addition, an increase in demand for software may increase the need for computer scientists who create new programming languages to make software writing more efficient.

Earnings:

The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $111,840 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $64,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $169,680.