Computer and Information Research Scientists

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.

Duties

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 computing 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.

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 science. 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 or 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.

Computer and information research scientists held about 31,700 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of computer and information research scientists were as follows:

Federal government, excluding postal service	28%
Computer systems design and related services	20
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	16
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	8
Software publishers	5

Some computer scientists may work on teams with electrical engineers, computer hardware engineers, and other specialists on multidisciplinary projects.

Work Schedules

Most computer and information research scientists work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

Most jobs for computer and information research scientists require a master’s degree in computer science or a related field. In the federal government, a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs.

Education

Most computer and information research scientists need a master’s degree in computer science or a related field, such as computer engineering. A master’s degree usually requires 2 to 3 years of study after earning a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science or information systems.

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

Advancement

Some computer scientists may become computer and information systems managers.

Important Qualities

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 and be able to clearly explain their conclusions to people with no technical background. They often present their research at conferences.

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 programming 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 intended.

Logical thinking. Computer algorithms rely on logic. Computer and information research scientists must have a talent for reasoning.

Math skills. Computer and information research scientists must have knowledge of advanced math and other technical topics that are critical in computing.

The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $118,370 in May 2018.

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 $69,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $183,820.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for computer and information research scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Software publishers	$140,220
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	128,570
Computer systems design and related services	124,220
Federal government, excluding postal service	109,810
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	82,660

Most computer and information research scientists work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.

Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 5,200 new jobs over the 10-year period.

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.

Job Prospects

Computer and information research scientists are likely to have excellent job prospects.

For applicants seeking employment in a specialized field, such as finance or biology, knowledge of that field, along with a computer science degree, may be helpful in getting a job.

Employment projections data for computer and information research scientists, 2018-28

Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2018	Projected Employment, 2028	Change, 2018-28		Employment by Industry
				Percent	Numeric
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Computer and information research scientists	15-1111	31,700	37,000	16	5,200	Get data

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer and information research scientists.

	Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2018
	Computer and Information Systems Managers	Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.	Bachelor’s degree	$142,530
	Computer Hardware Engineers	Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.	Bachelor’s degree	$114,600
	Computer Programmers	Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly.	Bachelor’s degree	$84,280
	Database Administrators	Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data.	Bachelor’s degree	$90,070
	Software Developers	Software developers create the applications or systems that run on a computer or another device.	Bachelor’s degree	$105,590
	Computer Network Architects	Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.	Bachelor’s degree	$109,020
	Computer Systems Analysts	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and find a solution that is more efficient and effective.	Bachelor’s degree	$88,740
	Information Security Analysts	Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.	Bachelor’s degree	$98,350
	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks.	Bachelor’s degree	$82,050
	Web Developers	Web developers design and create websites.	Associate’s degree	$69,430
	Top Executives	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.	Bachelor’s degree	$104,980

For more information about computer and information research scientists, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

IEEE Computer Society

For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit

National Center for Women & Information Technology

To find job openings for computer and information research scientists in the federal government, visit 

USAJOBS

O*NET

Computer and Information Research Scientists