Computer and Information Research Scientist

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

On the job, you would:

Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Computer and information research scientists must be organized in their thinking to evaluate the results of their research.

Communication skills. Computer and information research scientists must be able to clearly explain their research, including to a nontechnical audience. They write papers for publication and present their research at conferences.

Detail oriented. Computer and information research scientists must pay close attention to their work, such as when testing the systems they design. Small programming errors could affect an entire project.

Interpersonal skills. Computer and information research scientists must work effectively with programmers and managers. They also may be on teams with engineers or other specialists.

Logical thinking. Computer and information research scientists must use sound reasoning when working on algorithms.

Math skills. Computer and information research scientists need a solid grasp of advanced math and other technical subjects critical to computing.

Problem-solving skills. Computer and information research scientists must think creatively to find innovative solutions in their research.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		90%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		79%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		76%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		75%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		74%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		74%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		73%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		73%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		72%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		68%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		68%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		66%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		65%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		56%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		52%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		67%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
		56%	Artistic - Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
		56%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		78%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		78%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		72%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		72%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		61%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		78%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		78%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		72%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		72%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		72%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		69%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		69%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		66%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		60%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		56%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
		56%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
		56%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		56%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		70%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		70%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		66%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		64%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		64%	Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
		63%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		63%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		63%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		61%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		59%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		59%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		59%	Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
		59%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		57%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		55%	Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
		55%	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
		54%	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
		52%	Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.

Assign duties or work schedules to employees.

Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.

Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.

Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.

Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.

Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.

Develop organizational goals or objectives.

Train others in computer interface or software use.

Participate in staffing decisions.

Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.

Design integrated computer systems.

Monitor the performance of computer networks.

Maintain computer hardware.

Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.

Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.

Manage information technology projects or system activities.

Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		95%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		92%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		88%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		86%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		86%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		85%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		79%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		75%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		74%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		68%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		67%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		64%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		61%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		58%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		58%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		53%	Public Speaking - How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job?
		71%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		99%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		91%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		91%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		89%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		89%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		88%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		84%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		83%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		83%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		83%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		82%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		81%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		80%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		69%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		68%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		67%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		64%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		64%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		60%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		57%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		55%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		51%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

What Computer and Information Research Scientists Do

Some computer scientists create programs to control robots.

Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and 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 problems in computing and develop theories and models to address those problems
Collaborate with scientists and engineers to solve complex computing problems
Determine computing needs and system requirements
Develop new computing languages, software systems, and other tools to improve how people work with computers
Design and conduct experiments to test the operation of software systems, frequently using techniques from data science and machine learning
Analyze the results of their experiments
Write papers for publication and present research findings at conferences

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

To create and improve software, computer and information research scientists work with algorithms: sets of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Some difficult computing tasks require complex algorithms, which these scientists simplify to make computer systems as efficient as possible. These simplified algorithms may lead to advancements in many types of technology, such as machine learning systems and cloud computing.

To improve computer hardware, these scientists design computer architecture. Their work may result in increased efficiencies, such as better networking technology, faster computing speeds, and improved information security.

The following are examples of specialties for computer and information research scientists:

Programming. Some computer and information research scientists study and design new programming languages that are used to write software. New languages make software writing efficient by improving an existing language, such as Java, or by simplifying a specific aspect of programming, such as image processing.

Robotics. These scientists study the development and application of robots. They explore how a machine can interact with the physical world. For example, they may create systems that control the robots or design robots to have features such as information processing or sensory feedback.

Some computer and information research scientists work on multidisciplinary projects with electrical engineers, computer hardware engineers, and other specialists. For example, robotics specialists and engineers who design robots’ hardware may team up to test whether the robots complete tasks as intended.

Work Environment

Computer and information research scientists held about 36,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of computer and information research scientists were as follows:

Federal government, excluding postal service	28%
Computer systems design and related services	28
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	17
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	5
Software publishers	3

Some scientists collaborate with engineers or other specialists or research scientists in different locations and do much of their work online.

Work Schedules

Most computer and information research scientists work full time.

Getting Started

Education:

36%

Bachelor's Degree

28%

Doctoral Degree

How to Become a Computer and Information Research Scientist

computer and information research scientists image

Some computer scientists specialize in computer languages.

Computer and information research scientists typically need at least 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

Computer and information research scientists typically need a master’s or higher 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. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a Ph.D. Others, such as the federal government, may hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology.

Computer and information research scientists who work in a specialized field may need knowledge of that field. For example, those working on biomedical applications may need to have studied biology.

Advancement

Some computer and information research scientists advance to become computer and information systems managers.

Job Outlook

Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 23 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,400 openings for computer and information research scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

The research and development conducted by computer and information research scientists turn ideas into technology. As demand for new and better technology grows, demand for computer and information research scientists will grow as well.

Rapid growth in data collection by businesses will lead to an increased need for data-mining services. Computer and information research scientists will be needed to write algorithms that help businesses make sense of very large amounts of data.

A growing emphasis on cybersecurity also should lead to new jobs because computer and information research scientists will be needed to find innovative ways to prevent potential cyberattacks. In addition, an increase in demand for software may increase the need for computer and information research scientists who create new programming languages to make software writing more efficient.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about computer and information research scientists, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

Computing Research Association

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

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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	$126,900
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Computer and Information Research Scientist

What they do: