Social Scientist

Social science researchers are the maestros of research into social science areas. They spend their days organizing, managing and carrying out research into areas such as education, health care, population structure, social care, unemployment, gender, and the environment. Social researchers might work for academic institutions, independent research institutes, local authorities, the government, health authorities or market research organizations.

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Education

This is a graduate-level job. A few employers will specify a particular social science discipline required for a post, otherwise, degrees in subjects such as sociology, politics, social policy, psychology, economics, mathematics and statistics are common. A relevant postgraduate qualification (a PhD/research-based M.A) is also normally preferred, particularly for permanent positions. Post-doctoral research and/or practical research/fieldwork experience is also beneficial and frequently required for academic posts.

Knowledge and Tasks

Social researchers design and set up programs of investigation. They conduct research through various means, such as focus groups, surveys and interviews, and record and analysis of the results using statistical techniques and packages.
Scientists may also conduct fieldwork, teach, publish papers, give findings in seminars or presentations, read journals and attend academic conferences.
They might then be required to prepare written summaries, contribute to research publications and put together oral or poster presentations.

Personality

Research scientists are naturally inquisitive. Their work requires analytical skills and attention to detail in order to design repeatable procedures and record results accurately. Research scientists report their findings in publications and oral presentations, requiring excellent communication and writing skills.

Salary

A Research Scientist earns a salary of Rs 6,00,000 to 12,00,000 per year. Experience has a high effect on pay for this job.

Pros

Can work in many different fields such as education, health care, population structure, social care, unemployment, gender.
Can work in the academic or private sector.
May advance the public understanding of society.
Above-average job growth.

Cons

Salary varies widely depending on the field.
High-paying positions generally require years of industry experience.
The job requires professional skills in many areas.

Top Institutes

India

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.
University of Delhi, Delhi.
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
The University of Hyderabad.

Abroad

Harvard University, United States
University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
Stanford University, United States

Famous People

MN Srinivas

MN Srinivas was a world-renowned Indian sociologist. He is mostly known for his work on caste and caste systems, social stratification and Sanskritization in southern India. Srinivas' contribution to the disciplines of sociology and social anthropology and to public life in India was unique.

Girishwar Misra

Girishwar Misra is a social scientist, psychologist and author from India. He obtained an M.A. and PhD in Psychology from Gorakhpur University. He started his career as a lecturer in psychology, Gorakhpur University in 1970. Later he received a National award in the field of social science for the year 2009, from Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, India.