Research Scientist (Physical Sciences)

Physical research scientists tend to specialize in one area of physical sciences, such as physics, astrophysics, chemistry, nuclear chemistry, astronomy, geology, materials science, earth science and meteorology. They make hypotheses, collect data, and interpret results in order to answer questions about humans and the natural world. Research scientists work at colleges and universities, for non-profit organizations, government agencies, and private research and development companies.

Education

You can only become a research scientist if you have a bachelor’s degree in a science subject. A relevant postgraduate qualification (a PhD/research-based MSc) is also normally required, particularly for permanent positions. Post-doctoral research and/or practical research/laboratory work experience is also beneficial, and frequently required for academic posts.

Knowledge and Tasks

Research scientists study and investigate specimens and scientific processes involved with the specific goals of the company.
Research scientists record, analyze and interpret data, providing evidence to support all conclusions, whether that be in the advancement of technology, creation of new commercial applications, processes or products or to increase scientific understanding.
Scientists may also conduct fieldwork, teach, publish papers, give findings in seminars or presentations, read journals and attend academic conferences.

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 Physical Research Scientist earns an average salary of Rs 3,50,000-5,00,000 per year. Experience has a moderate effect on pay for this job. People in this job generally don't have more than 20 years' experience. Skills that are associated with high pay for this job are Machine Learning, Chemical Process Engineering, and Bioinformatics.

Top Institutes

India

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).
Indian Institute of Technology,(IIT).
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram.

Abroad

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
The University Of California At Los Angeles
Johns Hopkins University
Texas A & M University
California Institute Of Technology – Caltech

Famous People

C.V. Raman

Indian physicist whose work was influential in the growth of science in India. He was the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930 for the discovery that when light traverses a transparent material, some of the light that is deflected changes in wavelength. This phenomenon is now called Raman scattering and is the result of the Raman Effect.

Stephen William Hawking

Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author, who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge at the time of his death. He was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge between 1979 and 2009.

Explore

Online courses on a topic related to physics relevant for high school students- https://www.edx.org/course/ap-physics-1
"Science Reporter", a science journal intended for school students: - http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/7415

Research Scientist (Physical Sciences)