Computer and Information Research Scientists
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.
SOC: 15-1221.00
Common Job Titles
Computer ScientistComputer SpecialistControl System Computer ScientistResearch Scientist
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeDesign novel algorithms and computational solutions for fundamental problems in computer hardware and software, working independently in research settings.Advanced
- KnowledgeEvaluate complex computational systems and architectures using systems analysis methodologies and performance metrics in distributed and parallel computing environments.Advanced
- KnowledgeSynthesize theoretical computer science principles with practical implementation requirements when developing innovative solutions to emerging computational challenges.Advanced
- KnowledgeFormulate research objectives and experimental methodologies for investigating fundamental questions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computational theory.Advanced
- KnowledgeDevelop mathematical models and optimization frameworks applying advanced mathematics, statistics, and algorithmic theory to solve complex computational problems.Advanced
- KnowledgeAnalyze large-scale datasets and computational results using statistical software, data mining techniques, and visualization tools to identify patterns and insights.Proficient
- Hands-onPerform software development and programming tasks using multiple programming languages (Python, C++, Java, R) and development environments for research prototypes and production systems.Proficient
- Hands-onOperate high-performance computing infrastructure including cluster systems, parallel processors, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) for computationally intensive research.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate interdisciplinary perspectives and stakeholder requirements when collaborating with domain experts, industry partners, and research teams on complex computational projects.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret technical research findings and computational models for diverse audiences through written publications, presentations, and consultations with stakeholders.Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Computer and Information Research Scientists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
38,480
Wage Distribution by Percentile
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $80,670 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $232,120 |
| Workers on average earn | $152,310 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Computers and Electronics4.6/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Engineering and Technology4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
Amazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Web Services AWS softwareApache CassandraApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache SparkApache Subversion SVNBashCC#C++DjangoDockerESRI ArcGIS softwareEclipse IDEElasticsearchExtensible markup language XMLGitGitHubGoogle AnalyticsIBM SPSS StatisticsJavaScriptLinuxMicrosoft Azure softwareMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Power BIMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAMicrosoft Visual StudioMongoDBMySQLNoSQLNode.jsOracle DatabaseOracle JavaOracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EEPHPPerlPostgreSQLPyTorchPythonRRubySASScalaShell scriptSplunk EnterpriseStructured query language SQLTableauTensorFlowTeradata DatabaseThe MathWorks MATLABTransact-SQLUNIXUNIX Shell
Technology Skills
3D graphics softwareAdaAdvanced numerical softwareAlgorithmic softwareApache FlumeApache HTTP ServerApache PigApache Solr
Tools & Equipment
Articulated robotsCluster systemsComputer laser printersComputer scannersDigital camerasDigital video camerasDistributed heterogeneous computersFile servers