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Science Manager

Overview and Key Facts

scientist and manager
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$161,180
Job Growth
Job Growth
3.70%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
108,200

What Do They Do?

A science manager could...

 
person observing volcano in Hawaii
Lead a scientific expedition to a volcano after an eruption, to monitor environmental changes.
presentation
Help secure funding for a new cancer drug by presenting research results to a drug company's Board of Directors.
honeycomb with bees
Manage an international consortium of scientists to find out why honey bee colonies are collapsing.
ice research
Coordinate ice core research to determine how global temperatures have changed over the last 800,000 years.
 
person observing volcano in Hawaii presentation honeycomb with bees ice research

Overview Listen to this section

Some of the biggest questions in science—like how to cure cancers or how to control global warming—require large teams of scientists to answer. Science managers work to coordinate and direct the research of these teams to ensure collaboration among the scientists and effective use of equipment and resources.
Watch this video to see an interview with Rebecca Lent, Deputy Director of NOAA Fisheries, who helps write international regulations to protect U.S. fisheries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XobCK3w1mgk

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Science Manager?


  1. Science: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Monitoring: ?
  4. Reading Comprehension: ?
  5. Critical Thinking: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Science Manager might do:
  • Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
  • Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
  • Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
  • Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
  • Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
  • Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
  • Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
  • Prepare project proposals.
  • Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.
  • Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.
  • Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.
  • Conduct own research in field of expertise.
  • Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.
  • Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Science Manager Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Science Manager jobs (3.70%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Science Manager

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Strong technical knowledge is essential for science managers, who must understand and guide the work of their subordinates and explain the work in nontechnical terms to senior management and potential customers. Therefore, most managers have formal education and work experience as an engineer, a scientist, or as a mathematician.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Science managers usually have education similar to that of the workers they supervise. Many science managers begin their careers as scientists, such as chemists, biologists, geologists, or mathematicians. Most scientists and mathematicians engaged in basic research have a PhD degree; some who work in applied research and other activities may have a bachelor's or a master's degree. Graduate programs allow scientists to augment their undergraduate training with instruction in other fields, such as management or computer technology. Science managers interested in more technical management may earn traditional master's or PhD degrees in sciences or master's degrees in sciences that incorporate business management skills. Those interested in more general management may pursue an MBA. Given the rapid pace of scientific developments, science managers must continuously upgrade their knowledge.

Companies That Hire Science Managers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Meet James Templeton, a Science Director at Astellas Scientific and Medical Affairs who works to make all physicians and scientists aware and educated about medical research at Astellas.
I have always been interested in medicine and life science. However, I was not really interested in working in a lab all day. So working in an area where I could apply my skills and knowledge made the pharmaceutical industry really attractive to me. 
James Templeton, Science Director
Meet Andrew Dallas, a Corporate Fellow/Scientist who directs a team of scientists doing filtration research at Donaldson Company.
Since nearly everything I work on is scientifically challenging and fundamental to our business, I am constantly inspired and driven to learn something new. I also really enjoy having the opportunity to direct the work of a highly technical team... 
Andrew Dallas, Corporate Fellow/Scientist

Nature of the Work

Science managers plan, coordinate, and direct research, design, and production activities. They may supervise scientists and technicians, along with support personnel. These managers use their knowledge of sciences to oversee a variety of activities. They determine scientific and technical goals within broad outlines provided by top executives, which may include advancing scientific research or developing new products. Managers make detailed plans to accomplish these goals. For example, they may develop the overall concepts of a new product or identify technical problems preventing the completion of a project.

To perform effectively, these managers also must apply knowledge of administrative procedures, such as budgeting, hiring, and supervision. They propose budgets for projects and programs and determine staff, training, and equipment needs. They hire and assign scientists and support personnel to carry out specific parts of each project. They also supervise the work of these employees, check the technical accuracy of their work and the soundness of their methods, review their output, and establish administrative procedures and policies—including environmental standards, for example.

In addition, these managers use communication skills extensively. They spend a great deal of time coordinating the activities of their unit with those of other units or organizations. They confer with higher levels of management; with financial, production, marketing, and other managers; and with contractors and equipment and materials suppliers.

Science managers oversee the work of life and physical scientists, including agricultural scientists, chemists, biologists, geologists, medical scientists, and physicists. These managers direct research and development projects and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production. They may work on basic research projects or on commercial activities. Science managers sometimes conduct their own research in addition to managing the work of others.

Work Environment

Science managers spend most of their time in an office. Some managers, however, might also work in laboratories, where they might be exposed to the same conditions as research scientists, or in industrial plants, where they might be exposed to the same conditions as production workers. Most managers work at least 40 hours a week and might work much longer on occasion to meet project deadlines. Some might experience considerable pressure to meet technical or scientific goals on a short deadline or within a tight budget.

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as a Science Manager that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

Additional Resources

  • Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology: www.cpst.org/

Sources

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