Computer and Information Research Scientists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
- Education Required
- Most computer and information research scientists need a masters degree in computer science or a related field, such as computer engineering. A masters degree usually requires 2 to 3 years of study after earning a bachelors degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science or information systems.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 19% (Much faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Some computer scientists may become computer and information systems managers.
- Median pay: How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make?
- $111,840 Annual Salary
- $53.77 per hour
Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields.
What do Computer and Information Research Scientists do?
Computer and information research scientists typically do the following:
- Explore fundamental issues in computing and develop theories and models to address those issues
- Help scientists and engineers solve complex computing problems
- Invent new computing languages, tools, and methods to improve the way in which people work with computers
- Develop and improve the software systems that form the basis of the modern computing experience
- Design experiments to test the operation of these software systems
- Analyze the results of their experiments
- Publish their findings in academic journals and present their findings at conferences
Computer and information research scientists create and improve computer software and hardware.
Creating and improving software involves working with algorithms, which are sets of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Some computing tasks are very difficult and require complex algorithms. Computer and information research scientists try to simplify these algorithms to make computer systems as efficient as possible. The algorithms allow advancements in many types of technology, such as machine learning systems and cloud computing.
Computer and information research scientists design new computer architecture that improves the performance and efficiency of computer hardware. Their work often leads to technological advancements and efficiencies, such as better networking technology, faster computing speeds, and improved information security. In general, computer and information research scientists work at a more theoretical level than do other computer professionals.
Some computer scientists work with electrical engineers, computer hardware engineers, and other specialists on multidisciplinary projects. The following are examples of types of specialties for computer and information research scientists:
Careers for Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Computational theory scientists
- Computer research scientists
- Computer scientists
- Control system computer scientists
- Data science.
- Information scientists
- Programming methodology and languages researchers
- Programming.
- Robotics.