Medical Scientist
A medical scientist, also known as a laboratory scientist or medical researcher, is a professional dedicated to advancing human health through research. They investigate various aspects of disease prevention, treatment, and outbreak control, often focusing on developing new vaccines, medications, and diagnostic techniques. Medical scientists typically work in diverse environments, including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government health agencies, and independent research facilities, facing a dynamic workload that can require extensive hours.
To become a medical scientist, an individual generally needs a doctoral or professional degree in biological sciences or a related field, with many positions benefiting from additional qualifications such as a medical degree or postdoctoral fellowship. This career demands strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a comfort with laboratory settings. Their responsibilities can vary significantly based on specialization, involving tasks like conducting clinical trials, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. As they advance in their careers, medical scientists may also take on supervisory roles, mentoring junior staff and leading research projects. Overall, this career path is vital in shaping public health initiatives and contributing to medical breakthroughs.
Medical Scientist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Science, medicine, chemistry, immunology, research and analysis, disease prevention and treatment
Earnings (Yearly Average): $100,890 per year $48.50 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 11% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Medical scientists, also referred to as laboratory scientists and medical researchers, perform research aimed at understanding and improving human health. They may study methods of disease prevention, treatment, and outbreak control, or work on developing new vaccines, medications, or diagnostic testing techniques. Medical scientists perform and oversee medical, chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests in the course of their research. They also supervise medical research and clinical laboratory staff.
Work Environment. Medical scientists may work in hospitals, government health agencies, medical technology businesses, educational facilities, pharmaceutical companies, or independent research laboratories. They generally work as many hours as needed to meet the demands of their research.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of medical scientist tend to be analytical and detail-oriented. A successful medical scientist should display initiative, focus, and good problem-solving and time-management skills. Medical scientists should be comfortable in laboratory settings and have a strong background in scientific research methods.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily occupational duties and responsibilities of medical scientists will be determined by the individual’s area of job specialization and work environment. For example, a medical scientist who specializes in disease treatment may formulate a hypothesis regarding a particular disease. After securing funding from private or public sources, the scientist would implement protocols to assess this hypothesis, such as a double-blind clinical trial of a new drug or treatment. They would then analyze the data using qualitative and quantitative methods and present the results in a professional peer-reviewed journal or at a conference.
Other aspects of a medical scientist’s job may include analyzing human tissue sections and cell samples, developing and testing new vaccines and immunizations, or studying the life cycles of diseases and how they are transmitted. Medical scientists may travel to areas of disease outbreak to aid in disease control and containment efforts or collaborate with government health agencies to implement public health initiatives. A senior scientist may be tasked with training laboratory technicians or overseeing students and research assistants. Medical scientists are also responsible for ensuring that their laboratories are in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Medical scientists spend their workdays in laboratories and research facilities, which should be clean and well ventilated. They are at risk for job-related injuries such as eyestrain, backache, and exposure to toxic and infectious substances.
Human Environment. Medical scientists should be comfortable interacting with research assistants, laboratory staff, pathologists, physicians, government health agents, and patients, as well as functioning in a supervisory and training role when required.
Technological Environment. Medical scientists use computers and laboratory instruments such as centrifuges, scales, automated analyzers, flasks, cell counters, and different types of microscopes. They should also be comfortable using databases, as well as IBM SPSS Statistics or SAS analytics software for scientific analysis, word processing, graphics imaging, and spreadsheets. Medical scientists may also benefit from familiarity with development environment software such as Microsoft Visual Basic or National Instruments LabVIEW.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a medical scientist should study biology, chemistry, anatomy, and mathematics. In addition, classes in communication will prepare students for writing grant proposals and reporting on their research.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming medical scientists should work toward a doctoral degree in a biological science or a closely related field. Some senior medical scientist positions may also require a medical degree or a postdoctoral fellowship, and having both an MD and a PhD will greatly increase a job seeker’s prospects; some medical colleges offer joint MD-PhD programs. Undergraduate studies should include courses in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, statistics, mathematics, and clinical laboratory practices, and may incorporate other sciences such as physics, engineering, and computer science. Students can also gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment in laboratory and medical settings.
Related Occupations
− Allergist & Immunologist
− Chemist
− Clinical Laboratory Technologist
− Dentist
− Forester and Conservation Scientist
− Physician
− Surgeon
Bibliography
“Medical Scientists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
“Medical Scientists.” My Next Move, 2024, www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/19-1042.00. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
“Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.” ONET OnLine (US Bureau of Labor), 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1042.00. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-1042 Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191042.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.