Research Engineer vs. Research Scientist: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
A career in research can be both exciting and rewarding. If you’re interested in this field, you may be wondering if you should become a research engineer or research scientist. Both of these positions conduct research and develop new products or processes, but there are some key differences between them. In this article, we compare the job titles research engineer and research scientist, and we provide information on what you can expect from each role.
What is a Research Engineer?
Research Engineers are responsible for designing and conducting scientific experiments to test the feasibility of new engineering designs. They work in a variety of industries, such as the automotive, aerospace and medical fields. Research Engineers often specialize in a particular area, such as materials science or electrical engineering. They use their knowledge of physics, mathematics and chemistry to develop new products or improve existing ones. They also work on teams with other engineers and scientists to find solutions to complex problems. Research Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
What is a Research Scientist?
Research Scientists conduct experiments and analyze data to increase scientific knowledge. They develop new methods to collect data and improve upon existing techniques. Research Scientists typically specialize in a particular field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology or engineering. They use their expertise to develop new products or solve problems for their company or client. Research Scientists typically work in laboratories or offices, and they may work with other Scientists or technicians. They typically present their findings in reports or scientific papers.
Research Engineer vs. Research Scientist
Here are the main differences between a research engineer and a research scientist.
Job Duties
Research engineers typically perform more complex tasks than research scientists. They often supervise teams of researchers and study participants, manage research projects and develop experimental designs and procedures. Research engineers also conduct research themselves and use the data they collect to evaluate and improve existing engineering processes.
Research scientists usually have a narrower focus in their work than research engineers. They commonly perform three main duties: conducting scientific experiments, analyzing research data and writing scientific papers. These activities help research scientists contribute to their field of study and advance scientific knowledge.
Job Requirements
Research engineers and research scientists often need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science to enter the field. However, many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher. Additionally, research engineers and research scientists might need specific licenses or certifications to work with certain materials or in certain environments. For example, someone who wants to work with hazardous materials might need to obtain a license from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Work Environment
Research engineers work in a variety of environments, depending on the type of engineering they specialize in. For example, mechanical engineers often work in manufacturing facilities and construction sites to ensure that machines are safe for use. Civil engineers may work outdoors or in office buildings to design roads and bridges. Electrical engineers typically work in laboratories where they test electrical systems.
Research scientists usually work in an office environment, but some may travel to visit research locations. They also spend time in laboratories conducting experiments and analyzing data.
Skills
Both research engineers and research scientists need to have excellent problem-solving skills. This is because a large part of their job is finding solutions to problems that people or businesses are facing. They also both need to be able to effectively communicate their findings to other people, whether it is in writing through reports or papers or verbally through presentations.
Both research engineers and research scientists need to have strong analytical skills. This enables them to take data they have collected and use it to identify trends and make predictions. They also need to be able to think critically about the information they are working with and come up with creative solutions to problems.
Research engineers typically need to have more technical skills than research scientists. This is because they often work with designing and developing products or systems that address the needs that their research has identified. They may also need to have programming skills to create prototypes or models of their designs. Research scientists usually do not need to have as many technical skills, but they may benefit from having computer skills to help them analyze data.
Salary
Research engineers earn an average salary of $89,682 per year, while research scientists earn an average salary of $93,368 per year. Both of these salaries may vary depending on the type of research you’re doing, the size of the company you work for and the level of experience you have.