Occupation

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Human Advantage 68%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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.

Also Known As: AI Engineer (Artificial Intelligence Engineer), Applied Scientist, Artificial Intelligence Specialist (AI Specialist), Computational Linguist, Computational Scientist, Computational Theory Scientist, Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist +20 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
  2. Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
  3. Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
  4. Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
  5. Design computers and the software that runs them.
  6. Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
  7. Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
  8. Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
  9. Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
  10. Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
  11. Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
  2. Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
  3. Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
  4. Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
36%
Doctoral Degree
28%
Master's Degree
20%
Some College Courses
8%
Post-Doctoral Training
5%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
3%

Relevant College Majors

  • Computer Science CIP 11.0701Software development, algorithms, and computing theory.
  • Mathematics, General CIP 27.0101Mathematical theory and applied mathematics.

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Amazon DynamoDB
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
  • Amazon Redshift
  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Apache Cassandra
  • Apache Hadoop
  • Apache Hive
  • Apache Kafka
  • Apache Spark
  • Apache Subversion SVN
  • Bash
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Django
  • Docker
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Eclipse IDE
  • Elasticsearch
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Google Analytics
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • JavaScript
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • MongoDB
  • MySQL
  • NoSQL
  • Node.js
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle Java
  • Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE
  • PHP
  • Perl
  • PostgreSQL
  • Python
  • R
  • Ruby
  • SAS
  • Scala
  • Shell script
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Tableau
  • TensorFlow
  • Teradata Database
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Transact-SQL
  • UNIX
  • UNIX Shell

Software (144)

  • 3D graphics software
  • Ada
  • Advanced numerical software
  • Algorithmic software
  • Apache Flume
  • Apache HTTP Server
  • Apache Pig
  • Apache Solr
  • Augmint
  • Automated document generation software
  • CMake
  • Charm++
  • Chatbot software
  • Clustering software
  • Clustermatic
  • Computational statistics software
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
  • Data mining software
  • Data visualization software
  • Doxygen
  • Eiffel
  • Embarcadero JBuilder
  • Extensible stylesheet language transformations XSLT
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Google Ads
  • Graphics pipelines
  • Greenhills Ada compilers
  • High-performance software libraries
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
  • IBM Domino
  • IBM InfoSphere DataStage
  • IBM Rational Apex
  • IBM Rational Rose XDE
  • Integrated development environment IDE software
  • Intel Integrated Performance Primitives
  • Intel Math Kernel Library
  • Jupyter Notebook
  • List processing language LISP
  • Low-level virtual machine LLVM compilers
  • Mathematical software
  • MicroStrategy
  • Microsoft ActiveX
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
  • Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
  • Microsoft Visual C# .NET
  • Microsoft Visual Studio.NET
  • Microsoft Windows XP
  • Minitab
  • Multisensory data representation software
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Object oriented development environment software
  • Open Graphics Library OpenGL
  • OpenAI ChatGPT
  • Operating system software
  • Optimization software
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
  • Oracle Solaris
  • PTC Creo Parametric
  • Parallel systems software
  • Perforce Software Configuration Management System
  • Plug-in file software
  • Polaris parallelizing compilers
  • Polhemus Fasttrack System
  • Prolog
  • PyTorch
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • Quest Erwin Data Modeler
  • Relational database management software
  • Relational database management system software
  • Rice Simulator for ILP Multiprocessors RSIM
  • SAP Business Objects
  • Simulation software
  • Software libraries
  • Source code management SCM software
  • StataCorp Stata
  • System testing software
  • Ubuntu
  • Unified modeling language UML
  • VME PowerPC VxWorks
  • Verilog
  • Video editing software
  • Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis Weka

Tools & Equipment (33)

  • Articulated robots
  • Cluster systems
  • Computer laser printers
  • Computer scanners
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital video cameras
  • Distributed heterogeneous computers
  • File servers
  • Free-field speakers
  • Graphics workstations
  • Hard disk drives
  • High end computer servers
  • High-performance cluster HPC computers
  • High-speed networking testbeds
  • Image capture devices
  • Laser scanners
  • Lighting grids
  • Magneto optical discs
  • Mainframe computers
  • Massively parallel processors MPP
  • Microcomputers
  • Mobile robots
  • Network interface cards NIC
  • Network storage arrays
  • Pan-tilt-zoom cameras
  • Personal computers
  • Quarter inch cartridge QIC tapes
  • Real time motion capture systems
  • Render farms
  • Stereographic projectors
  • Universal serial bus USB flash drives
  • Video projectors
  • Web servers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Web & Cloud Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Zone 5
Computer and Information Research Scientists You are here

Data Science & AI Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 5
Computer and Information Research Scientists You are here

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