Education & Research
Research & Academia careers
50 careers in this family — each with a personality-fit profile built on the Big Five and RIASEC frameworks. Click any role to see who it suits and why.
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Stable Agricultural Scientist
Research & Academia
Conducts research on crop yields, soil health, pest management, and sustainable farming practices. Designs field experiments, analyses data,…
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Stable Animal Scientist
Research & Academia
Studies the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and behaviour of farm and companion animals to improve breeding programs and production. Desi…
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Stable Anthropologist
Research & Academia
Studies human cultures, societies, and evolutionary biology through fieldwork, interviews, and archival research. Publishes findings on topi…
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Stable Archaeologist
Research & Academia
Excavates, records, and analyses physical remains of past human activity to understand how people lived in different periods and places. Spe…
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Stable Archivist
Research & Academia
Preserves and catalogues historical documents, photographs, and digital records so they remain accessible for future research. Assesses the …
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Stable Astronomer
Research & Academia
Observes celestial objects using telescopes and satellite data to understand the origins and behaviour of stars, galaxies, and planetary sys…
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Stable Atmospheric Scientist
Research & Academia
Studies weather patterns, climate systems, and atmospheric phenomena using satellite imagery, radar, and computer models. Produces forecasts…
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Fast Growing Biologist
Research & Academia
Studies living organisms and ecosystems through fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and data analysis to understand life processes. Publishes…
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Stable Botanist
Research & Academia
Studies plant biology, classification, and ecology through fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Collects specimens, identifies species, maps v…
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Stable Chemist
Research & Academia
Investigates the composition, structure, and properties of substances through laboratory experimentation and analysis. Synthesises new compo…
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Fast Growing Climate Analyst
Research & Academia
Interprets atmospheric and oceanographic datasets to model future climate scenarios, producing forecasts and risk assessments that inform po…
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High Demand Computer and Information Research Scientist
Research & Academia
They design experiments, publish papers, and develop new algorithms or computational theories that push the boundaries of what computers can…
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Stable Conservation Scientist
Research & Academia
They study forests, rangelands, and other natural resources to develop plans that balance ecological health with land use. Fieldwork collect…
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Stable Curator
Research & Academia
They acquire, catalogue, and preserve collections for museums or galleries, shaping exhibitions that tell compelling stories. Research, gran…
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Fast Growing Ecologist
Research & Academia
Studies ecosystems by conducting field surveys, analysing species populations, and modelling environmental changes to advise on conservation…
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Stable Economics Teacher
Research & Academia
They deliver lectures on micro and macroeconomics, design course materials, and assess student work at the university level. Publishing rese…
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Fast Growing Economist
Research & Academia
They collect and analyse data on economic trends, build models, and publish research that informs policy or business strategy. Writing paper…
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Stable Entomologist
Research & Academia
Studies insects and their behaviour, life cycles, and interactions with ecosystems, crops, or human health. Collects field samples, identifi…
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Fast Growing Environmental Economist
Research & Academia
They analyse the financial costs and benefits of environmental policies, carbon markets, and sustainability initiatives. Building economic m…
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Stable Environmental Science Technician
Research & Academia
They set up monitoring equipment, collect water and soil samples in the field, and run laboratory tests to measure pollutant levels. Careful…
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Fast Growing Environmental Scientist
Research & Academia
They study the interactions between human activity and natural systems, conducting field research and analysing data to assess environmental…
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Stable Faculty Manager
Research & Academia
Manages the administrative and operational functions of a university faculty, coordinating academic schedules, budgets, staffing, and facili…
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Stable Forensic Science Technician
Research & Academia
Collects and analyses physical evidence from crime scenes, such as fingerprints, DNA, and trace materials. Prepares detailed reports and may…
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Fast Growing Geneticist
Research & Academia
Studies genes and heredity by conducting experiments, sequencing DNA, and analysing patterns of inheritance. Publishes research findings and…
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Fast Growing Geographer
Research & Academia
Studies the physical and human characteristics of places, from landforms and climate to population patterns and resource use. Analyses spati…
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Stable Heritage Consultant
Research & Academia
Assesses the cultural and historical significance of buildings, landscapes, or sites, preparing impact assessments and conservation manageme…
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Stable Historian
Research & Academia
Researches past events, cultures, and societies by examining archives, artifacts, and primary sources. Writes articles, books, or reports th…
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Fast Growing Hydrologist
Research & Academia
Studies the movement, distribution, and quality of water in rivers, aquifers, and rainfall systems. Collects field samples, builds computer …
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Fast Growing Industrial Ecologist
Research & Academia
Analyses material and energy flows through industrial systems to reduce waste and environmental impact. Develops strategies for recycling, c…
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Stable Laboratory Manager
Research & Academia
Runs the daily operations of a scientific or clinical laboratory, maintaining equipment, managing staff schedules, enforcing quality protoco…
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Stable Librarian
Research & Academia
Curates collections of books, databases, and digital resources and helps patrons find information for research, education, or personal inter…
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Stable Library Technician
Research & Academia
Assists librarians with cataloguing, shelving, and circulating materials while helping visitors locate resources. Processes interlibrary loa…
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Stable Marine Biologist
Research & Academia
Studies ocean organisms and ecosystems through diving surveys, boat-based sampling, and laboratory analysis. Monitors reef health, tracks an…
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Fast Growing Materials Scientist
Research & Academia
Conducts laboratory research into the properties and structures of substances at the atomic level to discover new materials or improve exist…
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Fast Growing Mathematician
Research & Academia
Develops new mathematical theories, concepts, and proofs, and applies quantitative models to solve problems across science, engineering, and…
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Fast Growing Medical Scientist
Research & Academia
Designs and conducts clinical research studies to investigate human diseases and develop treatments, vaccines, or diagnostic tools. Analyses…
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Stable Meteorologist
Research & Academia
Analyses atmospheric data from satellites, radar, and weather stations to produce forecasts and severe weather warnings. Runs computer model…
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Fast Growing Microbiologist
Research & Academia
Studies microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi to understand how they grow, interact, and affect human health or the env…
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Fast Growing Natural Sciences Manager
Research & Academia
Oversees teams of scientists and researchers, setting project goals, allocating budgets, and ensuring studies meet deadlines and regulatory …
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Fast Growing Nurse Researcher
Research & Academia
Conducts studies to improve nursing practice, patient outcomes, and healthcare delivery. Designs research protocols, collects and analyses c…
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Stable Paleontologist
Research & Academia
Excavates and studies fossilised remains to reconstruct the history of life on Earth, working both in the field and in laboratories. Publish…
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Fast Growing Physicist
Research & Academia
Investigates fundamental laws governing matter, energy, space, and time through theoretical models and laboratory experiments. Publishes res…
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Stable Political Scientist
Research & Academia
Studies political systems, public policies, and power dynamics at local, national, and international levels through data analysis and qualit…
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Stable Professor
Research & Academia
Teaches university courses, mentors graduate students, writes grant proposals, and conducts original research that is published in academic …
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Stable Research Scientist
Research & Academia
Designs experiments, collects data, and publishes findings that expand human knowledge in a specific field, spending long hours in the lab o…
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Fast Growing Social Science Research Assistant
Research & Academia
Supports academic researchers by collecting and organising data, conducting literature reviews, running statistical analyses, and preparing …
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Stable Sociologist
Research & Academia
Studies how societies function by designing research projects, collecting survey and observational data, analysing social patterns, and publ…
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Fast Growing Survey Researcher
Research & Academia
Designs questionnaires, plans sampling strategies, and analyses response data to measure public opinion, consumer preferences, or social tre…
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Stable University Administrator
Research & Academia
They oversee departments, manage enrolment processes, and coordinate academic programmes at the higher-education level. Strategic planning, …
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Stable Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist
Research & Academia
Studies animal behaviour, genetics, and ecosystems through fieldwork and laboratory research, collecting specimens and data to inform conser…
Free assessment
Which research & academia career fits you best?
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Take the free assessment →Frequently asked questions about Research & Academia careers
What kinds of roles are in Research & Academia?
Traitstack profiles 50 research & academia roles in the Education & Research sector, spanning a wide range — from Library Technician (median $42,000) through Sociologist ($85,000) to Natural Sciences Manager ($140,000).
What do Research & Academia careers pay?
Across the 50 research & academia roles profiled, median salaries run from about $42,000 (Library Technician) to $140,000 (Natural Sciences Manager), with a typical median of $85,000.
What personality suits Research & Academia careers?
Averaged across the 50 research & academia roles profiled, the field skews towards people who are open and curious — drawn to variety, ideas and new approaches (average Openness 81/100) and highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (average Conscientiousness 79/100). On interests, 44 of the 50 roles lead with an Investigative (I) profile.
Which Research & Academia careers have the best job outlook?
Of the 50 research & academia roles profiled, 20 are rated growing or excellent for outlook, including Biologist, Climate Analyst, Computer and Information Research Scientist and Ecologist.