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- Lead teams of scientists, engineers and technical staff to create new products
- You'll need the ability to solve problems, leadership and motivational skills
- You could become a senior project manager or research director
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Recruiting staff
- Assessing staff performance
- Coordinating the team's work
- Analysing data and presenting results
- Making sure work meets safety standards and other relevant legislation
- Managing budgets
- Reporting to senior managers
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could be based in a factory, laboratory or a university. There may be some travel to meetings and conferences, and this could be overseas.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with the ability to solve problems, leadership and motivational skills, project management skills, communications skills, IT skills.
You'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification to become a research and development manager. The subject you take will depend on which research area you want to work in but common examples include: engineering, Product design, industrial design, science, medicine, healthcare, or mathematics. You'll also need several years' relevant experience in industry, with an understanding of research methods, data analysis and development processes.
You'll usually be a member of a professional body relevant to your particular line of work.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience in industry, you could become a senior project manager or research director. In higher education, you could become a senior research fellow or professor.