Natural Sciences Managers

Course Advisor, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor seeks a Natural Sciences Manager to oversee activities in life sciences, physical sciences, and research development. The role involves project management, coordination of research activities, and collaboration with scientists and engineers. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in a scientific field, has experience in research, and is skilled in various tools like Microsoft Office and SQL. Salaries range from $65,000 to $208,000, depending on experience and industry.

Qualifications

• Typically holds a bachelor’s degree in a scientific field; advanced degrees preferred.
• Field experience in research and development is often required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in life sciences and research.
• Design or coordinate problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
• Review project activities and prepare operational reports.

Skills

Writing

Reading Comprehension

Speaking

Active Listening

Critical Thinking

Judgment and Decision Making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field

Advanced degrees or certifications preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Office

SQL

The MathWorks MATLAB

SAS

IBM SPSS Statistics

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Job description

Natural Sciences Manager

What does it take to be a Natural Sciences Manager?

Career Description Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development.

A Day in the Life of a Natural Sciences Manager

• Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
• Provide stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, study land use, monitor animal populations, or provide shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals.
• Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
• Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
• Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
• Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.

Skills and Abilities

• Writing – communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the audience.
• Reading Comprehension – understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work‑related documents.
• Speaking – talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Listening – giving full attention, understanding points, asking appropriate questions, and not interrupting unnecessarily.
• Critical Thinking – using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making – considering costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Types of Natural Sciences Manager

• Water Team Leader
• Research Director
• Development Coordinator
• Research Manager
• Geological Manager

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Visio
• Adobe Photoshop
• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• The MathWorks MATLAB
• SAS
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Graphics software
• Stata
• IBM Lotus 1‑2‑3
• Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• STATISTICA
• Oracle DBMS

Career Path

Natural Sciences Managers typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a scientific field; advanced degrees or certifications are preferred for senior roles. Field experience in research and development is often required.

Common employers include laboratories, universities, government agencies, and private industry organizations.

Career transitions can lead to positions such as Zoologist, Wildlife Biologist, or other scientific management roles.

Compensation and Outlook

In the United States, there were 56,700 Natural Sciences Manager jobs in 2016, with a projected growth rate of approximately 9.9% per year. Salaries range from $65,000 to $208,000, depending on state and industry.