# Computer and Information Research Scientists

> 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 15-1221.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Computer Scientist
- Computer Specialist
- Control System Computer Scientist
- Research Scientist
- Scientific Programmer Analyst
- AI Engineer (Artificial Intelligence Engineer)
- Applied Scientist
- Artificial Intelligence Specialist (AI Specialist)
- Computational Linguist
- Computational Scientist
- Computational Theory Scientist
- Computer Vision Scientist

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.f |
| Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.2.j |
| Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. | Core | 4.A.4.b.1.a |
| Design computers and the software that runs them. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.d |
| Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues. | Core | 4.A.2.a.1.j |
| Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.b |
| Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments. | Supplemental | 4.A.4.b.4.e |
| Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures. | Core | 4.A.2.b.2.v |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems. | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Assign duties or work schedules to employees. | 4.A.4.b.1.f |
| Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility. | 4.A.2.a.1.j |
| Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems. | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details. | 4.A.4.a.2.h |
| Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues. | 4.A.4.b.1.a |
| Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables. | 4.A.2.a.4.d |
| Develop organizational goals or objectives. | 4.A.2.b.2.v |
| Train others in computer interface or software use. | 4.A.4.b.3.e |
| Participate in staffing decisions. | 4.A.4.c.2.a |
| Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology. | 4.A.3.b.2.a |
| Design integrated computer systems. | 4.A.2.b.2.b |
| Monitor the performance of computer networks. | 4.A.1.a.2.j |
| Maintain computer hardware. | 4.A.3.b.5.c |
| Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists. | 4.A.4.a.2.b |
| Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation. | 4.A.4.b.4.h |
| Manage information technology projects or system activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.e |
| Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 4.57 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 4.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 4.12 |
| Mathematics | knowledge | 4.06 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Engineering and Technology | knowledge | 3.95 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.89 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.88 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.88 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Systems Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.75 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.75 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Programming | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| Systems Evaluation | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| Originality | ability | 3.62 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Mathematics | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | ability | 3.38 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.3 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.27 |
| Number Facility | ability | 3.25 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.25 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.25 |
| Science | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Operations Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Technology Design | transferable_skill | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| TensorFlow | Specialized Skill |
| Linux | Specialized Skill |
| Kubernetes | Specialized Skill |
| Github | Specialized Skill |
| Apache Spark | Specialized Skill |
| Apache Kafka | Specialized Skill |
| Apache Hadoop | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Unix Shell | Specialized Skill |
| Unix | Specialized Skill |
| Transact-SQL | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Shell Script | Specialized Skill |
| Redis | Specialized Skill |
| PostgreSQL | Specialized Skill |
| Node.js | Specialized Skill |
| NoSQL | Specialized Skill |
| MySQL | Specialized Skill |
| MongoDB | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Visual Studio | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Project | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Amazon Web Services AWS software | Data base user interface and query software | yes | yes |
| Ansible software | Expert system software | yes | yes |
| Apache Hadoop | Data base management system software | yes | yes |
| Apache Kafka | Development environment software | yes | yes |
| Apache Spark | Business intelligence and data analysis software | yes | yes |
| Bash | Operating system software | yes | yes |
| C | Development environment software | yes | yes |
| C++ | Object or component oriented development software | yes | yes |
| Docker | Application server software | yes | yes |
| Git | File versioning software | yes | yes |
| GitHub | Application server software | yes | yes |
| Go | Development environment software | yes | yes |
| Grafana Labs Grafana Cloud | Graphical user interface development software | yes | yes |
| IBM Terraform | Configuration management software | yes | yes |
| JavaScript | Web platform development software | yes | yes |
| Jenkins CI | Enterprise application integration software | yes | yes |
| Kubernetes | Application server software | yes | yes |
| Linux | Operating system software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Azure software | Development environment software | yes | yes |
| Oracle Java | Object or component oriented development software | yes | yes |
| Prometheus | Data base user interface and query software | yes | yes |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software | yes | yes |
| PyTorch | Data base user interface and query software | yes | yes |
| R | Object or component oriented development software | yes | yes |
| Scala | Object or component oriented development software | yes | yes |
| Snowflake | Data mining software | yes | yes |
| Structured query language SQL | Data base user interface and query software | yes | yes |
| TensorFlow | Analytical or scientific software | yes | yes |
| Amazon DynamoDB | Data base management system software | yes | no |
| Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Amazon Redshift | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation | Cloud-based management software | yes | no |
| Apache Airflow | Procedure management software | yes | no |
| Apache Cassandra | Data base management system software | yes | no |
| Apache Hive | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Apache Subversion SVN | File versioning software | yes | no |
| C# | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| Chef | Configuration management software | yes | no |
| Django | Web platform development software | yes | no |
| Eclipse IDE | Development environment software | yes | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| E-Mail | 5 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.78 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.69 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 4.53 |
| Contact With Others | 4.44 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.44 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.38 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.17 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.98 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.96 |
| Time Pressure | 3.71 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.66 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.56 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.42 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.32 |
| Level of Competition | 3.31 |
| Public Speaking | 3.13 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.03 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.81 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 2.75 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.61 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.59 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.45 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.32 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.3 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.22 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.18 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.14 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.12 |
| Spend Time Standing | 1.77 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 1.63 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 1.57 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 1.43 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 1.4 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 1.34 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 1.27 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 1.27 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 1.23 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 1.2 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.18 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 5
- **Job Zone Name:** 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.
- **Svp Range:** (8.0 and above)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Doctoral Degree | 28.42 |
| Master's Degree | 19.93 |
| Some College Courses | 8.35 |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.5 |
| First Professional Degree | 2.58 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Dependability | work_style | 7 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 6.44 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 6 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 5.42 |
| Intellectual Curiosity | work_style | 5 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.8 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 4.51 |
| Achievement Orientation | work_style | 4 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 3.74 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 3.01 |
| Perseverance | work_style | 3 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 2.95 |
| Innovation | work_style | 2.83 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.76 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 2.49 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 15-2051.00 | role-15-2051-00 | Data Scientists | Primary-Short |
| 15-2021.00 | role-15-2021-00 | Mathematicians | Primary-Short |
| 15-1252.00 | role-15-1252-00 | Software Developers | Primary-Short |
| 15-1251.00 | role-15-1251-00 | Computer Programmers | Primary-Short |
| 15-2031.00 | role-15-2031-00 | Operations Research Analysts | Primary-Short |
| 15-1299.08 | role-15-1299-08 | Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | Primary-Long |
| 15-1211.00 | role-15-1211-00 | Computer Systems Analysts | Primary-Long |
| 15-2099.01 | role-15-2099-01 | Bioinformatics Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 19-1029.01 | role-19-1029-01 | Bioinformatics Scientists | Primary-Long |
| 15-1243.00 | role-15-1243-00 | Database Architects | Primary-Long |
| 11-9121.00 | role-11-9121-00 | Natural Sciences Managers | Supplemental |
| 17-2031.00 | role-17-2031-00 | Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Digital Technology | digital-technology |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Master's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | biological-and-biomedical-sciences |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | computer-and-information-sciences-and-support-services |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | multi-interdisciplinary-studies |
| Physical Sciences | physical-sciences |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 140910
- **Mean Wage:** 152310
- **Pct10Wage:** 80670
- **Pct25Wage:** 102710
- **Pct75Wage:** 181210
- **Pct90Wage:** 232120
- **Employment:** 38480
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 17520 | 140910 | 6.52 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 4230 | 219620 | 5.83 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 2160 | 88700 | 0.63 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 1680 | 172590 | 0.53 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 1040 | 156830 | 3.6 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 660 | 174900 | 0.44 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 540 | 160820 | 0.77 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 440 | 138590 | 0.2 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 270 | 130460 | 0.41 |
| 52 | 52 | Finance and Insurance | Sector | 260 | 136420 | 0.17 |
| 541720 | 541720 | Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | National industry | 130 | 138530 | 8.57 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 110 | 92660 | 0.02 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541720 | 541720 | Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | National industry | 130 | 8.57 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 17520 | 6.52 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 4230 | 5.83 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 1040 | 3.6 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 540 | 0.77 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 2160 | 0.63 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 1680 | 0.53 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 660 | 0.44 |
- **Count:** 16

## Ai Signals


## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 67
- **Percentile:** 67
- **Band:** High
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 76 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 58 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 2

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.8846153846153847 | 76 | High | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.16925897236942583 | 58 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.38461538461538464
- **Beta:** 0.6346153846153847
- **Gamma:** 0.8846153846153847

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers. | 0.7552103660916399 | 3.61 |
| Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software. | 0.12273580681075884 | 4.24 |
| Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements. | 0.07343606851020298 | 3.35 |
| Design computers and the software that runs them. | 0.009449116507606539 | 3.63 |
| Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures. | 0.005032681618181743 | 3.2 |
| Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses. | 0.0033893570081632153 | 3.89 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 19.7
- **Growth Percentile:** 98
- **Direction:** Growing fast
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 3.2
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 39
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 40.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 48.3

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 15
- **Skills:** 83
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 164
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** caee0783b6ab1b5b