Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Prepares and analyzes organ, tissue, and cell samples to study disease, toxicity, and cell structure, following strict safety rules when handling toxic materials. Studies also test how drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms affect living systems, and they may develop new lab methods, instruments, and procedures. Findings are written for journals and explained to other scientists and the public; grant applications and teaching of medical and lab methods to physicians, residents, students, and technicians are common. The work is mostly in research settings that mix lab work with writing and study planning. Suits people who like careful lab technique, long investigations, and turning results into papers and teaching.
Typical education: Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$103'410
Median Wage Market Position
$103'410
What you might do
- Lead studies of human disease and treatments
- Test how drugs and microbes affect living tissue
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples
- Follow safety rules when handling toxic materials
- Teach lab methods to students and physicians
- Write journal papers and research grant applications
Skills that matter
- Planning and directing disease studies
- Analyzing organ and tissue samples
- Evaluating drug and pesticide effects
- Writing journal articles and grant applications
- Teaching medicine and lab procedures
- Following safety rules with toxic materials
AI & the future of this role
AI may speed literature review, trial data analysis, and early hypothesis screening. Clinical judgment, experimental design, regulatory accountability, and hands-on investigation still anchor much of the research pipeline.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details