Occupation Profile for Natural Sciences Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Signficant Points
- Most engineering and natural sciences managers have formal education and work experience as engineers, scientists, or mathematicians.
- Projected employment growth for engineering and natural sciences managers is closely related to growth in employment of the engineers and scientists they supervise and the industries in which they work.
- Opportunities will be best for workers with strong communication and business management skills.
Tasks
- Core — Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, and others to plan and review projects and to provide technical assistance.
- Core — Design and coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, and testing.
- Core — Plan and direct research, development, and production activities.
- Core — Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications or discuss project status.
- Core — Determine scientific and technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
Activities
- Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.