How to Become a Researcher

October 22, 2024
To become a researcher, research is important for gaining knowledge and solving problems in many areas, such as academics, sciences, businesses, society, and other fields. Researchers work on certain specific topics or questions systematically. A research career could be great if you have a curious mind, love problem-solving, and are interested in discovery. This article is a comprehensive guide that will reveal how to become a researcher, the qualifications, and the essential skills needed to make you stand out.

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become a researcher

To become a researcher, research is important for gaining knowledge and solving problems in many areas, such as academics, sciences, businesses, society, and other fields. Researchers work on certain specific topics or questions systematically. A research career could be great if you have a curious mind, love problem-solving, and are interested in discovery. This article is a comprehensive guide that will reveal how to become a researcher, the qualifications, and the essential skills needed to make you stand out.

What Does a Researcher Do?

Researchers collect, analyse and interpret data to answer specific questions or test new theories. They can work in academia as civil servants, private businesses, hospitals, medical centres, charities, or other non-profit organisations. Tasks for a researcher on any given day will differ depending on their area of research, but some key responsibilities include:

  • Design and conduct research studies: Researchers form hypotheses to test, create research methodology, and experiment, survey, or study participants to collect data.
  • Interpretation of Data: Researchers must interpret the information to draw conclusions after collecting and analysing data.
  • Keeping Up with the Literature: As a researcher, you must keep up with the existing literature. This means reading the latest papers and studies about your research topic. It’s important to do this so you know what’s already been done and can build on that information in your work.
  • Writing Reports and Papers: Researchers write papers, academic articles or books to summarise their findings and contribute to the body of knowledge in their field.
  • Presenting Findings: This step involves reporting the findings to the broader scientific or professional community (e.g., at a conference, workshop, or academic journal).
  • Working as Part of a Team: Research often involves collaboration with others, including colleagues and sometimes with people from a different discipline.
  • Applying for Funding: Many researchers apply for grants or funding through a government agency, university, or private organisation to conduct a study.

become a researcher

Types of Researchers

There are many different types of researchers, depending on the sector/field in which they work. Some types are:

  • Academic Researchers: Work at universities or research institutions; often specialise in one branch of knowledge (biology, engineering, sociology, economics, etc) and combine teaching with research.
  • Scientific Researchers: Experiment or study in the field of science, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science, in a laboratory, university, research institution, or with a private company.
  • Market Researcher: Conducts research into consumer preferences, market trends and the effectiveness of marketing strategies for businesses and corporations.
  • Medical Research: A health and medicine category dealing with treating patients and research on illnesses, with clinical trials and studies.
  • Social Science Researchers: Study human behaviour, social patterns, and cultural trends. They work in psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and other fields.
  • Government and Policy Researchers: Study public policies, social programmes, and economic data to help government make decisions and improve public programmes.

Average Researcher Salary in the UK

The salary of a researcher in the UK is regulated by the area of the research, the researcher’s experience level, and the degree of specialisation.

A postgraduate research assistant with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can expect to earn between £20,000 and £30,000 per year as an entry-level researcher.

Mid-level researchers, such as those with a PhD or a few years of experience, earn between £35,000 and £50,000.

Salaries for senior researchers or those running large research programmes (especially in the private sector or health sectors) can be more than £60,000; some salaries for more specialised or managerial positions exceed £80,000.

become a researcher

Key Skills for a Successful Researcher

To become a successful researcher, it’s important not only to have more technical, analytical and interpersonal skills but also to demonstrate a range of imperative competencies such as:

  • Analytical Thinking: At the most basic level, researchers must be able to analyse complex information, interpret data, and draw meaningful conclusions from their observations.
  • Close to the detail: Getting the details right is crucial in research, whether when designing experiments, collecting data, or writing up results. Errors can easily have a big impact.
  • Problem-solving skills: Research typically involves formulating a question or issue to solve or developing answers to previously unanswered questions. Working through these issues and developing new approaches or solutions can require considerable creativity and perseverance.
  • Communication Skills: You need to be able to write up your research so that others can understand it (for example, for publication in a journal, when giving presentations to colleagues, or at conferences).
  • Data Skills: Ability to write queries in statistical software packages, spreadsheets or other data analysis tools to analyse and draw conclusions from the results.
  • Project Management: Research projects can be large and complicated and involve a large number of project members. Project management skills are necessary for keeping the research on track and meeting deadlines.
  • Critical Thinking: Scientists need to assess data, methods, and conclusions in the context of their own work and ensure competence in current work in their field.
  • Teamwork and Cooperation: Most research projects are undertaken in teams, so it is essential to be able to work effectively with others.
  • Time Management: Research is a multitasking job, so you must divide your time between reading literature, conducting experiments, writing papers, and applying for grants.
  • Curiosity and Passion for Discovery: Researchers must possess a natural curiosity and a desire to learn. They must also possess an intrinsic motivation to answer questions and solve problems, which propels most successful researchers.

become a researcher

Steps to Become a Researcher in the UK

Here’s how you can become a researcher in the UK:

  1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree: The first step toward becoming a researcher is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the area you want to research. For example, if you’re interested in scientific research, you would study biology, chemistry, or physics. For social sciences, degrees in sociology, political science, or psychology would be suitable.
    During your undergraduate degree, focus on building a strong foundation in research methodologies, data analysis, and critical thinking.
  2. Pursue a Master’s Degree (Optional): While not always required, many researchers pursue a master’s degree to gain specialized knowledge and enhance their research skills. A master’s degree allows you to dive deeper into your chosen field and often includes a research project or thesis, giving you practical experience in conducting research.
    Some industries, like market research or government research, may hire bachelor’s degree graduates directly, but a master’s can improve your prospects and open more doors.
  3. Gain Research Experience: Gaining hands-on experience is critical to becoming a successful researcher. Many universities offer undergraduate research assistant positions, where students can assist professors or graduate students with ongoing research projects. This experience will give you a valuable introduction to research techniques and methodologies.
    Internships or part-time roles in research settings, such as think tanks, research firms, or academic institutions, are also excellent ways to gain experience. Volunteering for research roles in non-profits or joining university research societies can also provide relevant experience.
  4. Pursue a PhD: A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is often required for advanced research positions, particularly in academia or scientific research. A PhD typically takes between three to five years to complete and involves conducting original research in your chosen field, writing a thesis, and defending your findings in front of a committee.
    During a PhD program, you will become an expert in your area of research, publish papers, and present your work at conferences. Completing a PhD demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and contribute to your field’s body of knowledge.
  5. Apply for Research Positions: After obtaining your qualifications and gaining research experience, you can begin applying for research positions. Depending on your field, you can find research roles in academia, industry, government, or non-profit organizations.
    In academia, research positions often start as postdoctoral research fellows, where you’ll continue to develop your research skills under the supervision of senior researchers. In other sectors, you might work as a research analyst, research scientist, or research consultant.
  6. Develop Expertise in Data Analysis and Research Tools: Researchers rely heavily on tools like SPSS, R, STATA, or Excel for data analysis, as well as specialized software in scientific fields. Familiarizing yourself with these tools early on will give you a significant advantage. Additionally, learning how to design experiments or surveys and developing statistical expertise is important for many research positions.
  7. Continue Professional Development: Research is an evolving field, and continuous learning is essential. Attend conferences, participate in workshops, and stay up-to-date with the latest research developments in your field. Many researchers also pursue additional certifications or professional courses in data analysis, project management, or specific research methodologies to enhance their skills.

become a researcher

Tips for Aspiring Researchers

  • Stay Curious and Read Widely: A lot of research involves learning new areas and combining knowledge that already exists. Stay curious, and read the latest in the field from time to time.
  • Networking: Networking with other researchers is a great way to get involved with research and make connections, which can increase your chances of getting published. Talk to people, meet with other researchers, present your results at conferences and research groups, and discuss your research with your peers.
  • Publish Your Work: If you plan to advance toward an academic career, one of the best ways to build credibility is to publish your work in peer-reviewed journals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become a Researcher?

You can help solve real-world problems, develop new sciences, or impact policy decisions. Becoming a researcher can be a tremendously rewarding career if you like to think, analyse data, and explore ideas. Researchers can make a difference in the world: they can develop new treatments in medicine, for example, shape social policies or build new technologies.

Is a Career as a Researcher Right for You?

A research career is a good choice for curious, analytical and detail-oriented people. Do you enjoy uncovering the causes of difficult problems, working independently or in teams, and learning new things? If so, then research might be right for you. Additionally, it helps if you are resilient because research can involve long periods of trial and error, and not every study yields the results we want.

What Are the Salary Prospects for Researchers in the UK?

Salaries in UK research careersA graduate research assistant, at the start of his or her career, will earn a starting salary of £20,000-30,000, or for a higher degree, a mid-level researcher can expect an annual salary of £35,000-50,000. Those in the private sector with senior positions or who work as leaders of research teams or research programmes may earn £60,000 or more. Top-level researchers, especially in specialist fields, can earn £80,000 yearly.

What Qualifications Are Needed to Become a Researcher?

To become a researcher, you generally need a university degree. To become a researcher at a senior level, a master’s degree or doctoral degree may be necessary, particularly if you want to work as a researcher in academia or the sciences. Strong analytical skills, knowledge, and experience in research methods are also very important. They can be acquired through education, internships or work placements.

Do You Need Work Experience to Start a Career as a Researcher?

Absolutely. Building a career as a researcher requires some work experience with the research process. Many research jobs require candidates to have experience with the actual, hands-on work of data collection, analysis and reporting. For this reason, internships, working as a research assistant, or volunteering for a research project are all options for gaining experience during your academic studies. Knowing how to engage with some of the practical tools of the trade, such as statistical software, is also helpful.

What Is the Career Outlook for Researchers?

In the UK, the employment outlook for researchers in health, technology, social sciences and environmental studies is good. The healthcare sector, for example, will continue to depend on using research results to inform public health measures and individual medical treatment. Similarly, the private sector will continue to increase its demand for research expertise, for example, in evaluating the environmental or cultural impacts of new developments, as more and more industries seek to base their decisions on evidence. In the academic sector, the number of researchers working in universities and research institutes will continue to grow as universities develop new knowledge, ideas, and innovations.

What Are the Career Progression Options for Researchers?

It can also help researchers gain experience and develop their careers through substantial research projects. In academia, career advancement often involves moving up the research and teaching hierarchy from research assistant to postdoctoral researcher, lecturer, full professor, or research director. In the private sector, researchers can become managers of a research team, research managers, or even chief research officers. Many successful researchers also move to consulting roles, providing their expertise to companies or government agencies.

What Are the Exit Options and Opportunities Beyond the Researcher Role?

The research skills you learn – critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving, and project management – are highly portable and can be applied in other careers. Most researchers go on to work as data analysts, policy advisors, consultants or lecturers. You could become a manager working in research institutions or government departments or in science journalism and communication, where you share research findings with the rest of us. Some researchers start their businesses by applying their research to create new products, technologies, or services.

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