If you’re an economist searching for “Economist” jobs, there are many obviously and direct matches. But there may be many more PhD-level jobs that might take an Economist, or Anthropologist, or other social scientist, or perhaps anyone with a “Math, Physics, Economics, Computer Science, Statistics, Operations Research” background, as was noted in a recent Research Scientist open position at Upstart, an innovative financial company.
That is a wide net to cast for talent, but many companies do it. Why?
A typical candidate for many research scientist jobs is judged by skills, not domain expertise. Nobody generally cares about your dissertation. Sorry.
Here are a few skills we found in job descriptions for Research Scientists:
Technical and Analytical Skills
Research Methodology: Ability to design, conduct, and analyze experiments or studies using modern scientific methods1.
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Data Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing complex datasets, often using statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, STATA, SPSS, SQL) or programming languages (e.g., Python, C++)2.
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Specialized techniques: Depending on the field, expertise in specific laboratory techniques, computational methods, or instrumentation may be required3.
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Soft Skills
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Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Ability to approach scientific problems methodically and develop innovative solutions4.
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Attention to Detail: Precision in conducting experiments, recording data, and interpreting results is crucial5.
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Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for writing research papers, grant proposals, and presenting findings6.
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Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team7.
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Time Management: Managing multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities efficiently
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