Science & Research
Research generates the new knowledge other industries commercialise. Work spans universities, national labs and corporate R&D, and rewards persistence and methodological care.
Careers
33
Salary range
R240k – R910k
Demand
Moderate; funding-dependent but strong in applied fields.
Why this industry matters
Today's research is the raw material of tomorrow's industries.
Major career pathways
- Research scientist
- Lab manager
- Science communicator
- R&D specialist
- Academic
Career map
Study
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Entry roles
- Research scientist
- Lab manager
- Science communicator
Specialise
- Experimental design
- Statistics
- Lab technique
Lead
- R&D specialist
- Academic
Typical employers & featured organisations
Universities
Hires across science & research roles at graduate and experienced level.
National research councils
Hires across science & research roles at graduate and experienced level.
Pharma and agri R&D
Hires across science & research roles at graduate and experienced level.
Museums
Hires across science & research roles at graduate and experienced level.
Qualifications & certifications
Required qualifications
- BSc + Honours; MSc or PhD for independent research
Professional certifications
- Good Laboratory Practice
- Biosafety certification
Skills that get you hired
Technical skills
- Experimental design
- Statistics
- Lab technique
- Scientific writing
- Critical thinking
Soft skills
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Time management
Salary progression
Entry level
R240k – R360k
Mid level
R380k – R600k
Senior level
R630k – R910k
Career progression timeline
Years 0–2
Learn the fundamentals in an entry role such as research scientist.
Years 2–5
Specialise. Depth in experimental design and statistics is what moves your salary.
Years 5–10
Lead projects or teams, or move into academic.
Years 10+
Senior specialist, management or independent consulting — the pay bands diverge sharply here.
Future trends & emerging technology
- Open science
- AI-accelerated discovery
- Interdisciplinary labs
How AI is changing this industry
Literature review and simulation accelerate sharply; hypothesis and experiment design stay human-led.
Where to study
University degrees
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Environmental Science
TVET & vocational
- Laboratory technician diplomas
- Analytical chemistry certificates
Online learning
- edX science series
- Research methods MOOCs
Internships, apprenticeships & graduate programmes
- Graduate programmes at large employers
- Structured internships (3–12 months)
- Apprenticeships and learnerships
- Volunteer and community projects