Computer and Information Research Scientists
15-1221.00
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Sample of reported job titles: Control System Computer Scientist, Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
- Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
- Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
- Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.
- Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
- Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
- Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
- Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.
Technology Skills
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Analytical or scientific software -
Advanced numerical software; Algorithmic software; Augmint; Computational statistics software; Data visualization software; IBM SPSS Statistics π₯; Intel Math Kernel Library; Mathematical software; Minitab; Multisensory data representation software; Optimization software; Polhemus Fasttrack System; Rice Simulator for ILP Multiprocessors RSIM; SAS π₯; Simulation software; StataCorp Stata; The MathWorks MATLAB
- Application server software - Docker π₯; GitHub π₯
- Business intelligence and data analysis software - Apache Spark π₯; IBM Cognos Impromptu; MicroStrategy; Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition; Qlik Tech QlikView; Tableau π₯
- Cloud-based management software - Splunk Enterprise π₯
- Clustering software - Clustering software; Clustermatic; Parallel systems software
- Communications server software - IBM Domino
- Compiler and decompiler software - Greenhills Ada compilers; Low-level virtual machine LLVM compilers; Polaris parallelizing compilers
- Computer aided design CAD software - Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; PTC Creo Parametric
- Configuration management software - IBM Rational Apex; Perforce Software Configuration Management System
- Data base management system software - Apache Solr; Amazon DynamoDB π₯; Apache Cassandra π₯; Apache Flume; Apache Hadoop π₯; Apache Pig; Elasticsearch π₯; MongoDB π₯; MySQL π₯; NoSQL π₯; Oracle Database π₯; Relational database management software; Relational database management system software; Teradata Database π₯
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Data base user interface and query software -
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 π₯; Amazon Redshift π₯; Amazon Web Services AWS software π₯; Apache Hive π₯; Microsoft SQL Server π₯; PyTorch; Structured query language SQL ; Transact-SQL π₯
- Data mining software - Data mining software; Google Analytics π₯
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Development environment software -
Ada; Apache Kafka π₯; Automated document generation software; C ; CMake; Doxygen; Eclipse IDE π₯; Embarcadero JBuilder; Formula translation/translator FORTRAN; High-performance software libraries; IBM Rational Rose XDE; Integrated development environment IDE software; Intel Integrated Performance Primitives; List processing language LISP; Microsoft Azure software π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript; Microsoft Visual Studio π₯; Microsoft Visual Studio.NET; National Instruments LabVIEW; OpenAI ChatGPT; Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE π₯; Prolog; Ruby π₯; Software libraries; Source code management SCM software; Verilog
- Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML π₯; IBM InfoSphere DataStage
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Microsoft Dynamics π₯; SAP Business Objects
- File versioning software - Apache Subversion SVN π₯; Git π₯
- Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software π₯; Geographic information system GIS software
- Graphical user interface development software - Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis Weka
- Graphics or photo imaging software - 3D graphics software; Graphics pipelines; Open Graphics Library OpenGL
- Industrial control software - TensorFlow
- Metadata management software - Quest Erwin Data Modeler
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Object or component oriented development software -
C# π₯; C++ ; Charm++; Eiffel; Jupyter Notebook; Microsoft ActiveX; Microsoft Visual Basic.NET; Microsoft Visual C# .NET; Object oriented development environment software; Oracle Java ; Perl π₯; Python ; R ; Scala π₯
- Object oriented data base management software - PostgreSQL π₯
- Office suite software - Microsoft Office software π₯
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Operating system software -
Bash π₯; Linux ; Microsoft Windows XP; Operating system software; Oracle Solaris; Shell script π₯; Ubuntu; UNIX π₯; UNIX Shell π₯; VME PowerPC VxWorks
- Portal server software - Apache HTTP Server
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Project management software - Microsoft Project π₯
- Requirements analysis and system architecture software - Unified modeling language UML
- Sales and marketing software - Google Ads
- Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel π₯
- Video creation and editing software - Video editing software
- Web page creation and editing software - Plug-in file software
- Web platform development software - Django π₯; Extensible stylesheet language transformations XSLT; JavaScript π₯; Node.js π₯; PHP π₯
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
- Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
- Assign duties or work schedules to employees.
- Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
- Design integrated computer systems.
- Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
- Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
- Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Develop organizational goals or objectives.
- Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
- Monitor the performance of computer networks.
- Maintain computer hardware.
- Manage information technology projects or system activities.
- Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
- Train others in computer interface or software use.
- Participate in staffing decisions.
- Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.