Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on
Applied science is an exciting field with growing demand. Explore details of what an applied scientist career is like, including the required skills and background, the average applied scientist salary, and how to work in different applied scientist jobs.
Applied scientists benefit nearly every industry since they're responsible for finding ways to use technology to improve our lives. They often work in teams with professionals across various disciplines covering a range of fields. Applied scientist roles are great options for people who want to contribute to improving business processes and making a difference in other people’s lives. They can work on specialized or elite projects and create new technologies that improve the landscape of science.
If you’re interested in optics, electrical engineering, material science, or machine learning, consider becoming an applied scientist.
What is an applied scientist?
Applied scientists have in-depth knowledge of one or more scientific fields, use methods and research skills to solve real-world problems, and help businesses meet their objectives. They typically devote their time to developing new technologies, devices, and processes that help improve the landscape of their industry and the quality of life. Unlike other types of science, which involve posing theoretical questions, applied science finds practical solutions and functional applications for its results.
Applied science is an overarching term for scientists who work with various scientific methodologies to create new inventions or processes that improve daily lives. Applied scientists tend to work in private sector industries, such as health care, banking, engineering, or technology, to devise innovative solutions that advance their field or focus of study.
Read more: Your Guide to the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree
What does an applied scientist do?
Applied scientists use scientific research and studies to innovate solutions to real-world scenarios and challenges. In this article, we’ve highlighted three different types of applied scientist roles to show the breadth and range of this field.
Applied scientist tasks and responsibilities
Applied scientist duties are as varied as the jobs themselves, and your tasks will differ depending on the type of applied scientist job you have. You may travel, in some instances, to further your research or create models and work with algorithms to improve existing solutions and processes. To illustrate the range of duties you may encounter, we’ve gathered examples of typical duties in aerospace, biomedical, and statistics:
1. Aerospace engineering
Draft and test designs for spacecraft, aircraft, and missiles
Perform tests and procedures to find any faults in designs
Research and report on new technologies
Create reports, manuals, and process documents
2. Biomedical engineering
Design equipment to help diagnose and treat medical conditions
Design and build artificial limbs and organs
Install, maintain, and repair various medical equipment
Act as medical science liaison to other professionals
3. Statistician
Create polls, questionnaires, and surveys
Analyze data to help make decisions
Use statistics to solve real-world problems
Use mathematics to interpret data and draw conclusions
Applied scientist skills
To be successful, you’ll need a robust skill set that includes technical and workplace skills. Technical skills represent the practical aspects of your role, while workplace skills contribute to how productive you are in a work environment.
Although the specific skills required for an applied scientist position depend on the type of role, some general skills include:
Technical skills
Ability to create and implement algorithms and models
Data analysis and visualization
Experience with design software and different operating systems
Computational software experience, such as MATLAB
Familiarity with engineering processes
Mathematics and analytical skills
Experience working with sensitive information
Workplace skills
Strong attention to detail
Critical thinking and fast action to address issues as they arise
Collaboration with teams and clients
Communication skills
Applied science and AI
Applied science uses artificial intelligence, or AI, to support different machine learning processes to create real-world solutions and practical applications. It helps process data across multiple types of applied science and helps scientists innovate in cutting-edge and novel ways, such as mapping poverty levels or developing technologies never seen before. AI helps make sense of large data sets and creates accelerated research processes.
Applied scientist salary and job outlook
As an applied scientist, you can anticipate earning a robust salary. However, the average salary differs based on the industry that you work in. According to Lightcast™, the average salary for applied scientists working in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and statistics in the US are as follows:
Aerospace engineers make an average annual salary of $128,192 [1]. The job growth for this role is about 6 percent, which is above average [2].
Biomedical engineers make an average annual salary of $108,056 [3]. The job growth for this role is about 5 percent, which is faster than average [4].
Statisticians make an average annual salary of $104,713 [5]. The job growth for this role is about 30 percent, which is significantly higher than the average across all professions [6].
Applied scientist career path
Due to the varied nature of applied science, you can find roles in nearly any field you're interested in, which also provides a career path with many options. You’ll generally want a strong mathematics, engineering, or computer background. Then, you’ll need to examine the specifics of the role you want to pursue.
Education and training
Some examples of the specific education and training you’ll need for different applied scientist careers include:
1. Aerospace engineer
To become an aerospace engineer, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in physics, mechanical engineering, or astronomy. Some candidates get advanced degrees in aerospace engineering to make themselves more competitive. Experience with different aircraft and spacecraft is helpful, and you might need security clearance based on your company’s security protocols.
2. Biomedical engineer
To enter this field, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a similar engineering subject. Experience in medical or lab settings is also helpful. It’s essential to choose a biomedical specialization that appeals to your interests and talents. Take time to consider your motivations and what you’d like to work on, such as artificial limbs, to help people.
Read more: What Is Biomedical Engineering? Impact and More
3. Statistician
Becoming a statistician typically requires a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or statistics, at minimum. You’ll also want to have experience compiling sensitive data into reports. Many employers look for statisticians who also have advanced degrees. Statisticians often work within industries such as finance or business.
Getting started with Coursera
Sharpen your applied science skills and learn about the foundational knowledge required to become an applied scientist with courses and educational offerings on Coursera. Options like IBM’s Applied Data Science Specialization allow you to learn about essential information and processes needed for success within an applied scientist role. You may also consider pursuing more specific courses, such as John Hopkins University’s Foundations of Health Care Systems Engineering or Stanford University’s Introduction to Statistics.
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