Natural Sciences Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Common Job Titles
- Chemical Process Exploration Manager
- Environmental Program Manager
- Natural Sciences Manager
- Research and Development Director (R and D Director)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeEvaluate research methodologies and experimental outcomes across life sciences, physical sciences, and mathematical disciplines to ensure scientific rigor and compliance with standards.Advanced
- KnowledgeDevelop strategic objectives and research priorities for multidisciplinary scientific teams, balancing organizational goals with resource constraints.Advanced
- KnowledgeSynthesize interdisciplinary scientific knowledge from biology, chemistry, mathematics, and computational fields to identify innovative research opportunities and technological applications.Advanced
- KnowledgeDesign organizational frameworks and workflow processes to optimize research operations, resource allocation, and laboratory information management systems.Advanced
- KnowledgeAnalyze complex scientific data and research findings using statistical software (SPSS, SAS, R, MATLAB) to inform decision-making and project direction.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate personnel development strategies with organizational research objectives while mentoring scientific staff and fostering collaborative team environments.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate scientific excellence and ethical research practices when communicating with external stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and interdisciplinary teams.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess personnel performance and team dynamics to guide staffing decisions, coordinate work activities, and resolve conflicts in scientific environments.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret technical scientific information and research implications for diverse audiences including management, funding agencies, and non-specialist stakeholders.Proficient
- KnowledgeFormulate budget proposals and financial resource management plans for research projects and departmental operations, ensuring alignment with scientific priorities.Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Natural Sciences Managers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
100,870
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $79,830. 25th percentile: U.S. $114,110. 50th percentile: U.S. $161,180. 75th percentile: U.S. $214,820. 90th percentile: U.S. $239,200. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $79,830 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $239,200+ |
| Workers on average earn | $173,500 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Biology4.0/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Administrative3.6/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Photoshop
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Database
- R
- SAP software
- SAS
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
Technology Skills
- Clinical trial management software
- Graphics software
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- Integrated development environment IDE software
- Laboratory information management system LIMS
- SAP Business Objects
- STATISTICA
- StataCorp Stata
Tools & Equipment
- Color plotters
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
- Personal computers
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives