How to become a social science researcher

Official title: Social science researcher

Also called: Design researcher (social science), Social and humanities scientist, Social research analyst, Social studies researcher, Design Researcher, Lead Design Researcher, Principal Design Researcher, Principal Research Counsellor, Research Associate, Research Counsellor, Senior Principal Researcher/Principal Researcher, Senior Research Associate

Social science researcher constructs research context and manages research projects that investigate social issues. He/she performs research by gathering information through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. He/she analyses social problems and needs, and the different ways and techniques to respond to them.

Main tasks

• Conducting research on the origin, development, structure, social patterns, organisations and inter-relationships of human society
• Advising on the practical application of these findings in the formulation of economic and social policies for population groups and regions, and for the development of markets
• Preparing scholarly papers and reports

Ways in

• University: Science degrees, Offered by 4 universities in Singapore
• University: Social Work & Community degrees, Offered by 1 universities in Singapore

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $79,200 a year. The middle half earn $75,000 to $107,004 a year.
• Generative AI could change some tasks in this job, by the ILO's global estimate.

Related jobs

• Sociologist/Anthropologist
• Economist
• Political scientist
• Minister of religion

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Questions people ask

How do I become a social science researcher?

Ways in include: Science degrees; Social Work & Community degrees.

How much does a social science researcher earn in Singapore?

Median full-time pay is $79,200 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $75,000 to $107,004.

Will AI change the work of a social science researcher?

Generative AI could change some tasks in this job, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

• Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
• International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026