How to become an unspecified discipline researcher
Official title: Other researchers, unspecified discipline
Also called: Researcher, University researcher, Postdoctoral researcher, Research fellow, Research officer, Research assistant, Research associate, University research fellow
Other researchers, unspecified discipline perform research activities across a variety of disciplines for academic purposes or to provide the systematic investigation necessary for the development of new products and services, or to enhance the performance of existing ones.
Main tasks
- Plans, directs and undertakes research into areas of academic interest or commercial importance to their organisation
- Designs tests and experiments to address research objective and find solutions
- Applies models and techniques to medical, industrial, agricultural, military and similar applications
- Analyses results and writes up results of tests and experiments undertaken
- Presents results of scientific research to sponsors, addresses conferences and publishes articles outlining the methodology and results of research undertaken
- Designs and develops an appropriate research methodology in order to address the research objective
- Compiles and analyses quantitative and qualitative data, prepares reports and presents results to summarise main findings and conclusions
- Advises government, private organisations and special interest groups on policy issues
How to become one
Entrants usually possess a relevant degree or equivalent qualification, although postgraduate qualifications may be required for some jobs. Training is usually provided on-the-job.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £44,580 a year The middle half earn £38,838 to null.
- About 60,900 people work in this job now, and about 67,700 are projected by 2035. (+11.1%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become an unspecified discipline researcher?
Entrants usually possess a relevant degree or equivalent qualification, although postgraduate qualifications may be required for some jobs. Training is usually provided on-the-job.
How much does an unspecified discipline researcher earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £44,580 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is an unspecified discipline researcher a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 60,900 to about 67,700 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become an unspecified discipline researcher?
Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03