How to Go From a High School Graduate to a Lead Research Scientist

Written by Erin Stacey

Thumbnail and Header Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash

Research scientists can have very fulfilling and exciting jobs, with millions of opportunities to research topics in many fields. Many students begin their academic careers with the dream of becoming a research scientist, but may not know the path they need to take to achieve this goal. So how does one become a research scientist? Although there are countless fields you can enter as a research scientist, each with its own research opportunities, there is still a somewhat standard path to follow. 

The first step to becoming a research scientist is completing a bachelor's degree. Coupled with a bachelor’s degree, it is important to consider doing an honours program, as many graduate programs will not consider you for admission without one. An honour’s program often requires a different set of prerequisites, as well as writing an honours thesis. Typically, a bachelor's degree will take about four years to complete, although this timeline depends on the program and the individual. Some programs may only take three years and others up to six years to complete. Other programs may even require you to have completed a certain amount of credit hours in university before applying to the program. For example, to apply to the undergraduate pharmacy program at Dalhousie University you have to successfully complete 30 credit hours of an undergraduate program at a university first. While it is useful to pursue an undergraduate degree in a field related to the research you intend to do, many undergraduate degrees are broad and can be applied to a variety of fields of study. For instance, someone interested in researching climate change may take an undergraduate degree in biology or environmental science. 

For many, the second step to becoming a research scientist is completing a master's degree. A master's degree is shorter than a bachelor's degree, typically taking one to two years to complete. A master's degree is quite different from a bachelor's degree: you’re now focusing on acquiring expertise within a specific area of study. The student will conduct their own research and then write a thesis throughout their master's degree. Upon completing this, the student will defend their thesis to their supervisory committee and an external examiner to achieve their master's degree. In full, a master’s degree gives a chance to experience the process of research in full. 

The third step, which is arguably the most important, is to gain experience. Having experience in the field of research gives you the opportunity to advance into better research positions and lets your employer know that you are aware of the basics needed for research. A great time to gain this experience is before pursuing a doctoral degree or even before pursuing a master's degree. Just a year or two of having direct hands-on experience within a research environment can significantly improve the chances of securing a good position as a research scientist. Forms of experience can include co-operative education programs, internships and assisting in a research lab through summer programs. SMU offers research opportunities to undergraduate students through a multitude of summer research awards, providing an excellent opportunity to begin gaining experience early. Ultimately, experience is what distinguishes your resume from others. Most likely, all the candidates applying to a research scientist position will have their bachelor's degree and master's degree in the related field, meaning you have to use your experience to stand out from all the other candidates. 

Lastly, a doctoral degree is often pursued. While a doctoral degree is not required to become a research scientist, it does allow for growth and access to senior positions within the career. For example, you can advance up to being the lead scientist on a research project with a doctoral degree while you likely could not with only a bachelors or masters degree. A doctoral degree is the highest level of academic degree. There are different types of doctoral degrees, such as a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Education, Many, but not all, researchers hold a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). A doctoral degree takes four to six years to complete, although this varies as it depends on the specific program. 

Photo by Diane Serik on Unsplash

There are many differences between a master's degree and a doctoral degree. A master's degree is designed to prepare you for the workforce, focusing on skills and knowledge related to a specific industry. On the other hand, a doctoral degree focuses more on research-related skills, as someone pursuing a doctoral degree is highly specialized in a particular topic. A doctoral degree allows you to expand beyond the known and learn new information related to your field of work. 

One major difference between a master's degree and a doctoral degree is writing a thesis versus a dissertation. Although they are very similar, there are still some key differences. A thesis proves you are knowledgeable in a field of study through the collection of research throughout the master's degree. This research is often something original that the student is interested in, but it does not have to be completely new or unique. Whether or not the research being done is original, it must serve as a way to express your knowledge. A master’s thesis contrasts with the dissertation you must write for a doctoral degree, which requires you to research your own original concept in a field of study and then defend it. This provides you with the opportunity to publish and contribute your unique knowledge to an area of study. Both master’s programs and doctorate programs vary greatly depending on the university, country and much more. 

Saint Mary's University (SMU) is a great university to begin a career in research. SMU offers five Ph.D. programs, 22 master's programs, and one graduate diploma. They pride themselves on providing a more intimate education than other universities, with smaller classroom sizes and more opportunities to connect with professors. With the ability to cultivate relationships with professors, there is already a clear advantage to taking your master's degree or doctoral degree at SMU. In addition, SMU provides support and encouragement to students to aid them as they undergo their journey into research. You can find more information on their Graduate Studies page.