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Natural Sciences Managers

SOC 11-9121.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full management practice context for Natural Sciences Managers operating across academic, government, and industry R&D settings, from entry-level project support through enterprise-wide scientific leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Research project proposals — draft initial sections under senior manager guidance within a natural sciences laboratory or regulatory environment.
  2. Scientific and technical reports — read and summarize findings under supervision to support review cycles in an R&D organization.
  3. Problem analysis phases — assist in mapping successive steps of a structured investigation under direction from a principal scientist.
  4. Research staff activities — monitor day-to-day task progress and report status updates to a supervising natural sciences manager.
  5. Regulatory and technical literature — apply reading comprehension skills to extract compliance requirements relevant to an assigned research project.
  6. Spreadsheet and office suite software — organize project data and prepare formatted tables to support team reporting in a science-based organization.
  7. Scientific meetings and conferences — participate actively by listening, taking notes, and relaying key decisions to the project team.
  8. Client-facing project documentation — contribute assigned sections of status reports under the direction of an experienced project manager.
  9. Research personnel scheduling — coordinate basic logistics for small technical teams following established protocols in a multi-disciplinary laboratory setting.
  10. Analytical or scientific software — enter and verify data sets under supervision to support ongoing experimental or modeling activities.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Research and development activities — plan and coordinate defined project phases with reduced oversight in a government, academic, or industry laboratory.
  2. Technical staff performance — supervise engineers and technicians routinely, providing structured feedback aligned with project milestones in an applied science setting.
  3. Problem analysis frameworks — design logical sequences of investigation steps for familiar problem categories encountered in ongoing natural sciences programs.
  4. Project activity reports — prepare and review testing or operational summaries for submission to senior leadership or external stakeholders.
  5. Interdisciplinary project teams — confer with scientists, engineers, and regulators to align on scope and technical requirements for mid-scale research initiatives.
  6. Client relationships — communicate project status and preliminary findings to clients in clear, accessible language during scheduled progress reviews.
  7. Scientific or technical goals — translate broad management directives into detailed work plans with defined deliverables and timelines for a research unit.
  8. Geographic information systems and database tools — query and analyze spatial or experimental data sets to support evidence-based project decisions.
  9. Proposal development — prepare complete project proposals including scope, methodology, budget justification, and risk considerations for submission to funding bodies.
  10. Personnel resource allocation — match researcher skill sets to project tasks, adjusting assignments as project conditions evolve within a laboratory division.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full research program lifecycles — plan, direct, and evaluate all phases from problem definition through publication or product delivery across complex, multi-year natural sciences initiatives.
  2. Senior scientific and engineering staff — hire, mentor, and evaluate researchers and technicians autonomously, cultivating high-performing interdisciplinary teams in a large R&D organization.
  3. Non-routine technical challenges — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to diagnose and resolve novel scientific or operational problems without precedent in the organization's experience.
  4. Strategic research objectives — define specific scientific and technical goals within executive-level outlines, constructing detailed implementation plans that integrate regulatory, budgetary, and scientific constraints.
  5. Cross-sector stakeholder communication — confer with regulators, industry partners, and academic collaborators to negotiate project parameters and provide authoritative technical assistance.
  6. Client engagement and specification setting — lead discussions with clients to present complex research findings, establish technical specifications, and refine project scope based on emerging data.
  7. Multi-method analytical workflows — design and oversee the application of analytical or scientific software, GIS platforms, and development environments to address integrated research questions.
  8. Institutional research reporting — review, synthesize, and approve comprehensive operational and testing reports that meet internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements.
  9. Critical evaluation of scientific literature — systematically assess peer-reviewed findings to inform program direction and ensure methodological rigor across all active projects.
  10. Organizational learning strategies — design knowledge-transfer mechanisms and professional development pathways that build scientific capacity across a research division.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational research vision — set long-range scientific and technical direction for an entire natural sciences enterprise, aligning program priorities with institutional mission and societal impact.
  2. Executive-level personnel strategy — lead workforce planning, succession development, and performance culture initiatives that shape the talent pipeline across a national or global science organization.
  3. Complex problem-solving governance — establish frameworks for analyzing and resolving the most ambiguous, high-stakes scientific challenges, drawing on cross-disciplinary expertise at the executive level.
  4. Enterprise stakeholder influence — persuade and align executives, regulators, funders, and policy makers around ambitious research agendas through authoritative scientific communication and strategic advocacy.
  5. Major proposal and grant leadership — champion and oversee the development of transformative funding proposals, negotiating scope and resources with government agencies, foundations, and private sector partners.
  6. Scientific innovation culture — model and institutionalize intellectual curiosity and innovation norms that accelerate breakthrough discovery across research divisions and partner organizations.
  7. Client and partner ecosystems — cultivate enduring strategic relationships with high-value clients and collaborators, positioning the organization as the preferred partner for complex natural sciences engagements.
  8. Cross-functional program integration — direct the coordination of research, regulatory, engineering, and operations functions to deliver enterprise-scale scientific programs on time and within compliance boundaries.
  9. Organizational knowledge infrastructure — architect document management, data governance, and reporting systems that enable evidence-based decision making at every level of a science-intensive institution.
  10. Field-wide thought leadership — represent the organization's scientific standing through keynotes, publications, and advisory roles that influence standards, policy, and practice across the natural sciences sector.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature review — submits focused queries to an LLM to surface relevant research findings and regulatory precedents, then personally verifies each source before incorporating it into project documentation Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic report drafting support — uses an AI writing assistant to generate first-draft sections of routine research or operational reports, retaining full editorial authority over technical accuracy and conclusions Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Task delegation screening — evaluates which staff-coordination messages, meeting summaries, and progress updates are suitable for AI-assisted drafting versus which require direct managerial judgment, routing accordingly Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Research phase planning — feeds project objectives and constraints into an AI tool to generate candidate problem-analysis frameworks or testing sequences, then critiques and restructures the output against domain expertise Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Regulatory correspondence preparation — directs an AI assistant to compile relevant standards, format compliance summaries, and draft initial correspondence with regulators, reviewing every claim before submission Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Multi-source synthesis for decision briefs — orchestrates an AI pipeline to aggregate data from lab systems, published literature, and internal reports into structured decision briefs, applying scientific judgment to reconcile contradictions Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Staff performance data analysis — hands off structured performance metrics and project milestone records to an AI tool for pattern analysis, then interprets findings to inform hiring, supervision, or evaluation decisions Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Problem-solution iteration management — runs successive AI-assisted scenario analyses across phases of complex R&D problems, validating each proposed solution against experimental data before authorizing the next phase Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  4. Time-intensive review acceleration — deploys AI tools to pre-screen voluminous technical reports and testing outputs, concentrating managerial review time on flagged anomalies and high-stakes findings, consistent with the 80%+ time-saving potential observed for this role Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Autonomous-agent oversight architecture — designs the governance protocols and human-checkpoint structure under which AI agents execute defined sub-tasks within research programs, retaining strategic authorship and scientific accountability while AI handles high-volume data processing Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Cross-disciplinary AI integration strategy — leads organization-wide assessment of which scientific and managerial workflows warrant deeper AI integration versus human-led execution, grounded in empirical collaboration patterns and automation-feasibility constraints for the Science skill domain Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. AI-mediated stakeholder alignment — directs AI systems to model trade-off scenarios across competing project proposals and resource constraints, then synthesizes outputs into recommendations presented to scientists, engineers, and regulators with full transparency about AI-generated versus manager-adjudicated content Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 251
Augment share: 25.1%
Time saved: 80.2%
AI autonomy: 3.17
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Science
Score: 53.1 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication10 statements
Emerging
  1. Research summary drafts — translates scientific findings into written summaries for internal project documentation using standard reporting templates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Team meeting participation — conveys project status updates to laboratory staff during routine team briefings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Client proposal communication — presents research proposals and preliminary findings to clients using discipline-appropriate terminology while adjusting for audience technical background Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-functional correspondence — drafts written communications to engineers, regulators, and scientists to coordinate project phases and clarify technical specifications O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Research report authorship — prepares and reviews comprehensive testing, operational, and research reports that accurately convey scientific conclusions to both technical and managerial audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory conferencecommunication — leads structured discussions with regulatory bodies to present findings, address compliance questions, and negotiate project parameters O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Client relationship communication — communicates research findings and project status to clients through formal presentations and written deliverables that establish shared understanding of scientific outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational science communication — establishes communication standards for translating complex scientific results into executive briefings, public reports, and stakeholder presentations across the enterprise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Scientific advisory dialogue — serves as principal scientific communicator in high-stakes conferences with government regulators, industry partners, and senior leadership to shape project direction O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary communication mentorship — coaches researchers and technicians in communicating findings across scientific disciplines and to non-expert audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Staff coordination initiation — assists in scheduling and assigning tasks to research technicians and scientists within defined project phases O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Project accountability — takes responsibility for discrete deliverables within a supervised research initiative and follows through on commitments to team leads Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Research team supervision — supervises scientists, engineers, and technicians by setting performance expectations, providing feedback, and tracking progress toward project milestones Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Scientific goal translation — interprets broad strategic directives from senior management and develops detailed operational plans for research teams to execute O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Staff lifecycle management — leads the full hiring, onboarding, performance evaluation, and development cycle for scientific personnel across research programs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multi-phase project leadership — directs successive phases of problem analysis, solution design, and experimental testing by allocating resources and resolving bottlenecks across interdisciplinary teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Scientific initiative ownership — takes initiative in defining scientific or technical goals, building the case for resource investment, and driving projects from conception to delivery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Division-level scientific leadership — plans and directs research, development, and production activities across multiple concurrent programs while developing next-generation scientific managers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational science strategy — establishes long-range scientific goals aligned to organizational mission, influencing top management priorities through evidence-based advocacy O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Leadership pipeline development — designs mentorship and succession frameworks that build leadership capacity among senior researchers and emerging scientific managers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition9 statements
Emerging
  1. Scientific self-assessment — identifies personal gaps in domain knowledge (biology, chemistry, or instrumentation) and seeks targeted learning opportunities to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Decision reflection — reviews own project planning decisions after milestone completion to identify reasoning errors or knowledge assumptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Research strategy monitoring — evaluates own problem-analysis approach during project execution and adjusts methodology when early results reveal flawed assumptions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Management skill calibration — assesses own supervisory effectiveness by comparing intended team outcomes with actual performance data and modifying leadership approach accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cognitive bias recognition — identifies and corrects confirmation bias or anchoring effects in own interpretation of experimental data during critical scientific reviews Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy deployment — selects discipline-specific learning methods (literature review, peer consultation, workshops) to close knowledge gaps revealed by novel project challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Project postmortem analysis — systematically evaluates own planning and execution decisions after project completion to extract transferable lessons for future research programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice institutionalization — embeds structured after-action reviews and reflective debriefs into the scientific team culture, modeling metacognitive habits for all staff levels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive expertise development — monitors own evolving understanding across adjacent scientific disciplines and continuously recalibrates expertise boundaries to lead interdisciplinary initiatives effectively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking10 statements
Emerging
  1. Literature evaluation — identifies strengths and weaknesses of published scientific studies relevant to assigned research questions using established appraisal criteria Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Problem decomposition — breaks down a defined scientific problem into component parts and identifies data needed to evaluate potential solutions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Experimental design critique — evaluates proposed research designs for logical flaws, confounding variables, and methodological gaps before approving project phases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based decision making — weighs competing technical approaches using empirical evidence, cost-benefit analysis, and risk assessment to recommend project direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex problem solving — designs multi-phase analytical frameworks to diagnose scientific or operational problems, test competing hypotheses, and select optimal solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Report quality assurance — critically reviews research and testing reports prepared by staff, identifying unsupported conclusions, data anomalies, and interpretive errors before finalization O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Regulatory argument analysis — evaluates regulatory agency positions and technical objections using structured logical analysis to prepare scientifically defensible responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systemic scientific reasoning — applies cross-disciplinary critical analysis to resolve novel, ambiguous problems at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and engineering where no established methodology exists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational reasoning standards — establishes peer review protocols, analytical frameworks, and decision criteria that elevate the quality of critical thinking across the entire scientific division Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic assumption challenging — interrogates foundational assumptions in long-range research programs and redirects organizational scientific strategy based on rigorous re-evaluation of evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Interdisciplinary team participation — contributes assigned tasks within cross-functional research teams that include scientists, engineers, and technicians from different specializations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shared goal alignment — clarifies individual responsibilities relative to team project objectives during kickoff meetings and planning sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-functional coordination — coordinates work across research, engineering, and administrative units to maintain project phase sequencing and resolve inter-team dependencies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conflict navigation — facilitates resolution of technical disagreements between research staff by surfacing shared goals and brokering evidence-based consensus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. External partner collaboration — establishes productive working relationships with client organizations, regulatory agencies, and scientific partners to align project expectations and share technical resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Diverse team integration — manages collaboration dynamics within teams that span scientific disciplines, cultural backgrounds, and career levels to sustain high group productivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Proposal co-development — leads collaborative preparation of project proposals by integrating scientific, technical, and administrative contributions from multiple stakeholders O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Multi-organization consortium leadership — architects and manages large-scale collaborative research initiatives involving multiple institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry partners Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaboration culture building — designs team structures, norms, and incentive systems that institutionalize effective interdisciplinary collaboration as a core organizational capability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Research integrity adherence — follows established protocols for data collection, reporting, and attribution in all scientific work, avoiding fabrication or selective omission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability — acknowledges errors in project planning or execution and takes corrective action without deflecting responsibility to staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical oversight — identifies and escalates potential ethical concerns in research design, data handling, or client relationships before they compromise project integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent reporting — presents unfavorable research findings honestly in reports and client communications without omitting or minimizing data that contradict desired outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Scientific standards stewardship — enforces rigorous ethical and professional conduct standards across supervised research teams, addressing misconduct promptly and consistently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulatory compliance integrity — ensures all research activities meet legal, regulatory, and institutional ethical requirements, documenting compliance throughout project lifecycles O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict of interest management — proactively identifies and manages personal or organizational conflicts of interest that could compromise scientific objectivity in client or regulatory relationships Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical culture leadership — models and institutionalizes a culture of scientific integrity, accountability, and professional ethics that permeates all levels of the research organization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Industry standards contribution — participates in the development of professional and regulatory standards for ethical scientific practice within the relevant scientific community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Alternative approach identification — generates multiple candidate methodologies for a defined research problem and presents them to senior staff for evaluation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Proposal ideation — contributes novel research angles and experimental ideas during project proposal brainstorming sessions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Innovative study design — develops non-standard experimental designs that address research questions more efficiently or with greater rigor than conventional approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive problem reframing — redefines a stalled scientific problem from a different disciplinary perspective to generate previously unconsidered solution pathways Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Novel research program creation — designs original research programs that pursue scientifically significant questions using interdisciplinary methods that cross traditional domain boundaries Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Process innovation — develops and implements improvements to laboratory workflows, data management systems, or quality assurance protocols that substantially increase research efficiency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Creative client solutions — invents custom research approaches that address unique client specifications not addressable by standard methodologies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Scientific paradigm advancement — conceptualizes and pursues research directions that challenge existing scientific frameworks, contributing to field-level knowledge advances Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Innovation ecosystem cultivation — creates organizational conditions—through resource allocation, psychological safety, and exploratory project funding—that consistently generate breakthrough scientific ideas Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — accepts critical feedback from senior scientists and managers on project proposals and experimental designs and applies it in subsequent iterations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Challenge engagement — volunteers for technically demanding assignments outside current expertise to accelerate scientific and managerial skill development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Setback recovery — treats failed experiments or rejected proposals as diagnostic information, systematically analyzing what went wrong and redesigning the approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuous science learning — pursues ongoing education in emerging scientific methodologies, instrumentation, and domain knowledge relevant to managed research programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Persistent problem resolution — sustains focused effort on complex, long-duration scientific problems through multiple failed hypotheses without abandoning rigorous inquiry Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Constructive feedback integration — actively seeks evaluation of own management and scientific decisions from peers, subordinates, and clients and incorporates insights to improve performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Team learning culture — responds to team-level project failures by facilitating structured learning reviews rather than assigning blame, reinforcing effort and inquiry as organizational values Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational learning architecture — builds feedback loops, knowledge-sharing systems, and reflective practices into the research organization that make collective growth a structural property of the team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Discipline boundary expansion — systematically acquires competency in adjacent scientific domains to lead increasingly complex interdisciplinary research programs and model lifelong learning for staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Meeting presence — maintains focused attention during scientific conferences and project briefings, avoiding distraction to accurately absorb technical information and stakeholder concerns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress awareness — recognizes early signs of decision fatigue or stress during high-demand project phases and takes deliberate steps to restore attentional capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Intentional decision pacing — pauses before committing to critical project or personnel decisions under time pressure, ensuring choices reflect deliberate analysis rather than reactive judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Active listening in consultation — practices full attentional presence during technical consultations with engineers, scientists, and regulators, demonstrating comprehension before responding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emotional regulation under pressure — maintains composed, objective demeanor during high-stakes interactions with regulators, clients, or during project crises, preventing emotional reactivity from compromising scientific judgment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Purposeful project review — conducts progress reviews with deliberate attention to early warning indicators—budget drift, data anomalies, team friction—rather than defaulting to surface-level status checks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Attentive staff supervision — observes and responds to signals of burnout, disengagement, or interpersonal conflict in research teams before they escalate into performance or retention problems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindful organizational leadership — models present-moment awareness and intentional decision-making at the executive level, shaping a research culture that values deliberate inquiry over reactive urgency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Complex situation navigation — applies heightened situational awareness to navigate politically sensitive, scientifically ambiguous, or ethically complex project contexts with clarity and equanimity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Uncertainty tolerance — continues productive scientific work during periods of unclear project direction or inconclusive experimental results without requiring premature closure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Persistent inquiry — sustains investigation of a scientific question through initial negative results by treating failure as part of the empirical process Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Adversity navigation — maintains project momentum and team morale when research programs encounter significant setbacks such as funding reductions, regulatory delays, or failed experiments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult decision courage — makes and defends scientifically sound but organizationally unpopular recommendations—such as halting a failing project—despite institutional pressure to continue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Sustained program perseverance — leads multi-year research programs through repeated obstacles, resource constraints, and scope changes without losing scientific rigor or team commitment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. High-pressure regulatory resilience — maintains scientific credibility and composure during adversarial regulatory reviews or legal challenges to research findings, providing clear, evidence-based responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Team resilience stewardship — sustains team cohesion and productivity through organizational restructuring, leadership changes, or program cancellations by providing stability and clear direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational resilience leadership — guides the scientific organization through major disruptions—budget crises, failed flagship programs, or regulatory sanctions—rebuilding capacity and scientific credibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous scientific advocacy — publicly defends scientifically valid but controversial findings or methodologies against institutional, political, or commercial opposition, preserving the integrity of the research enterprise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Related titles
Agricultural Research Director · Agriculture Research Director · Analytical Services Manager · Chemical Engineer Supervisor · Chemical Plant Technical Director · Chemical Process Exploration Manager · Clinical Project Manager · Clinical Trials Manager · Environmental Program Manager · Environmental Research Project Manager · Geochemical Manager · Geological Manager
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
ScienceCritical ThinkingMonitoringReading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingWritingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionOperations AnalysisSystems AnalysisInstructingMathematicsNegotiationSystems EvaluationTime ManagementService Orientation
Knowledge domains
BiologyEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeChemistryMathematicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesCustomer and Personal Service
Abilities
Written ComprehensionInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionInformation OrderingSpeech ClarityProblem SensitivityCategory Flexibility
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityLeadership OrientationDependabilityInnovationAchievement OrientationAttention to Detail
Technology
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareGeographic information systemSpreadsheet softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareDevelopment environment softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
  2. Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
  3. Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
  4. Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
  5. Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
  6. Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
  7. Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.
  8. Prepare project proposals.
CIP education codes
14.120114.370126.010126.020226.020326.020426.020526.020626.020726.020826.020926.021026.029926.030126.030526.030726.039926.040126.040326.040626.049926.050226.050326.050426.050526.050726.050826.059926.070126.070226.070726.079926.080226.080426.080526.080726.089926.091026.091226.100126.100426.110126.110226.110426.119926.120126.130126.130226.130326.131026.131126.139926.140126.150126.150226.150326.150426.159926.999927.010127.010227.010327.010427.010527.019927.030127.030327.030427.030527.030627.039927.050127.050327.059927.060127.999930.010130.080130.100130.150130.180130.190130.250130.259930.270130.300130.320130.330130.340130.350130.380130.410130.430130.440130.490130.500130.700130.709938.010240.010140.020140.020240.020340.029940.040140.040240.040340.040440.049940.050140.050240.050340.050440.050640.050740.050840.050940.051040.051140.051240.059940.060140.060240.060340.060440.060540.060640.060740.069940.080140.080240.080440.080540.080640.080740.080840.080940.081040.089940.100240.109940.110140.999951.140151.200652.021052.021452.021654.0104

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.