A few decades ago, everybody wanted to be an engineer as the scope of engineering was expanding. Engineers were in high demand then. As per a study, over 1.29 million students were enrolled in B.Tech (Computer Science) in the academic year 2022. But the times have changed now and there is a wide range of career paths for B.Tech graduates now. One of those leading career paths is Research and Development.
Research and Development is the process that companies and even governments use to understand the market for their products and services. If you are a technically-minded and detail-oriented professional with a passion for changing the world, Research and Development jobs could be for you.
Understanding Research & Development
Research and Development can be categorised into two areas:
- Research: It refers to the investigation and exploration of new ideas, technologies and concepts. It involves running experiments, collecting data and analysing results to contribute to scientific knowledge.
- Development: It involves transforming scientific research findings into practical applications. It focuses on creating new products or improving the existing ones, such as medicines, software and innovative technologies.
Career Paths in Research and Development
The research development jobs fall into one of three categories: research-based, development-based and supporting business functions that help direct and supervise the R&D projects.
- Research Roles:
- Research Chemists: They work in the medical or pharmaceutical field, where their work can be the creation of new drugs, toiletries, and other health-related items to improve consumers’ lives.
- Research Analyst: Their responsibility is to do the research, understand, and then present their findings.
- Development Roles:
- Research and Development Engineer: Their role is to take the research findings of research analysts and chemists, and use those to create a design, prototyping, and develop an innovation.
- Packaging Engineer: They develop and produce packaging for the goods that clients want to bring to the market.
- Support/Management Roles:
- R&D Project Manager: Their work is to ensure that a project runs smoothly by taking an overview of the project.
- R&D Administrator: They help support project managers as well as those on the research and development sides, by ensuring a smooth flow of information between all of them.
Skills Required
Technical skills in R&D can vary depending on the specific area you choose to specialise in, but some of the technical skills include:
- Expertise in scientific methodology.
- Knowledge of laboratory techniques and equipment.
- Proficiency in programming languages
- Expertise in software development tools
Apart from technical skills some soft skills are also highly sought after in research and development jobs. These are:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent communication skills
- Teamwork
- Attention to details
Education & Development
B.Tech graduates, pursuing a research-oriented career, can engage themselves in research internships, and workshops. They can also participate in academic conferences to gain valuable exposure to the research ecosystem.
Some sought-after degree programs for future aspiring R&D professionals include:
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, biology, computer science or engineering.
- Master’s degree in research-focused discipline.
- PhD programs for those who want to pursue a career in scientific research.
How Guidacent Consulting Services Can Help B.Tech Graduates Pursue R&D Careers?
Guidacent Consulting Services offers extensive guidance to B.Tech graduates aiming for careers in R&D. Our expert counsellors can help you identify the best R&D career paths based on your interests and strengths. We can also help you in getting admission to the top M.Tech colleges in Bangalore or B.Tech colleges in Bangalore, that are known for their strong R&D programs.
For more information, visit our official website.