2. Research & Development

• Research Scientist A research scientist is the person responsible for coming up with an idea and investigating that idea until it becomes plausible and is ready to be developed further and taken to the market.

• Process/Development Scientist This involves taking a prototype or early stage product and getting it to the stage where it is ready to reach the market. It involves testing the proof of principle and reliability of a product as well as ensuring it can be produced economically.

• Product Development This covers the process by which a concept for a product is turned into a commercially and scientifically viable product that will appeal to potential customers. Typically this type of role will involve working with other areas of a business from researchers and production to sales and marketing.

• Academic Research It is possible to combine academic research with more applied or commercially focused research. Industry sponsorship and government schemes can cover industrial PhDs, postdoctoral collaborative work and larger initiatives jointly funded by industry, academia and the government.