Also called: Human Research Program Scientist, Space Biomedical Researcher
Studies how microgravity and radiation change the human body, and how to protect astronauts.
You analyze bone scans from astronauts, design an exercise experiment for the space station, and test countermeasures in bed-rest studies. You also help train astronauts on experiments they will run on themselves in orbit.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. A bachelor's in physiology or kinesiology, then a PhD in physiology; some come in through medical school and an MD instead.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Professional school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Kinesiology.
Growing much faster than average (about 9% over 10 years). Medical scientists overall.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps analyze body data; experiments with real people and astronauts stay human research.
Classes: AP Biology, Anatomy, AP Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-1042.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.