Also called: Program Officer (NSF/DOE), Research Program Director
Decides which science projects get government funding, managing millions of research dollars.
At the National Science Foundation, DOE, or DARPA, you read hundreds of research proposals, organize expert review panels, and choose which ideas to fund. DARPA program managers launch bold projects like the one that started the internet.
Based on natural sciences managers and federal pay scales.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 12 years after high school. PhD in a science field plus years of research experience.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Earth Science.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. AI can sort and summarize proposals, but choosing which bold science bets to fund stays human.
Classes: AP Physics, AP Chemistry, Speech and debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9121.
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.