What is an application scientist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Jacob Nordman

An application scientist is an individual who works to apply scientific principles and techniques to real-world problems. They use their expertise to develop practical solutions for various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food science. An application scientist conducts research, experiments, and tests on products and processes to optimize their performance and efficiency. They collaborate with engineers, product developers, and other scientists to design and develop new products or improve existing ones.

What general advice would you give to an Application Scientist?

Jacob Nordman

Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Salary potential in my field of neuroscience almost always involves publications, awards, and technical acumen. Therefore, as I mentioned, it is important to start early looking for opportunities that can strengthen these areas. Another important aspect of getting high-profile, and thus high-paying, positions, is being able to tell a story with your research and career. Employers want to see that you have thought deeply and strategically about your career and where it’s going. This will allow them to believe you are a safe bet and worthy of their investment.

ScoreApplication ScientistUS Average

Salary

7.0

Avg. Salary $89,939

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.3

Growth Rate 17%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 26.32%

Black or African American 6.44%

Hispanic or Latino 9.70%

Unknown 4.13%

White 53.27%

Gender

female 37.14%

male 62.86%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress Level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.8

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.7

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Application Scientist?

Pros

Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology
Chance to contribute to scientific research and innovation
Potential for career growth and advancement
Competitive salary and benefits package
Satisfaction from seeing your work making a difference in the world

Cons

High pressure to meet project deadlines and deliverables
Long hours and overtime may be required, especially during peak project periods
Challenging work that requires a high level of technical knowledge and expertise
Limited opportunities for creative expression or individuality in some roles
Work can be very detail-oriented, requiring a high level of accuracy and precision

Key steps to become an application scientist

Explore application scientist education requirements

Most common application scientist degrees

Bachelor's

57.9 %

Doctorate

22.9 %

Master's

16.3 %

Start to develop specific application scientist skills

Skills	Percentages
Diagnostics	9.90%
Technical Support	9.36%
Sample Preparation	7.49%
Application Support	6.30%
Customer Service	4.67%

Complete relevant application scientist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New application scientists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an application scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real application scientist resumes.

Research application scientist duties and responsibilities

Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
Develop and standardize protocol for pathogen detection in food matrices using real time PCR.
Utilize free energy perturbation and molecular dynamics approaches to evaluate binding of proprietary camptothecins to DNA.
Structure-Base design and synthesis of biologically active compounds targeting SH2 domains for the treatment of osteoporosis and/or cancer.

Prepare your application scientist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your application scientist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an application scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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Build a professional Application Scientist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Application Scientist resume.

Apply for application scientist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an application scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do application scientists rate their job?

-/5

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1 Star

Application Scientist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2023

Pros

Experience different scientific fields- get away from the bench

Cons

Career path forward is narrow and limited beyond this role