The educational requirements for science research and development jobs are among the highest of all sectors of the U.S. economy. Many R&D jobs require not only a bachelor’s degree, but also a master’s degree or Ph.D. Most new research jobs created over the next decade will be in biotechnology, bioinformatics, nanotechnology and their related applications. Increased emphasis on environmental regulations and cleaner energy should also produce new biology jobs in research and development.

The pharmaceutical industry has been a primary source of R&D science jobs, and advances in genetics-based disease treatment should continue to provide steady employment growth in that field. Biology and chemistry jobs can also be found in independent research firms, colleges and universities, and federal and local government.