The Ultimate Medical Scientist Career Guide
Medical scientists are the curious minds behind some of the most important discoveries in health and medicine. From designing studies that uncover groundbreaking new vaccines and cancer therapies to translating those findings into better patient care, they help improve health outcomes around the world.
If you’re considering this career, you might be wondering: What does a medical scientist actually do in a day? What skills do you need to succeed? And how can you make your mark in research or applied science?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from responsibilities and required training to salaries and entry points into the growing field of implementation science.
What Is a Medical Scientist?
Medical scientists are researchers who focus on improving human health by:
- Studying the causes of diseases
- Developing new treatments
- Evaluating current and future prevention methods
Most medical scientists hold a Ph.D., though some also have an M.D. or both. Unlike the physicians you see during regular doctor visits, their work is focused on research rather than direct patient care.
Medical scientists work to find evidence that helps develop new health-related tools and strategies. For example, a medical scientist might study a better way to detect cancer early or determine the most effective approach to prevent heart disease.
Where Do Medical Scientists Work?
Although medical scientists don’t work directly with patients, their work exists within and is deeply tied to healthcare settings. Many conduct research in:
- Hospitals
- Clinical laboratories
- University research centers
- Government agencies
- Community-based organizations
What Does a Medical Scientist Do?
Medical scientists’ daily responsibilities vary depending on their area of research, but they typically involve designing studies, preparing experiments and analyzing data from clinical trials. The goal? To see whether a medical approach works and whether it could be effective in real-world healthcare settings.
Common responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with other researchers to design and conduct studies on health-related topics
- Investigating the causes and potential treatments for pathogens and chronic diseases
- Developing and testing medical devices, procedures or drugs for safety and effectiveness
- Analyzing research data and recommending next steps
- Writing grant proposals to secure research funding
- Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at conferences
How Much Do Medical Scientists Make?
As of May 2024, medical scientists earn an median annual wage of $100,590. This field is projected to grow by 11% through 2033, with roughly 13,000 new positions expected to open, making it both a well-paying and in-demand career path.
How to Become a Medical Scientist
Becoming a medical scientist requires advanced education, hands-on research experience and specialized training. While the exact path can vary, most professionals follow a similar series of steps to prepare for this career, including:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, such as biology, chemistry or public health
- Gaining research experience through internships, lab assistant roles or undergraduate research programs
- Pursuing a Ph.D. in a relevant biomedical or health science field (or a combined M.D./Ph.D. if the work involves clinical research)
- Completing postdoctoral research to build expertise and a strong publication record
Looking for Additional Ways to Stand Out?
Consider earning a graduate certificate in implementation science to gain practical skills in translating research into real-world practice. A certificate provides an effective, budget-friendly way to distinguish yourself when applying for doctoral programs or starting a research-focused career.
You can also build complementary skills like grant writing, data analysis and understanding health policy and regulations. Mastering these skills lets employers know you’re prepared to be an immediate, capable asset to their team.
Skills to Add to Your Medical Scientist Resume
Beyond the technical skills you’ll learn in school — like research, grant writing and data analysis — developing strong human-centered “soft” skills can make a critical difference at hiring time. Prioritize skills like:
- Communication: Clearly explaining complex concepts to diverse audiences
- Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with colleagues and research partners
- Adaptability: Adjusting to new methods, technologies and study environments
- Decision-making: Making informed choices based on data and evidence
- Organization: Managing multiple projects, deadlines and datasets efficiently
For those interested in implementation science, gaining additional expertise can help you:
- Translate research findings into real-world healthcare applications
- Apply frameworks such as CFIR or RE-AIM to evaluate interventions
- Collaborate with hospitals, clinics or public health organizations to test and implement solutions
The Role of Medical Scientists in Implementation Science
In implementation science, you’ll often hear the phrase “bridge the gap”: connecting research to real-world health outcomes. Medical scientists are essential players in this process, focusing primarily on the research side.
They design and conduct studies that inform effective health interventions, while also considering how those findings can be used in clinical and community settings.
Specific contributions include:
- Testing whether interventions that work in controlled studies are effective in real-world healthcare settings
- Identifying barriers that prevent evidence-based practices from being adopted in hospitals, clinics or communities
- Adapting treatments or programs to fit local populations (without losing effectiveness)
- Collecting and analyzing data to measure whether interventions work, last and make a real difference
- Working with healthcare providers, policymakers and community organizations to ensure research findings are applied effectively
- Helping create policy decisions or best practice guidelines based on solid evidence
By combining deep research with practical application, medical scientists ensure that discoveries don’t just remain in the lab. Instead, they’re able to become actionable solutions that improve patient care and public health outcomes.
Take Your Health Sciences Career to New Heights
The University of Florida offers a four-course Graduate Certificate in Implementation Science that you can earn entirely online in as little as two semesters. These curated courses deliver the tools you need to expand your career in many health science-related roles, from registered nurse to medical scientist (and so many more).
If you’re ready to stand out to employers and doctoral programs and gain the expertise to lead meaningful change in healthcare, apply to our online program today.
Want to explore first? Apply as a non-degree seeking student to see if the format and courses align with your goals or take a single course to gain targeted skills that can immediately inform your current role.
Other Articles You May be Interested In:
- The Ultimate Medical Scientist Career Guide
- Implementing Telehealth Services: Challenges and Solutions
- How Implementation Scientists Can Help Improve Maternal and Neonatal Health