# Computer and Information Research Scientists

> Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

- **SOC code:** 15-1221.00
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1221-00
- **Also known as:** Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst, AI Engineer (Artificial Intelligence Engineer), Applied Scientist, Artificial Intelligence Specialist (AI Specialist)
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
- Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
- Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
- Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
- Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Computers and Electronics _(knowledge)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Mathematics _(knowledge)_
- Critical Thinking _(essential_skill)_
- Complex Problem Solving _(transferable_skill)_
- Judgment and Decision Making _(transferable_skill)_
- Oral Comprehension _(ability)_
- Oral Expression _(ability)_
- Engineering and Technology _(knowledge)_
- English Language _(knowledge)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Inductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Mathematics _(Common Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- Complex Problem Solving _(Common Skill)_
- English Language _(Common Skill)_
- Systems Analysis _(Specialized Skill)_
- Reading Comprehension _(Common Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- TensorFlow _(Specialized Skill)_
- Linux _(Specialized Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Amazon Web Services AWS software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Ansible software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Apache Hadoop _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Apache Kafka _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Apache Spark _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Bash _(hot technology, in demand)_
- C _(hot technology, in demand)_
- C++ _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Docker _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Git _(hot technology, in demand)_
- GitHub _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Go _(hot technology, in demand)_

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 67th percentile (High) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 76th percentile (High) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 58th percentile (Moderate) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** 19.7% growth (Growing fast); 3.2k annual openings; 40.3k → 48.3k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $140,910; 38,480 employed.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Anthropic Economic Index** (v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27)) — Anthropic. https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1221-00_