Those in research jobs can expect to have incredibly glorious days after discoveries are made, followed by series of days and weeks, and sometimes years, between life-changing discoveries. It's an incredibly disciplined position that requires a high level of intelligence and education. With fields such as nanotechnology, which includes DNA research on the molecular level, to biotechnology, which most insist is by far the most-active field of research, much of this field is foreign to many of us. This is only true, however, because we are fascinated with advances made in our lifetimes, yet we have no idea how these discoveries are made or interpreted.
If you are one of the highly intelligent scientists who might be looking for a new career path, these fields are exciting paths you might consider. Referred to as ''a vibrant new area of work,'' DNA bioinformatics deals with hazardous materials, effective medicines, and cellular life spans. This field offers the opportunity to work across several phases of human development and diseases with a rare glance of both inceptions and final deliveries of certain discoveries.
Those in the newer field of nanotechnology choose to work on a molecular level and become experts in DNA. It's also explained as the study of individual atoms that behave differently in varying degrees based on environmental considerations. In fact, their microscopic sizes allow for use in small lasers and other switches for communications equipment. According to the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics site, this scientific method is relatively new and, although promising, there have been precious few discoveries that have had ample time to ensure success. With that said, there have only been minor setbacks from other discoveries which, as lessons learned, have laid a solid foundation to ensure potential problems can be bypassed.
Other research careers include pharmaceutical discoveries, genetic research efforts, stem cell research, and even cloning efforts. Clearly, some R&D efforts are more controversial than others and many scientists must deal with politics and financial constraints which are often determined by the efforts of politicians. Many in the scientific community feel politics are a necessary evil and believe that, left to their own devices, they could present solid proof of the benefits of their research. Advocates agree and certain politicians try to align themselves as a buffer between the politicians opposed to the research and the scientists themselves. Still, problems exist for those seeking to find cures to diseases such as Parkinson's disease and other life-threatening illnesses.
Research careers number upwards of 600,000 in this country. This includes those in physical R&D, engineering, and other life sciences with approximately 66,000, or around 11%, of the positions available as research assistant jobs. Researchers conduct their work based on the NAICS, North American Industrial classification System, and are strictly categorized and monitored by this standard. Industries devoted to pharmaceuticals, humanities, and aerospace studies take the lion's share of all research dollars which includes tax dollars as well.
Further research indicates most services are conducted in only a few states including California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. These states receive over 50% of all funding monies earmarked for these research purposes. Most facilities employ less than fifty workers with the remaining employing over two-hundred-fifty employees, indicating either smaller, concentrated companies specializing in one area of study or larger companies that conduct research on a number of interests.
Further, the vast majority of all work in the biomedical fields is geared towards disease cures versus disease prevention. It's the belief of many scientists that finding the cure is synonymous with finding the preventive properties. Pharmaceutical companies provide the largest amount of funding and are second only to taxpayer dollars. Although everyone supports these research fields, few come together regarding the methods of research. Such examples of recent controversies include those associated with stem-cell research and cloning-methods research.
Income potential is extremely lucrative with median annual incomes near $200,000. Research assistant positions are nearly double in number of those in similar positions, but in different careers. An assistant can expect to earn nearly $57,000 per year based on location, education, and experience.