Scientist - How to become a Scientist

Scientist is the most valuable professional in the modern society of our times, so is the career as a Scientist. He is the one, responsible to make this planet what it looks like today. All the technological advancements we are experiencing, that allow as to know more and more about our world are just because of the discoveries and inventions of these professionals. Scientist even saves lives by developing new life saving drugs and medicines.

Job profile of a scientist basically involves planning, conducting and analyzing various experiments either with a goal to develop new products (life saving medicines and consumer able goods etc.) processes or commercial applications or to widen scientific knowledge of the various existing process and phenomenon in general.

Besides doing the research work in commercial or government laboratories, hospitals and higher education institutions on an individual  basis, various scientists are involved in grouped research activities as a part of a larger team involved in some scientific research to find the solution to  unexplored complex phenomena. To get the reviews and inputs scientist community disseminate information to their professional colleagues. This is done at international conferences or through the publication of research papers and presentations from time to time during their research activity. This make the attendance of these professionals at various academic and science conferences across the world as an integral part of their job profile, rather than an additional activity.

To be in this  elite group of researchers and explorers in the various fields of pure and social science   one requires dedicated attention, ability to work tirelessly for hours and  the capacity to concentrate irrespective of unfavorable conditions and surroundings besides a knack of  processing thoughts and experiences very quickly. The career as a scientist also requires the ability to work independently and sometimes with little guidance. So  if you are ready to put that much required efforts, and your temperament & personality fit this type of arduous but interesting and self satisfactory job then you can tread the below given path to  meet your goal of becoming a scientist.  

Young and energetic people with desire and capacity for hard work can get money, fame and above all job satisfaction in this profession.

How to become a Scientist?

Step 1

The first and the most important step towards a career as a scientist is to choose a specialty from a variety of specific filed (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Geology, Astronomy or other life/social sciences) that you like, taking your interest and relative importance of the field/specialty in the present scenario into consideration.

Once the subject or field of interest is decided, get a Bachelor degree in your chosen field that can be:-

1. Bachelors of Art (Social Sciences)
2. Bachelor of Science (In applied and Physical Science and related subjects)
3. B.E/B.Tech in related Field

Eligibility

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates who wish to apply for above given Under Graduate degree courses should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination in their related subjects.

Some time a specific percentage of marks (50% or 60%) may be demanded by the reputed institutes/universities to provide admission.

Aspiring candidate has to apply for the entrance tests like AIEEE, IIT-JEE etc. conducted by the various Universities and independent institutions like IIT’s, IIS’s, etc providing above given  degrees course of varying duration (usually 3 to 4 years for the graduates).

However some institute provides admission on the basis of % of marks in the qualifying examination.

Step 2

After getting the basic qualification in the related field of interest the aspiring candidates have to apply for the Master’s Degree that can be:-

1. Master of Science (M.Sc.)
2. M.E/ M.Tech Or any other Master’s degree in the related field.

Eligibility

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates who wish to apply for above given Post Graduate degree courses should have Bachelor’s Degree with the subject of specialization as one of them.  

Some time a specific percentage of marks (55% or 60%) may be demanded by the reputed institutes/universities to provide admission to Post Graduate Courses.

Aspiring candidate has to apply for the entrance tests like GATE etc. conducted by the various Universities and independent institutions like  PEC,  IIT’s, IIS’s, etc providing above given   Post degrees course of varying duration (usually 2 to 3 years).

However some institutes provide admission on the basis of % of marks in the qualifying examination.

Step 3

Armed with Master Degree the aspiring scientists can apply for the Doctoral (Ph.D) and Post Doctoral degrees provided by various higher education and research institutes throughout the country.

Budding scientists can take up various tests like ARS/NET, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) entrance test, Scientist Entrance test by DRDO to pursue their career as a scientist.

Scientist Career Prospects

Increasing popularity and explosive growth has generated plenty of opportunities in the field of research and development.  As India is one of the top few countries that undertake basic scientific research, scientists are required in almost every filed be  it Social Sciences, Applied and Physical  Science, Space Research, Engineering and Technology or Medicine to name a few of them. There are many institutes and organizations under Department of Science & Technology, Government of India conducting fundamental scientific research that can provide good opportunities & jobs in India to the qualified scientists with research degrees.

Some of the Institutes of repute where the budding scientist can look for jobs are:-

1. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
2. Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)
3. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
4. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
5. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
6. Indian Association for Cultivation of Science, Kolkata (IACS)
7. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)

Scientist Salary

Salary of a Scientist depends largely upon their academic qualification, institute or university from which the degree is attained and the level of work experience they have achieved.

To start with the budding scientists from prestigious institutes like IIT’s, IISc’s etc can get anything between Rs.2,00,000 to Rs.2,50,000 as annual income. There is no upper limit  for salary or other remuneratins for the sceintist once they have gained experience in their field of research.