Plan, administer and review the Research and Development program and activities of an organisation.
Research and development managers:
- direct the development of research and development (R&D) strategies, policies and plans
- lead major research projects and coordinate the activities of other research workers
- monitor the costs and assess the benefits of research and development activities
- interpret the results of research projects and recommend new products or services
- provide advice on research and development options available to the organisation
- monitor any developments in the research area and work out how these may affect the organisation; and publish the results of significant research projects as required
If you want to be a research and development manager, there are many areas where you could find job opportunities.
You could be employed in federal and state/territory government organisations, research institutes, manufacturing firms, trade unions, political parties, hospitals, universities, not-for-profit organisations and private sector organisations which provide consultancy services on various issues. Employment prospects for research staff are growing. The work is mostly full time, although there are also opportunities for part time and casual work in some areas.
Source: myFuture
Disclaimer: This page provides study pathway and career options as a guide only. You should contact the Admissions Centre, International Centre or relevant Faculties for full details.
Study pathways
The following study pathway shows the most common and direct route for a UWA student to pursue this career.
Undergraduate
- Economics (single major)
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Management
- Political Science and International Relations
- Population Health
- Quantitative Methods
- Social and Applied Psychology
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Postgraduate
Postgraduate study is not required for this occupation, but may be helpful for career advancement.
Relevant postgraduate courses include: -
Research
Relevant majors include:
Graduate profile
- Joe Clare
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Research Associate, Crime Research Centre UWA. (PhD)
I decided to go to university because I thought this would improve my chances of being accepted into the Federal Police.
When I'd completed my Bachelor degree, I still wanted to join the Police but was also enjoying studying, so I decided to continue into a fourth year. After Honours came a PhD, which was, once again, a course of action I had no intention of undertaking when I first entered UWA.
The reason my goals kept changing was due, I think, to the development of my understanding of possibilities for employment that I had no knowledge of before. As my awareness increased, my aspirations changed accordingly.
During my postgraduate studies I did casual work for a private research company, and was involved in undergraduate teaching within the School of Psychology at UWA. I also worked in the UWA Statistics Office, during which there was an opportunity for me to join the Crime Research Centre.