Science & Research Job Description Templates
This hub contains downloadable job-description templates for laboratory, field and data-focused science roles, from entry-level assistants to senior researchers and managers. Use the templates to pick a role closest to your vacancy, adapt the duties and required techniques to your lab or project, and ensure you set out reporting lines, funding/contract details and any health, safety or compliance needs before advertising.
Find the closest role, then make it yours.
Start with the job title that best matches your vacancy and edit the responsibilities, requirements, salary, working pattern and benefits before publishing.
What should a Science & Research job description include?
Lead with the role’s primary purpose and measurable outputs (experiments, reports, datasets or publications). Include essential techniques or equipment experience, required level of qualification and any safety/clearance needs, plus contract/funding and clear career or line-management information.
9 science & research job description examples
Select the role closest to your vacancy. Each template gives you an editable starting point plus role-specific responsibilities, skills, salary considerations and hiring guidance.
Hiring for science & research roles
Science and research roles vary markedly by setting and purpose. Academic and public-sector posts often emphasise grant-funded projects, publications and teaching or supervisory duties, with fixed-term contracts common. Industry roles prioritise product or process development, regulatory awareness and cross-functional collaboration, with a stronger focus on applied outcomes and IP. Technical and support posts (laboratory assistants, technicians) centre on routine methods, equipment maintenance and QA; specialist roles (microbiologists, biochemists, data scientists) require deeper methodological expertise. Senior positions combine technical leadership, project management and stakeholder engagement, while entry-level roles focus on reliable lab practice and data handling.
Lab & Field Science
Templates for roles that work in laboratories or the field — specify instruments, biosafety levels, sample types, shift patterns and contamination-control procedures relevant to your environment.
Research & Data Roles
Templates for researchers, data scientists and project leads — emphasise study design, statistical or coding skills, data governance, publication expectations and collaboration with external partners.
How to write a better science & research job advert
The template gives you the structure. These details are what make the finished advert more useful to the right candidates.
Be specific about techniques and equipment
List the experimental methods, instruments and software candidates must know rather than general phrases like “lab experience”. This helps screen for the right hands‑on ability.
State outputs and KPIs
Describe expected deliverables such as experiments per month, datasets cleaned, reports delivered or publications supported so applicants understand performance measures.
Clarify funding and contract details
If post is grant-funded or fixed-term, state the funding duration, start date and any conditions tied to the project to avoid later withdrawals.
Set out health, safety and compliance needs
Include biosafety level, hazardous substances handling, PPE requirements and any mandatory safety training to filter for safe, compliant applicants.
Explain collaboration and progression
Describe whether the role works in single-discipline teams, cross-functional groups or with external partners, and outline typical career or training pathways.
Include data and record-keeping expectations
Specify laboratory notebooks, electronic data capture systems, statistical software or coding languages used and the standard for data documentation and archiving.
Science & Research salary considerations
Salary in science and research depends on the role’s seniority, specialism, employer sector and contract type. Rather than listing figures, consider the following factors to position pay competitively.
- Seniority and remit — technical support, independent researcher or team leader each attract different pay scales.
- Specialism and scarcity — niche skills (e.g. mass spectrometry, bioinformatics) command higher premiums.
- Employer sector — academic, public sector, private biotech, pharmaceutical or contract research organisations have differing salary ranges and benefits.
- Location and local market — regional pay differences and proximity to research clusters or universities affect offers.
- Contract type and funding — permanent roles versus fixed-term or grant-funded posts influence total compensation and job security.
Science & Research job description FAQs
Do I need to list every technique a candidate might use?
No. Separate essential techniques that applicants must already have from desirable skills you can provide training for; this reduces unsuitable applications while keeping the pool broad.
Should I ask for publications or patents on the advert?
Only if publications or IP are core to the role. For most lab and technician posts focus on demonstrable experience and outputs; for research leads, note publication expectations and authorship conventions.
How do I advertise short-term or grant-funded posts?
Clearly state contract length, funding source and any renewal possibility; emphasise the project goals and what the candidate will gain (skills, publications) to attract applicants despite the temporary nature.
Are specific qualifications always required?
Qualifications vary by role — many technical posts accept practical experience and vocational training, while specialist or senior roles commonly require degrees or higher research qualifications. State the minimum and preferred qualifications for clarity.
How should I assess lab safety and competence before interview?
Use a short pre-screen questionnaire about relevant practices and certifications, request examples of past procedures or SOPs followed, and include practical assessments or technique demonstrations at interview for critical tasks.
Ready to post your Science & Research vacancy?
Choose a template above, tailor the techniques, outputs and contract details to your project, then post to specialist boards or contact us for help writing and distributing your advert.
