Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Medical Scientist
What medical scientists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a medical scientist?
Review trial enrollment. From there, the day usually includes design studies, run lab experiments, and design clinical trials. Full time, often long hours around deadlines.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a medical scientist working full time.
- Review trial enrollment.
- Lab meeting.
- Analyze drug response data.
- Meet clinicians.
- Write a grant aim.
- Review a manuscript.
- Plan experiments.
Where medical scientists work
Medical scientists work in labs, hospitals and offices.
Hours and schedule
Full time, often long hours around deadlines.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Design studies
- Run lab experiments
- Design clinical trials
- Analyze data
- Write grants
- Publish findings
- Lead research teams
Tools you’ll use every day
- Lab equipment
- Statistical software
- REDCap
- Imaging systems
- ELNs
- Reference managers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- High pay
- Medical impact
- Intellectual challenge
What’s hard
- Very long training
- Grant pressure
- Slow progress
- Competitive
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to cure diseases
- I love research
- I’m persistent
- I can write grants
- I’m willing to train for years
- I want high pay
Not sure? Take the free Medical Scientist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow IRB rules
- Follow biosafety
- Protect patient data
- Report adverse events