Research Manager
Snapshot
Research managers oversee the research and development functions of a research facility or program or university. They support the executive staff, coordinate work activities, and monitor staff and research projects. They may work in a wide array of sectors, such as the chemical, technical and life sciences sector. Research managers can also advise on research and execute research themselves.
Research managers are vital leaders within research facilities, universities, and various industries like chemical, technical, and life sciences. Your role involves overseeing the entire research and development process, from initial planning to final execution. You’ll work closely with executive staff, coordinate team activities, and monitor progress to ensure projects stay on track and achieve their goals. You may also be involved in conducting research yourself and providing expert advice on research strategies.
- • Planning and coordinating research projects, defining scope, timelines, and budgets.
- • Managing and mentoring research teams, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.
- • Monitoring research progress, identifying and resolving challenges, and ensuring adherence to ethical and regulatory guidelines.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Administrative and commercial managers — 69 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and 2 more.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $167,220 2025-05 | +3.7% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +5.4% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Assessed as balanced Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | +22.3% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £54,857 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for research manager
The outlook for research manager reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could research manager change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- cope with challenging demands
- manage budgets
- manage staff
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- perform scientific research
- study topics
- respect cultural differences in the field of exhibition
Tasks most exposed to automation
- report analysis results
- estimate duration of work
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Management & Entrepreneurship
A typical day as a research manager
09 09:00 · Morning cope with challenging demands
10 10:30 · Mid-morning provide project information on exhibitions
12 12:00 · Midday respect cultural differences in the field of exhibition
14 14:00 · Afternoon study a collection
15 15:30 · Late afternoon work independently on exhibitions
17 17:00 · Wrap-up study topics
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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study topics
Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal discussions with knowledgeable persons.
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study a collection
Research and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.
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manage budgets
Plan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.
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manage staff
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
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provide project information on exhibitions
Provide information on the preparation, execution and evaluation of exhibitions and other artistic projects.
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discuss research proposals
Discuss proposals and projects with researchers, decide on resources to allocate and whether to move forward with the study.
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respect cultural differences in the field of exhibition
Respect cultural differences when creating artistic concepts and exhibitions. Collaborate with international artists, curators, museums and sponsors.
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report analysis results
Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as potential interpretations of the results.
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manage research and development projects
Plan, organise, direct and follow up on projects aimed at developing new products, implementing innovative services, or further developing existing ones.
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cope with challenging demands
Maintain a positive attitude towards new and challenging demands such as interaction with artists and handling of artistic artefacts. Work under pressure such as dealing with last moment changes in time schedules and financial restraints.
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work independently on exhibitions
Work autonomously on the development of a framework for artistic projects such as locations and workflows.
project management
The discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
computational chemistry
The branch of chemistry that aims at addressing complex chemical problems through computer simulations.
urban sustainability
The branch of urban planning that aims to improve, social, economic and environmental conditions of a city.
- multidisciplinary research
- research design
- scientific research methodology
- biology
- chemistry
- image recognition
- laboratory techniques
- physics
- project management principles
Path to become a research manager
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Master's or equivalent level
466 programmes in 23 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 451 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
MSc in Physics
Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin · Ireland
Pre-master Applied Physics
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven · the Netherlands
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics
University of Limerick · Ireland
Physics with Energy & Envi
Technological University Dublin · Ireland
These are 6 of 917.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does research manager fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of educational background is typically needed to become a research manager?
Are research managers typically employed, or do they often work independently?
How do the key work styles (leadership, strategic thinking, detail-oriented) impact the daily work of a research manager?
Is there a shortage of Research Manager in Europe?
How much does Research Manager pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 19, 2026 About our data