Research scientist (maths): Job description

Research mathematicians work in a wide range of areas and carry out many different tasks. Common employers include private or government research laboratories, commercial manufacturing companies and universities.

The work often involves: proving deep and abstract theorems; developing mathematical descriptions (mathematical models) to explain or predict real phenomena such as the spread of cancer or the flow of liquids; and applying mathematical principles to identify trends in data sets. Applied research can also contribute to the development of a commercial product or develop intelligence about business trends.

Collaboration with other scientists and people in other commercial functions in industry is very common because the application of mathematics is so varied. Research is undertaken into a diverse range of pure and applied maths including algebra, analysis, combinatorics, differential equations, dynamic systems, geometry and topology, fluid mechanics, mathematical biology and numerical analysis.

Typical work activities

Mathematicians in commercial organisations are involved in developing new products and providing insight into business performance. They are likely to be allocated specific projects. In smaller organisations, they may be involved in all stages of the product - from concept to customer.

In academic and research organisations, projects are undertaken to develop the understanding of particular areas of maths. There are very few pure research posts in universities, and most mathematicians working in research will also have teaching responsibilities. This may involve giving lectures to large groups of students, giving tutorials to small groups and setting and marking work including examinations.

Work in both settings usually involves some office-based activities and the use of specialist computer systems.

Tasks will vary depending on the specific work environment and organisation but may include the following:

• identifying solutions by learning and applying new methods, e.g. designing mathematical models that interpret data in a meaningful way;
• keeping up to date with new mathematical developments and producing original mathematics research;
• using specialist mathematical software such as Mathematica, Matlab or Mathcad or using software languages such as C/C++ or Visual Basic to develop programs to perform mathematical functions;
• presenting findings at group and departmental meetings as well as to senior management;
• attending and sometimes presenting at national and international scientific conferences and meetings in a particular field of interest;
• meeting with clients throughout projects to discuss ideas and results;
• advising clients on how to benefit from mathematical analysis, making recommendations based on these analyses;
• writing applications for funding;
• managing a research team (or group of research students in academic settings);
• producing tailored solutions to business problems using innovative and existing methods as well as suggesting new ways to analyse data;
• providing more sophisticated insights into available data;
• sharing the implications of new research by producing regular reports on the development of work as well as writing original papers for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.