You must have a background in the hard sciences or engineering to work as a research and development (R&D) manager. It’s also a good idea to have a master’s degree in your chosen field. In order to effectively command a team and execute a product development plan, managers must also develop strong leadership and time management skills.
To become a research and development manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, depending on the type of research and development career you want to pursue. The pharmaceutical industry employs a large number of R&D managers who ensure that new pharmaceutical drugs comply with government regulations before being released to the market. A degree in chemistry or biology would be extremely beneficial in this endeavor.
Other jobs in research and development entail creating new technologies to make people’s lives easier. Computer science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and other related fields are required for technology research and development jobs. As an R&D manager for a high-tech firm, you’ll put your education to work by overseeing the design and testing of critical devices, which could range from life-saving medical devices to sleeker electronic readers.
A bachelor’s degree will prepare you to work as a staff engineer or scientist on a research development team, but it will not prepare you to manage research and development. To become a research and development manager, most companies require candidates to have at least a master’s degree, if not a doctorate degree (PhD). With a master’s degree in the hard sciences or engineering, you’ll be able to publish a large number of articles in your field, increasing your influence and expanding your knowledge in a specific field. Master’s degree holders or PhD candidates who have published a significant amount of work in reputable journals are highly valued by employers. Such work demonstrates their commitment to the field and their ability to advise and manage a large research and development team.
To work as a research and development manager, you must have strong leadership abilities, which often entails excellent time management abilities. Typically, products are manufactured on a tight schedule. As a manager, you’ll need to figure out how to best schedule your employees’ time and prioritize tasks due to the nature of the production environment. Any R&D manager must be able to communicate effectively with his or her employees, whether it’s praising them for a job well done or providing constructive criticism.