A research supervisor can work in a variety of fields. A research supervisor’s responsibilities in any industry are likely to include overseeing the work of other researchers, as well as leading projects and providing some client support. A person in this position may also be responsible for establishing revenue projections and ensuring that a specific department meets those goals.
A research supervisor in the finance industry can expect to conduct market research for a specific sector of the economy. This person frequently works with databases and spreadsheets, and may be expected to conduct research and write reports for other employees and clients. It’s possible that this supervisor will be involved in some way in the sales process. Salespeople may need to know what types of research studies are being conducted, and a research supervisor may be required to fulfill proprietary requests for specific clients.
A research supervisor is unlikely to be the most senior member of a division, so he or she may report to a group manager. The real estate industry, for example, is a research-heavy industry. A supervisor in this field might respond to questions from commercial real estate agents in order to provide context and background information on a piece of property.
Even if he or she reports to a manager, the research supervisor in real estate may have some seniority and be responsible for budgeting the department’s expenses as well as providing opinions on properties and entire regional markets. This individual may be in charge of overseeing the work of other research personnel as well as the training of new employees. This supervisor may also be required to conduct reviews of the work of other researchers, which may include writing written assessments of their work and making salary recommendations.
Agricultural facilities in impoverished areas may hire a research supervisor who will play an active role in the community. This position may necessitate relocation on the part of the professional, though it is possible that this is only a temporary assignment. Assessing a location’s potential for farming and agricultural development could be part of the job. This supervisor’s research could be used to try to improve the production of a piece of farmland so that residents of rural poverty areas have more food. A researcher in this supervisory position might also help farmers learn how to get the most out of their resources and technology.