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Research and development manager

Also called researcher, market research manager, research and development director

Research and development managers coordinate the efforts of scientists, academical researchers, product developers, and market researchers towards the creation of new products, the improvement of current ones or other research activities, including scientific research. They manage and plan research and development activities of an organisation, specify goals and budget requirements and manage the staff.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects18 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Administrative and commercial managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,500 (Romania) to €12,800 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Administrative and commercial managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree8 in 10 have a degree.Administrative and commercial managersWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Research and development managers · ILO

What you'd do

Research and development managers · ILO
  • Planning, directing and coordinating research and development activities, in-house or commissioned from external research organizations, to develop new or improved technical processes, products, knowledge, or utilization of materials
  • Planning the overall research and development programme of an enterprise or organization, specifying goals and budgetary requirements
  • Leading and managing the activities of research and development staff
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
  • Planning and directing daily operations
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
  • Representing the enterprise or organization at conventions, seminars and conferences
Analyse external factors of companiesAnalyse internal factors of companiesPerform market researchCarry out strategic researchManage research and development projects+ 16 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Natural Sciences Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as administrative and commercial managers in the EU
2.6m3.02m2.85m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
660,000 replacing leavers 115,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Administrative and commercial managers18
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of research and development managers, 5 a surplus.
Research and development managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,500 a month (Romania) to €12,800 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in management and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of administrative and commercial managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 76%Vocational 14%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 2%
Fields that teach it
Management and administration · Marketing and advertising
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.40 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Planning, directing and coordinating research and development activities, in-house or commissioned from external research organizations, to develop new or improved technical processes, products, knowledge, or utilization of materials0.50
Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures0.47
Representing the enterprise or organization at conventions, seminars and conferences0.41
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.40
Planning the overall research and development programme of an enterprise or organization, specifying goals and budgetary requirements0.40
Leading and managing the activities of research and development staff0.36
Planning and directing daily operations0.33
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff0.32

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for research and development managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).