Observational Research and Empirical Methods
Apply observational research and empirical methods to collect data and validate scientific hypotheses.
Skill demand · ONS UK online job adverts
How common is science and research?
This requirement appears in 3.0% of UK new online job adverts in 2025. Its share rose by 0.4 percentage points compared with 2024.
The latest year is partial. Comparisons with full years need care. 2026 figures have not been published yet.Share of new adverts3.0%UK · 2025
Change in share+0.4 pp2024 to 2025
Loading relevant jobs…
What this skill category covers
Official detailed requirements in this ONS group
Understanding Scientific Principles
Knowledge of fundamental scientific laws and concepts applied in research and problem-solving.
Biological Science Knowledge
Knowledge of biological science principles and applications.
Time Measurement and Chronometric Systems
Apply time measurement techniques and manage chronometric systems for precision and scheduling.
ONS Table 1 detailed requirements · SCO01.11. Shares can overlap because an advert may mention several requirements.
Roles that often need this skill category
Occupations where science and research appears most often in UK new adverts
| # | Occupation | Share of occupation adverts | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data analysts Example titles: Data analyst · Mi analyst · Data officer · O&m analyst | 62.7% | |
| 2 | Actuaries, economists and statisticians Example titles: Economist · Web analyst · Data scientist · Digital analyst | 42.3% | |
| 3 | Other researchers, unspecified discipline Example titles: Researcher · Research fellow · Research officer · Research assistant | 30.3% | |
| 4 | Business and related research professionals Example titles: Research worker · Crime analyst · Media analyst · UX researcher | 28.9% | |
| 5 | Management consultants and business analysts Example titles: Business analyst · Team leader · Risk analyst · BI consultant | 27.1% | |
| 6 | Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. Example titles: Sports scientist · Technical officer · Consumer scientist · Research assistant | 27.1% | |
| 7 | Research and development (R&D) managers Example titles: Research and development manager · NPD manager · Head of design · Head of research | 24.0% | |
| 8 | Data entry administrators Example titles: Data entry administrator · Vdu clerk · Input clerk · Ibm operator | 20.2% | |
| 9 | Marketing and commercial managers Example titles: Marketing manager · Ppc manager · SEO manager · Client manager | 19.1% | |
| 10 | Biological scientists Example titles: Scientist · Soil chemist · Field officer · Plant breeder | 17.4% |
How related skills compare
Skills within Academic and Scientific Research
| # | Skill | Share of adverts | Change (pp) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Sciences Sociology and Social Science Studies · Geography Knowledge · Justice Studies Knowledge | 7.3% | -1.4 pp | |
| 2 | Science and Research Selected skill · Observational Research and Empirical Methods · Understanding Scientific Principles · Biological Science Knowledge | 3.0% | +0.4 pp | |
| 3 | Humanities and Social Sciences Cultural Exchange Program Management Skills · Anthropology and Humanities Study Knowledge · Religious Studies and Theology | 1.0% | +0.2 pp | |
| 4 | Physical Sciences Physics and Advanced Computational Science · Natural Science Knowledge · Space Sciences | 0.9% | +0.1 pp | |
| 5 | Academic Research Note-Taking and Reference Management Tools · Information Access · Document Preparation Systems | 0.1% | 0.0 pp | |
| 6 | Media and Research Methods Fact-Checking Techniques | 0.1% | 0.0 pp | |
| 7 | Legal and Social Sciences Criminology and Organized Crime Knowledge | 0.1% | 0.0 pp | |
| 8 | Engineering and Scientific Computing Finite Element Analysis and Simulation Software · Computer Algebra Systems · Electromagnetic Simulation Software Skills | 0.1% | 0.0 pp | |
| 9 | Mathematics and Applied Domains Spatial Reasoning Skills · Game Theory Concepts | 0.0% | 0.0 pp | |
| 10 | Physics and Optics Optical Dispersion Theory · Wave Physics and Optics Knowledge | 0.0% | 0.0 pp | |
| 11 | Natural Sciences Mineralogy Knowledge · Geology Knowledge · Palaeontology | 0.0% | 0.0 pp | |
| 12 | Physics and Astronomy Stellar System Concept Knowledge | 0.0% | 0.0 pp |
About these figures
How to interpret skill demand
Source: Office for National Statistics, UK online job adverts. Shares describe new adverts reporting the requirement. An advert may mention several skills, so their shares do not add up to 100%. A rise from 10% to 12% is an increase of 2 percentage points.
These figures do not establish a salary premium, proficiency level, or which skills are requested together. This page has no published skill-specific salary or location breakdown.
ONS · 2025 · partial year · 2026 figures have not been published yet. · Open Government Licence v3.0. ONS does not endorse Jobmundo.