Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities. Includes physicians, dentists, public health specialists, pharmacologists, and medical pathologists who primarily conduct research.
How AI Impacts Each Task
14 tasks analyzed
Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
Study animal and human health and physiological processes.
Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
Use equipment such as atomic absorption spectrometers, electron microscopes, flow cytometers, or chromatography systems.
Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
Investigate cause, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission of diseases or parasites.
Consult with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, and others regarding medical applications of physics, biology, and chemistry.
Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Confer with health departments, industry personnel, physicians, and others to develop health safety standards and public health improvement programs.
Write applications for research grants.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease. | 35Estimated | 41.0% | 12% | |
| Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public. | 55.27Observed | 49.1% | 12% | |
| Study animal and human health and physiological processes. | 53.9Observed | 48.6% | 10% | |
| Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Write and publish articles in scientific journals. | 60.12Observed | 51.1% | 8% | |
| Use equipment such as atomic absorption spectrometers, electron microscopes, flow cytometers, or chromatography systems. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 8% | |
| Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 8% | |
| Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds. | 56.03Observed | 49.4% | 5% | |
| Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels. | 63.62Observed | 52.5% | 8% | |
| Investigate cause, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission of diseases or parasites. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Consult with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, and others regarding medical applications of physics, biology, and chemistry. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians. | 61.72Observed | 39.7% | 3% | |
| Confer with health departments, industry personnel, physicians, and others to develop health safety standards and public health improvement programs. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Write applications for research grants. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 8% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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Percentage of workers at each education and training level
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Training Provided After Hiring
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Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
OpenAI Claims LLMs Now Surpass Human Scientists in Formulating Research
Current language models can now outperform human scientists in generating novel research questions, according to an OpenAI executive. This suggests AI is moving beyond data processing into the ideation phase of scientific discovery.
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As AI accelerates clinical trials and personalizes medicine, healthcare workers must focus on maintaining patient trust. The integration of these tools shifts the daily workload from data processing to patient relationship management.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis