Last Updated On 29 May, 2020

How to Become a Research and Development Manager

About Research and Development Manager

A Research and Development Manager is a person who performs many important roles such as planning, implementing and researching new programs within the organisation. Work and duties of a research and development manager will vary according to the type of industry in which he/ she is working. A good research and development manager should have the ability to work with all various types of companies. He must have a good knowledge of all other sectors which might affect the development of any organisation. 

Some of the major tasks performed by a research and development manager are analysing the development and progress of new programs and products, assessing staff performance, coordinating the team’s work, recruiting staff, managing budgets and preparing reports about the progress. He should be updated with the latest technologies available in the research and development field. Besides this, he must make sure that the company is meeting the safety standards. A good research and development manager is hired by companies from healthcare, business, technology, and pharmaceuticals sectors. Candidates who are interested in managing research related activities can opt for a career as a research and development manager. 

Eligibility to become Research and Development Manager

Candidates should satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements provided below in order to work as a research and development manager.

Education: Candidates who are applying for a job as a research and development manager must have a bachelor's degree in finance, human resources or general management. There are some companies that hire only those candidates who have a master's degree. Candidates are thus advised to check the eligibility criteria decided by the company before applying. 

Experience: Career as a research and development manager requires work experience of 1-2 years. Candidates who have just completed their degree can apply for an internship or part-time job for research related profile to gain experience. Besides this, they can also gain experience from startups.

Skills: Apart from the academic requirements, candidates who are applying for research and development manager profile must have some skills related to management and planning. The skills are listed below

  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Thinking and reasoning skills
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • Good spoken English skills
  • Maths knowledge
  • Good listening skills
  • Management skills
  • Leadership qualities
  • Team management skills

Types of Job Roles Research and Development Manager

There are many job profiles available for the research and development manager. Their job roles will depend on the type of industry they are working in. Some of the job profiles are as follows

  • Market Research Manager
  • Product Development Manager
  • Research and Development Engineer
  • Research and Development Director
  • Business Development Manager
  • Assistant General Manager (Research and Development)
  • Research Associate
  • Research Development Manager

Employment Opportunities for Research and Development Manager

Many companies require good research and development manager. Candidates can apply for a job as per their interest. Some of the sectors where they can apply are :

  • Construction
  • Insurance
  • Healthcare
  • Financial service
  • IT companies
  • Media
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Software and networking
  • Aerospace and defence

Top Recruiting Agencies for Research and Development Manager

Some of the major recruiting companies hiring research and development managers are

  • IBM India
  • Flipkart
  • Oracle
  • Accenture
  • Nokia
  • Google
  • Pidilite Industries
  • Amazon
  • Mahindra and Mahindra Limited
  • Tata Motors

Planning to choose Research and Development Manager as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Research and Development Manager

Salary of a Research and Development Manager will depend upon the type of industry and profile of the candidate. The average salary of a research and development manager is provided in the table below.   

Profile

Starting Salary per annum (in INR)

Mid Level Salary per annum (in INR)

Senior Level Salary per annum (INR)

Research and Development Manager

4,01,000

10,00,000

30,00,000

Business Development Manager

2,72,000

6,02,000

10,00,000

Product Development Manager

3,79,000

10,00,000

20,00,000

Books & Study Material to Become Research and Development Manager

A research and development manager should be well updated with the latest information in the field of research and development. There are many books available in the market that can help the research and development manager to understand more about the industry. Some of the books recommended for research and development manager are listed below.

  • Competitive Strategy by M.E. Porter 
  • The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning by H. Mintzberg
  • The Economic Laws of Scientific Research by T. Kealey 
  • Strategy Safari by H. Mintzberg, B Ahlstrand, J. Lampel 
  • The Reflective Practitioner by D.A. Schone
  • Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation by R.A. Burgelman, M.A. Maidique 
  • The Innovation War by C. F. Von Braun 
  • Managing the Design Factory by D.G. Reinertsen
  • World Class Quality by K.R. Bhote
  • Third Generation R&D by P.A. Roussel K. N. Saad T. J. Erickson
  • R&D Tactics by H.R. Kaufman 
  • Think Like A UX Researcher by David Travis
  • Competing Against Luck  by Clayton M.Christensen

Pros of becoming a Research and Development Manager

  • Many companies are hiring research and development managers which offers a variety of options for you. You can choose any industry to work.
  • Being a research and development manager allows you to explore different fields. You also get to know about other departments of the company.
  • You will find it interesting if you like analysing and collating information.

Cons of becoming a Research and Development Manager

  • A career as a research and development manager offers a lack of job security.
  • Sometimes you will have to complete the project alone.
  • You have to analyse the performance and development at regular intervals.
  • You will be responsible for managing the tasks of other team members.

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