Natural Sciences Managers
Official O*NET title: Natural Sciences Managers (11-9121.00)
Also called: analytical services manager, chemical engineer supervisor, chemical process exploration manager, environmental program manager, lab manager
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing natural sciences managers work
6 of 14 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 43%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare project proposals (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Conduct own research in field of expertise (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan or direct research, development, or production activities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Talk with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop or put in place policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to make sure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Recruit staff or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements — some recorded AI use
- Provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats, studying land use, monitoring animal populations, or providing shelter, resources, or medical treatment for animals — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status”. Try the prompt for: “Prepare project proposals”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and natural sciences managers
Will AI replace natural sciences managers?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 6 of the 14 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 9 of the 16 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which natural sciences manager tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements; develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status; prepare project proposals.
Which natural sciences manager tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff; plan or direct research, development, or production activities; talk with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 38% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a natural sciences manager start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Natural Sciences Managers ranks #168 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #19 of 45 in Science & Research.
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