Mathematicians

What the job really is

Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-2021
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
• Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
• Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
• Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
• Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
• Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
• Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
• Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.
• Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
• Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
• Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.
• Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.

Tools and technology

Adobe Photoshop, Apple macOS, Atlassian JIRA, Bash, C, C#, C++, Cascading style sheets CSS, Chatbot software, Extensible markup language XML, Hypertext markup language HTML, IBM SPSS Statistics

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Data Scientists
• Physicists
• Statisticians
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Bioinformatics Scientists
• Astronomers
• Bioinformatics Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Mathematicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.