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Computer & Information Research Scientist

Technology

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

Computer ScienceData Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
  2. 2Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
  3. 3Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
  4. 4Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
  5. 5Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
  6. 6Design computers and the software that runs them.
  7. 7Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
  8. 8Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
  9. 9Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
  10. 10Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
  11. 11Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
  12. 12Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
  13. 13Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards.
  14. 14Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
  15. 15Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Scientist
  • AI Engineer
  • Cryptologist
  • NLP Engineer
  • AI Specialist
  • Applied Scientist
  • Research Engineer
  • Computer Scientist
  • R and D Specialist
  • Research Scientist

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. Typical entry

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Computers and Electronics91%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Mathematics81%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Engineering and Technology79%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • English Language78%

    English

  • Administration and Management66%

    BusinessEconomics

  • Design65%

    Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentRarely
  • Time spent sittingAlmost all the time

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

23%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

0.12%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job — and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

On Malaysia's official shortage list

TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List — evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.

Matched to a related occupation on the list, not this exact job title.

Research and Development Professionals · Shortage indicators met: 5/12

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Cybersecurity Analyst

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

If this interests you, these are worth a look too.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Computer and Information Research Scientists

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue