Operational researcher

Operational researcher job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Operational research involves:

• determining and clarifying strategic and operational problems via consultation with appropriate employees
• outlining objectives
• collecting, analysing and interpreting data
• identifying and assessing possible strategies
• presenting results that are easily understood
• implementing agreed solutions.

A large proportion of the work utilises numerical and computational analytical techniques, often using expert systems and artificial intelligence. Contact with managerial staff and other relevant personnel is a key feature of the job.

Typical employers of operational researchers

• consultancies
• the Civil Service
• financial organisations
• commercial organisations
• industrial organisations.

Vacancies are advertised by careers services, in national newspapers and specialist publications such as The Journal of the Institute of Management Service. The Operational Research Society produces a range of useful publications, including a list of companies with vacancies.

Qualifications and training required

Many entrants study subjects such as computing, mathematics and statistics. There are a number of postgraduate courses available in operational research and employers often prefer candidates who have completed one.

Relevant experience can also be helpful, although difficult to obtain: placements and vacation work are highly sought after, making early applications essential.

Key skills for operational researchers

• good intellectual skills
• logical skills
• problem solving abilities
• effective team working skills
• interpersonal skills
• a diplomatic and persuasive manner
• verbal and written communication skills.