Home › Management › Natural Sciences Managers

How a natural sciences manager can use AI, task by task

O*NET 11-9121.00: Natural Sciences ManagersMedian pay $167,220/year (BLS, May 2025)16 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Analytical Services Manager, Chemical Engineer Supervisor, Chemical Process Exploration Manager, Environmental Program Manager, Lab Manager (Laboratory Manager), Natural Sciences Manager, Research Administrator, Research and Development Director (R and D Director), Research Manager, Water Team Leader.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 19%AI-assist 43%Stays human 38%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 3 AI-ready, 8 AI-assist and 5 human-led tasks out of 16. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

AI can draft these 3

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.

Weekly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 68% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Project or operation: [describe]
Updates: [paste]

Draft a status report: on track, risks, decisions needed. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Status report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you review project activities (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Project or operation] and [Updates] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare operational progress or status reports.. Also involves: Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities..

Prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to prepare and administer budgets, approve and review expenditures, and prepare financial reports.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Report: [budget, expense, financial summary]
Figures and context: [paste numbers, notes]
Audience: [board, manager, regulator]

Draft the report with a summary, tables, variances explained and next steps. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Financial or budget report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare and administer budgets.
Step 2Fill in [Report], [Figures and context] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute every total and check each variance explanation against the books. Recompute every total yourself.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.. Also involves: Approve expenditures.; Prepare operational budgets..

Prepare project proposals.

A few times a year

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to prepare project proposals.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Project: [describe]
Funder: [requirements]

Draft the proposal. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Funding proposal

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare project proposals.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Funder] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding..

AI can help you prep these 8

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.

Weekly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.

Stakeholders: [media, parties]
Goal: [describe]

Draft a coordination message. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Stakeholder coordination

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you confer with scientists, engineers and regulators (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Stakeholders] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Coordinate operational activities with external stakeholders..

Determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to determine scientific or technical goals within broad outlines provided by top management and make detailed plans to accomplish these goals.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and SAP software; the work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Department: [describe]
Priorities: [list]

Draft objectives, deadlines and owners. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Department goals

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you determine scientific or technical goals.
Step 2Fill in [Department] and [Priorities] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop organizational goals or objectives..

Conduct own research in field of expertise.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to conduct own research in field of expertise.

Context: We use IBM SPSS Statistics and SAS; the work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Ecosystem and process: [describe]
Resources: [sites, instruments, time]

Suggest hypotheses, sampling design, measurements, and literature. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Ecosystem process study

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct own research in field of expertise.
Step 2Fill in [Ecosystem and process] and [Resources] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Adapt the sampling design to your actual sites.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.. Also involves: Conduct research to gain information about products or processes..

Develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.

Monthly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to develop or implement policies, standards, or procedures for the architectural, scientific, or technical work performed to ensure regulatory compliance or operations enhancement.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Area: [security, IT, operations]
Goals: [what needs to happen reliably]
Constraints: [staff, budget, rules]

Draft an operating procedure with steps, responsibilities, checks and escalation. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Operating plan or procedure

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop or implement policies, standards and procedures.
Step 2Fill in [Area], [Goals] and [Constraints] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Revise and publish the version that matches reality. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.. Also involves: Implement organizational process or policy changes.; Develop organizational policies or programs..

Recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.

Monthly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to recruit personnel or oversee the development or maintenance of staff competence.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Role: [describe]
Channels: [describe]

Draft a posting and outreach message. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Recruitment materials

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recruit personnel. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Role] and [Channels] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Recruit personnel.. Also involves: Manage human resources activities..

Develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.

Monthly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to develop innovative technology or train staff for its implementation.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat.
Process: [production, inspection]
Critical points: [where problems happen]

Draft a procedure with sampling points, methods, records and responses. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Quality or tracking procedure

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop innovative technology.
Step 2Fill in [Process] and [Critical points] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop organizational methods or procedures.. Also involves: Conduct employee training programs..

Make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.

A few times a year

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to make presentations at professional meetings to further knowledge in the field.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Topic: [speech, article, statement]
Audience: [describe]

Write key messages and answers to likely questions. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Public presentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you make presentations.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Present information to the public..

Advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.

A few times a year

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 36% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Topic: [EEO, patents, regulations]
Audience: [management]

Explain requirements and actions. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Compliance advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advise or assist in obtaining patents or meeting other legal requirements.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Advise others on legal or regulatory compliance matters..

These stay human 5

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Impact of decisions: important results · Responsible for others' health and safety: high responsibility

Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Organization: [describe]
Priority or change: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing the organization

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis and solution proposals (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Organization] and [Priority or change] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct organizational operations, projects, or services.. Also involves: Develop organizational methods or procedures..

Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Project: [research, operations]
Team: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Managing projects

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you plan or direct research, development and production activities (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Team] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Manage operations, research, or logistics projects.. Also involves: Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.; Direct organizational operations, projects, or services..

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.

Weekly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Role: [job]
Evidence: [goals, results, examples, no names]

Organize the evidence by goal, draft balanced talking points, and questions to ask the employee. Point out where my evidence is thin.

10-minute exercise: Prepare a performance review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians and researchers (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Role] and [Evidence] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Fill the evidence gaps, then decide the rating yourself.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Evaluate employee performance.. Also involves: Supervise employees.; Hire personnel..

Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.

Monthly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Setting: [reception, conference, meeting]
Who I want to connect with: [type of person]

Prepare conversation starters and how to move to a next step. Then play the contact. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Relationship-building conversations

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop client relationships. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Setting] and [Who I want to connect with] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Note one personal detail to remember for next time.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Establish interpersonal business relationships to facilitate work activities.. Also involves: Communicate organizational information to customers or other stakeholders..

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.

Weekly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a natural sciences manager. Part of my job is to 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.

Context: The work draws on biology, chemistry and personnel and human resources.
Animals: [species, setting]
What I check: [behaviour, appetite, injuries]

List signs of illness or distress, when to call the vet, and a daily log. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Animal observation checklist

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide for stewardship of plant or animal resources or habitats (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Animals] and [What I check] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Monitor animal behavior or condition.. Also involves: Advise others about land management or conservation..

Get the full prompt pack for Natural Sciences Managers

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Where should we send your PDF?

Your Natural Sciences Managers prompt pack downloads straight away, and a copy goes to your inbox.

We'll also send occasional updates about this playbook. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Monitoringimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Social Perceptivenessimportance 3.4/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Coordinationimportance 3.4/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Developing Objectives and Strategies
  • Writingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Speakingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Developing Objectives and Strategies
  • Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Developing Objectives and Strategies

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

  • Molecular and Cellular Biologists45% human-led · Same preparation · $98,920/yr · usually bachelor's degreeSkills to build: Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making
  • Physicians, Pathologists65% human-led · Same preparation · $312,400/yr · usually post-doctoral trainingSkills to build: Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Instructing
  • Dentists, General88% human-led · Same preparation · $170,950/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Operation and Control, Service Orientation
  • Animal Scientists4% human-led · Same preparation · $68,940/yr · usually doctoral degreeYour skills already line up

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (35% of workers)

  • Associate's 7%
  • Bachelor's 37%
  • Graduate degree 55%
  • On-the-job training: 3–6 months
  • Related experience: 4–6 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe AcrobatAdobe PhotoshopESRI ArcGIS softwareIBM SPSS StatisticsMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Visio