Researcher

Computing

The field of computing is of particular importance to spacefaring societies, and the calculations involved in all modern technology are far too advanced to be conducted purely by organic minds. Computers are responsible for running everything from cybernetics to hovercars to weather control systems to spacelane traffic control. As such, there is always a high demand for programmers and computer scientists across every starfaring nation.

The biggest single advance in the field of computing was that of the development of the positronic matrix and artificial intelligence. Far from the outdated algorithm-based "AI" created by pre-FTL civilisations, positronic AI is fully capable of learning and introspection. AI rights are one of the major issues of the present day, and many computer scientists have strong opinions on the topic.

Field Manipulation

Particle and energy fields are of critical importance to modern society, and especially spaceflight. The ability to manipulate these fields has resulted in many important technological breakthroughs, such as the structural integrity field, energy shield, and cloaking device. Energy fields are also used in enhancing traditional power generation and harvesting delicate substances, such as volatile motes and dark matter.

Particles

The field of particle studies involves, as the name suggests, the study of particles and their interactions with the universe. This includes obvious fields of study, such as energy generation and weapons, but also the study of how dimensions can interact. The field of hyperspace research, for example, is commonly accepted to fall under particle studies.

Compared to other fields of physics, particle studies has developed the most clearly visible technologies: starship and planetside reactors, laser and plasma weapons, hyper drives, and anti-gravity.

Biology

Biology is the study of life itself. Biologists study everything from the smallest microbes to the largest space dragon and everything in between, hoping to uncover the secrets of biological life. Every colony ship carries a complement of biologists in order to study and catalogue the xeno life forms present on their new home. This is done for both purely scientific and practical reasons: learning which foods are safe for consumption by which species is critical for establishing agriculture as soon as possible.

Aside from agriculture, biologists have been critical in the field of genetic studies and modification. The ability to manipulate the genetic code of individuals has greatly improved the quality of life of trillions of sapients across the galaxy, eliminating diseases and genetic disorders that have killed or crippled untold numbers throughout history. Cloning is an important, and extremely controversial, subfield of genetic studies. Research into cloning has revolutionised medical care, xenological studies, and warfare as the galaxy understands it.

New Worlds

Cartography, geology, hydrology, and many other fields make up the larger field of new worlds studies, also called planetary studies. The field often interacts with that of biology, particularly when it comes to the study of planets with active biospheres. Every colonial venture makes use of these specialists, and many of them specialise in subfields more closely associated with colonisation. For some, this is a patriotic duty to the state; to others, they are helping people make new lives on the frontier; but for many, the position of colonial advisor is among the highest-paying a biologist or sociologist can get. These experts may have even been the ones to discover the planet they are advising colonists on: every science ship always carries a complement of new worlds experts.

In addition to the settling of new worlds, terraforming is the other major practical subfield involved in planetary studies. This includes both local tactical terraforming (such as removing a mountain or adjusting weather patterns) and planetary scale terraforming (completely changing the planet's environment and climate). One of the most visible examples of this is on the planet of Mars, which was transformed from a barren world incapable of supporting life, to a fully habitable world with a vibrant hydro- and ecosphere.

Statecraft

Statecraft is the study of government and society. Also called social sciences, sociologists study group mechanics and how best to organise societies. They do this through the study of a wide range of fields, such as history, economics, linguistics, psychology, political science, philosophy, and many more. Through the understanding of these fields, sociologists provide reports and advice to governments on how best to implement their agendas, and in some cases, what their agendas should be in the first place.

Social sciences are among the most politicised of all the fields of science. Ideology and belief systems are directly intertwined with the understanding of society, and therefore run right into the social sciences. Governments often ignore the advice of these researchers when their findings are inconvenient, or try to twist their findings into something more suitable for those in charge. Despite this, social sciences have been critical for the expansion of societies from a single planet to empires spanning thousands of light years.

Military Theory

Military theory is the study of conflict, violence, war, and how best to win it. Closely related to the field of statecraft, military studies have been conducted ever since the dawn of civilisations. While physicists can create ever-deadly particle beams and engineers steadily larger vessels of war, the technology is useless without the doctrinal applications of how to use it. Early interstellar warfare was a haphazard affair, with belligerents throwing together what forces and ships they could to try to make their best of it. Modern interstellar warfare, by contrast, is a well-understood affair taught in military academies across the galaxy.

While military doctrines and logistical studies may be the most important aspect of this field, a more overlooked subfield is that of psychological warfare and morale. Although a military may be willing and able to pursue a war, that will be useless if the population behind that military refuses to support a war effort. As such, the importance of propaganda and civilian psychological shaping operations are critical to winning victory on the home front, as well as the front lines.

Archaeostudies

Archaeostudies is the study and practical application of archaeology to modern science and technology. By examining long-extinct species and civilisations, archeo-engineers hope to use insights gleaned to prevent history from repeating. In practice, this often involves examining ancient ruins and their technology, sorting through piles of relics, and figuring out the 'paths not taken' in technological development. Mostly, the practical applications of this result in weapons and defensive technologies. However, the insights into ancient cultures and histories provide important insight into modern events and the ways in which they reflect what has already happened.

Psionics

Perhaps the least well understood field of science, the study of psionics examines the relationship between the sapient mind and the dimension of the Shroud. While the basic theory behind psionics - namely, how collective minds joining in thought can create physical reactions in the world - is understood, the reasoning behind why that is the case continues to elude researchers across the galaxy. Most psionic studies are conducted by the Kingdom of Yondarim and the Rototavuul High Suzerainty, both of which closely guard their research.

Industry

Industrial research is the backbone of all interstellar economies. Mining, metallurgy, robotics, nanotechnology, construction, and cybernetics are all covered by this field. Industrial engineers have created the most visible reminders of society's grasp over nature, creating massive cities and industrial parks across thousands of worlds. At the same time, these engineers work on the micro scale, creating nanoscopic machines and circuitry that runs the machinery of today.

While computer scientists are responsible for creating positronic minds and AI, industrial specialists were the ones that developed both the synthetic bodies to house them and the manufacturing technologies to produce them. The importance of AI and computing in modern society means that industrial engineers and computer scientists often work closely, creating advanced machines and the code that operates them.

Materials

Materials science is the backbone of all other engineering sciences. By studying and understanding existing materials and their properties, materials scientists can develop new materials, which can have immediate practical applications. Ubiquitous materials in modern construction, such as nanocomposites, plasteel, and durasteel are all the result of decades of research conducted by these scientists.

As well as developing new materials, materials scientists also devise new ways to make existing ones. Originally, rare resources such as lythuric gas and yurantic crystals were exclusively found in nature. Over time, scientists developed ways to synthesise these materials artificially, drastically reducing their cost. Additionally, materials scientists often discover methods of improving production, such as the development of holographic casts for metallurgical manufacturing.

Propulsion

Propulsion research is the study of making things move. Everything from light utility vehicles to the largest starships need to have some method of propulsion, and these researchers study better ways to make that happen. Most propulsion researchers work on better starship thrusters, but there continues to be a lively market for atmosphere, nautical, terrestrial, and even subterrestrial engines.

In addition to vehicle engines, weapon propulsion is a major subfield of science. Militaries across the galaxy compete to have faster, longer-ranged, and more accurate weapons, and hire the best scientists to make sure their weapons are the best. In addition to rocket motor technology, some also consider ballistics and mass drivers to fall under this field.

Voidcraft

Another term for spacecraft or starships, voidcraft engineers are responsible for designing new starships and improving existing ones. The voidcraft industry supports all interstellar societies, manufacturing ever larger and more capable ships to travel between the distant worlds of the galaxy. Even the smallest ships have a multitude of requirements: structural integrity fields, artificial gravity, deflector screens, engines, communications systems, life support systems, sensors, and, if necessary, weapons. Voidcraft engineers need to be able to work all of these separate systems into a single cohesive whole.

Although starships are the main focus of voidcraft engineering, spaceborne structures come in a close second. Starbases, outposts, mining platforms, habitats, orbitals, research stations, and every other kind of 'stationary' orbital structure has to be designed to the same rigorous standards as every starship. More recently, advances in other fields of science have led to proposals of structures the scale of which would have been unimaginable merely decades prior. These 'megastructures' may soon redefine the political, military, and economic framework of the galaxy.