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Researcher Career
May 2, 2026 at 08:15 PM
Initial article for the Researcher Career added in v0.8.0 (April 29, 2026)
The Researcher Career is one of six new active careers introduced in the v0.8.0 update on April 29, 2026. Researchers work on formulas and experiments at a dedicated workplace, with daily tasks that mix study time, lab work, and reporting. Successful experiments unlock progression while failed runs slow promotion. The career is available in Dowon and Bliss Bay.
Like the other new v0.8.0 careers, the Researcher position uses an interview-then-impress acceptance flow rather than instant hiring. The Zoi must apply, schedule an interview, and persuade the interviewer before they can begin work.
Open the Smartphone (P key) and navigate to the Career app.
Filter by Dowon or Bliss Bay listings.
Select Researcher and tap Apply.
Choose an interview slot.
Show up at the workplace at the scheduled time.
Impress the interviewer through dialogue and skill checks.
Once accepted, the first shift is added to the Zoi's daily schedule.
The interview difficulty scales with the Zoi's relevant skills. Building Critical Thinking and Programming before applying improves outcomes.
Detail | Value |
|---|---|
Type | Active (player accompanies the Zoi to the workplace) |
Acceptance Flow | Interview-then-impress (v0.8.0 standard) |
Cities | Dowon, Bliss Bay |
Workplace | Research lab lot in each supported city |
Pay Distribution | Daily salary, distributed at the end of each shift |
Eligible Life Stages | Young Adult, Adult, Middle-Aged |
Schedule Stacking | Can stack with school and a business (separate categories) as long as schedules do not overlap. Priority order: school, career, business. |
Researchers split their shift between formula work and supporting tasks. Tasks involve using lab equipment, drafting notes, and reporting findings. Some experimental runs succeed and earn promotion progress; others fail and produce no progress, similar to how the Critical Thinking Skill already gates outcomes for non-career study activities.
Set up an experiment at a lab bench.
Run the formula process, monitoring progress and adjusting parameters.
Record findings using a dedicated terminal.
Read research material between active runs to fill the off-task gauge.
Submit a daily report at the workplace terminal.
Faster, higher-skill Zois finish primary tasks before the shift ends and can spend the remaining time on bonus tasks for extra promotion progress.
Skill | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
Improves the success rate of experiments and accelerates the formula completion bar. | |
Speeds up data-processing tasks at the terminal. | |
Improves the quality of submitted reports during performance evaluations. | |
Reading research books outside of work raises Critical Thinking faster, indirectly speeding promotion. |
Promotion progress is tracked daily using the v0.8.0 evaluation system. Successful experiments, on-time attendance, and submitted reports raise the gauge. Tardiness and absences lower it. As with every v0.8.0 career, repeated underperformance can lead to termination.
Long-tenure researchers eventually qualify for retirement, which triggers a retirement party social event and a severance payout per the v0.8.0 retirement system.
As an active career, the Researcher role supports the v0.8.0 leave management options:
Paid leave: register through the home computer or workplace terminal.
Sick leave: required when the Zoi's needs drop too low to attend.
Remote work: limited to certain task types (data processing, report writing); experiments still require workplace attendance.
Researchers participate in v0.8.0 team projects. A team project runs from day 1 to day 4 of a project cycle, and contribution is graded individually. Working hard on collaborative tasks improves the Zoi's evaluation, even when shift tasks are otherwise routine.
Build Critical Thinking before applying. The interview and the formula success rate both lean on this skill.
Stagger experiment timers across the morning and afternoon blocks so progress continues during long observation windows.
Use remote-work days to clear report and data-processing backlog while saving in-person days for experiments.
If the promotion gauge is full but no rank-up arrives, wait for a senior position to open.
Jobs and Careers: full career listing.
April 2026 Update: v0.8.0 patch context including the new career rollout.
Multi-Job System: schedule decoupling rules that govern how Researcher stacks with school and business.
Career Advancement Guide: general promotion mechanics.
Active vs Rabbit Hole Careers: explanation of the two career types.
