The Sims 4 Scientist Career Guide

Scientist Career Levels

As is the case for most careers in The Sims 4, you’ll earn a bonus every time you are promoted as a scientist. Each level requires two breakthroughs to earn a promotion, with specific breakthroughs at each level. One nice thing about this career is the regular schedule! Your sim will always work Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, regardless of their career level.

Traits and Aspirations for Scientists

There are a few traits and aspirations that have good synergy with the scientist career.

Sims with the Geek trait love finding collectibles and have a better chance of finding rare ones, which works great with the scientist career since you’ll be doing a lot of collecting. The trait also offers an easy way to get into the Focused mood by playing video games. The Genius trait is even better for getting Focused since your sim can randomly be put in that mood. The Bookworm trait can help you read faster and get to Breakthroughs more quickly.

The Curator aspiration likewise makes sense for a scientist due to all of the collectibles you’ll be acquiring, while the Nerd Brain aspiration is fitting since you’ll be engaging in so many Logic-based activities at work.

How to Join the Scientist Career

Any career in The Sims 4 can be joined by using the phone, computer, or career panel (hotkey J) and selecting “Find a Job.”

Your sim will start their scientist career at a much higher level if they have a university degree in Physics: level 6 for a regular degree, level 7 for a distinguished degree or a degree with honors, or level 8 with a distinguished degree with honors. Otherwise you’ll start at level 1.

How to Get in the Focused Mood

Most sims will benefit from being in the Focused mood while at work, and the scientist is no exception. In order for your sim to get in this mood, they’ll first need to deal with negative moods that might override it, such as Sad.

There are many activities that can help you get Focused, but here are a couple that are quick and easy for getting your sim into the right mental state for work:

• Click on a computer and select Browse Simpedia.
• Click on a chess table and select Ponder Moves or Play Chess.
• If your sim has the Geek trait, play some video games!

There are computers at the lab, so you’ll be able to gain focus while you’re on the job as well. You’ll also be able to use the Momentum Conserver after you invent it at level 1. Just turn it on and view it for a chance to become Focused.

Breakthroughs

To progress your career as a scientist, you’ll need to make two Breakthroughs to earn each promotion. Breakthroughs can happen while performing many tasks at the lab. You’ll see a lightbulb icon next to actions that have a chance to give you a Breakthrough.

When you get a Breakthrough, a lightbulb will appear above your sim’s head, and they’ll receive a “Eureka!” moodlet.

Serums & Inventions

Once you’ve had a Breakthrough, you’ll be able to fabricate your new idea using the equipment in the lab. You can see all of your sim’s available discoveries by clicking on their Notebook (the icon next to the Phone in the lower left corner).

If your sim has discovered an invention, it can be created using the Invention Constructor. If they have discovered a serum, you’ll be able to mix it at a Chemistry Lab.

With the exception of your first invention, the Momentum Conserver, any invention or serum will require you to collect specific ingredients before you can make it. These ingredients generally consist of plants and other collectibles that you can find around the lab. You also have an option to ask your co-workers for collectibles when interacting with them.

Once you’ve created a new invention or serum, you’ll usually be tasked with testing it. For serums, you have the option to test it on other sims – which can be beneficial since you will avoid having to deal with any nasty side effects yourself! The Test Serum option can be found under Friendly actions when you click on another sim.

Collecting and Other Tasks

The science lab lot is a great place to collect all sorts of metals, crystals, and plants for use in your inventions and serums or even for your own personal collection. You’ll find a number of potted plants in the building as well as many rocks that can be dug up. Your co-workers can also be asked to contribute these items to your cause.

While working as a scientist, you’ll be tasked with interacting with the variety of research machines in the lab, including the Chemistry Lab, Chemical Analyzer, Microscope, and Invention Constructor. If you need to analyze a plant sample, note that you will first need to interact with one of the lab plants to collect a sample from it.

Once you have reached a certain level in the career, you can also ask your co-workers to perform various tasks on your behalf, and you will collect whatever they come up with in your own inventory.