Well, regarding the specific details of it, generally speaking, becoming a researcher requires years of academic work, sometimes in conjunction with an internship or an abundance of lab work under a professor. From there, it really depends on the specific type of pokémon researcher you wish to be. For example, Professor Oak is strictly an academic researcher, meaning he’s associated with Celadon University and thus the world of academia, not with the industry. By contrast, my partner and the editor of this blog, Lanette Hamilton, works strictly as an industry researcher, meaning she’s employed by commercial laboratories (the Pokémon Cutting-Edge Technology Research Center and Devon Co., specifically) to come up with new ideas that can be marketed and sold to trainers. I work as a bit of both: my behavior research is done in a more academic realm (through Celadon University, specifically), but my technological research is supported through the PCETRC. (No, there is not an easier acronym … much to our dismay.)
And as one can expect, each of these paths were vastly different, as the specific way academic research works is different compared to working in the industry. Think of it as the difference between becoming a novelist and a journalist. Both are essentially jobs that require many of the same skills and the same academic foundations, but where those paths end are entirely different. As such, whereas journalists tend to have steady work and structure to their daily lives (and thus security to pursue their work), novelists may have the freedom to write what they want, when they wish to write it. In a similar fashion, being an industry researcher means you’re employed by a lab, and thus, you may use your skills on very specific projects. On the other hand, you also get all the funding and equipment you need (generally speaking) to pursue that work. By contrast, academic pokémon researchers have their own personal labs where they may carry out whatever research they wish when they wish to do so; they simply need to report to the university every so often (or, well, teach) in order to maintain their sources of funding.
Then, of course, it depends on the specific field you wish to research. Pokémon researchers who focus on pokémon medicine may find themselves doing quite a bit of lab work. Those who focus on paleontology or ethology, meanwhile, may find themselves doing quite a bit of supervised fieldwork.
At its root, though, the path to becoming a pokémon researcher starts with self-reflection and finding the right mentor. Once you’ve decided that you wish to become a researcher, pay attention to what about pokémon catches your interest the most. Follow your heart, not your skills. I know that seems a bit unusual considering the fact that pokémon research requires more intellect than any other pokémon-centered field, but a good researcher is nothing without passion.
Also, forge a relationship with your professors, especially those who specialize in the fields you wish to pursue. Find a mentor and let them help you decide what path to take. (Never be afraid to ask for guidance! A good mentor will be eager to help you on your path.)
Most importantly, be prepared to work hard. Every step of the way, especially if you work in academia, you will always be asked to show your work, as it were. In the world of academia, if you don’t have tenure (as Professor Oak has with Celadon University), it may be tricky to secure funding and equipment for your work. Industry researchers, meanwhile, are required to provide results according to a schedule. Either way, it’s not easy to be a researcher, but of course, if it was easy, it wouldn’t nearly be fun, would it?
The Pokédex According to Bill 