Science officer

A science officer is a classification of individual who is a specialist in a particular field of science and holds a position as an officer within the management or command structure of an organization that conducts scientific research. The title may also be referred to as Chief Science Officer (CSO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

The term science officer is most often used in the Star Trek family of television titles and is best represented by the character of Mister Spock, who held the position of science officer aboard the starship USS Enterprise during it's infamous five-year mission. A science officer does not necessarily hold a command rank, but in the case of Spock, he also served as the second-in-command on the ship, holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander (though he was seldom referred to by this rank).