Traits: Genius & Bookworm
Aspirations: Two choices Nerd Brain is good but The Curator is equally good since you have to collect ingredients for inventions and serums. Minus frogs which are always fun to collect anyways.
Rewards: Speedy Reader, You can get Breakthroughs from reading books, this increases the speed at which you read them!
Plants: There are clay pots with plants on the lot, you should tend to these once in a while if your going to use them or risk them dying.
Also nothing was mentioned about Collection days.
I disagree on some of the list here and I will list my counter opinion.
Traits :
#Genius is fitting for a scientist no doubt but is not really that necessary since my testing has proven that moods while working actively didn't matter on the jobs. If you really so inclined to be focused on the job, making several focused painting / create image from plant sample is enough.
#Bookworm is helpful if you only want to discover something via books. The benefits is clear that you could have fun while doing it while non bookworm didn't get extra fun. However after tinker traits is unlocked, it is better to use it on any electronics since at least you only need 2 full queues at max to discover the two inventions necessary for promotion.
Reward:
#Speed reader. See my points at bookworm trait, also I am still unsure if speed reader do increase the speed of the bulbs to make new discoveries.
Aspirations:
No comment on this one, but yes it is helpful to get The Curator since at the jobs you can spam request for crystal and metal for all your coworkers minus receptionist.
Plants:
Agreed. On lower level, make sure to water it if you have spare time. At higher level just make your co workers to do it for you
Collection day:
The easiest to accomplish this is to collect one plants that almost always yield 10 crops. If you desperately need metals / crystal your coworkers could provide it to you.