Profession soil scientist

Soil scientists research and study the scientific discipline concerning soil. They advise on how to improve soil quality to support nature, food production or human infrastructure using surveying techniques, irrigation techniques and erosion reduction measures. They make sure to conserve and restore land suffering from intense farming or human interaction.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

  • Investigative / Realistic

Knowledge

  • Soil science

    The field of science that studies soil as a natural resource, its characteristics, formation, and classification. It also examines the physical, biological, and chemical potential of soil.

  • Soil structure

    Diversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.

  • Ecology

    The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

  • Crop production principles

    Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds, plants and crop.

  • Soil mechanics

    Thoroughly understand the characteristics of soil in relation to analysing the deformations of fluids within soil that supports man-made structures.

  • Geology

    Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

  • European pesticide legislation

    The EU framework for community action which promotes the sustainable use of pesticides.

Skills

  • Gather experimental data

    Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.

  • Perform laboratory tests

    Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

  • Write work-related reports

    Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

  • Apply safety procedures in laboratory

    Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

  • Conduct soil sample tests

    Analyse and test soil samples; determine gas chromatography and gather relevant isotope and carbon information; determine viscosity.

  • Advise on nature conservation

    Provide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.

Optional knowledge and skills

agronomy pollution prevention implement biodiversity action plans plant harvest methods collect samples for analysis environmental legislation develop scientific research protocols develop irrigation strategies advise on soil and water protection advise on pollution prevention ensure soil fertility irrigation systems inspect agricultural fields surveying methods perform scientific research government policy conduct field work liaise with crop growers environmental engineering conduct land surveys biology agricultural equipment laboratory techniques surveying operate surveying instruments adjust surveying equipment climate change impact agricultural production principles agronomical production principles advise on fertiliser and herbicide plant propagation record survey measurements prepare surveying report fertilisation principles

Common job titles

  • Assistant professor/associate & extension specialist
  • Soil scientist/natural resource management conservation technicians
  • Environmental scientist/geologist
  • Post-doc and research scientist positions in hydrology and meteorology
  • Entry level environmental scientist
  • Environmental scientist
  • Entry level environmental engineer
  • Staff environmental engineer/scientist
  • Hydrologic technician iii
  • Agcenter assistant/associate/professor (soil fertility/agronomy)