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Soil & Plant Scientists

Also called: Soil Scientist, Agronomy Research Manager, Crop Nutrition Scientist, Microbiology Soil Scientist

What they do:
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
On the job, you would:
  • Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
  • Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
  • Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.

Knowledge

Math and Science
  • biology
  • chemistry
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • reading work related information
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
  • group things in different ways
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Math
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Attention to Detail
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Initiative
  • Dependability

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software
  • European Soil Erosion Model EUROSEM
  • PC-Progress HYDRUS
Data base user interface and query software
  • National Resources Conservation Service NRCS PEDON Description Program PDP
  • National Soil Information System NASIS
Map creation software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • GIS software

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
doctoral/professional degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$58,940
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about soil and plant scientists.