What skills does a soil scientist need?

A soil scientist needs 14 essential skills including crop production principles, soil mechanics, European pesticide legislation, soil structure, scientific literature. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace soil scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for soil scientist is 19/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2133

soil scientist

Soil scientists research and study scientific disciplines 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.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (14)

crop production principlescrop production principlesPrinciples 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 mechanicssoil mechanicsThoroughly understand the characteristics of soil in relation to analysing the deformations of fluids within soil that supports man-made structures.European pesticide legislationEuropean pesticide legislationThe EU framework for community action which promotes the sustainable use of pesticides.soil structuresoil structureDiversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.scientific literaturescientific literatureThe medium of informing the scientific community, including academic researchers, about the results of scientific research. It constitutes a permanent and cumulative collection of all the findings of ...geologygeologySolid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.soil sciencesoil scienceThe 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.ecologyecologyThe study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake 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.gather experimental datagather experimental dataCollect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose 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 intelligib...conduct soil sample testsconduct soil sample testsAnalyse and test soil samples; determine gas chromatography and gather relevant isotope and carbon information; determine viscosity.advise on nature conservationadvise on nature conservationProvide information and suggested actions relating to the conservation of nature.

Optional (39)

climate change impactclimate change impactThe impact of climate change on biodiversity and life conditions for plants and animals.surveyingsurveyingThe technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.habitat restorationhabitat restorationThe process of repairing and rehabilitating areas that suffered habitat destruction, alteration of seafloor or the threat of extinction of some animal and plant species. Habitat restoration also invol...government policygovernment policyThe political activities, plans, and intentions of a government for a legislative session for concrete causes.agronomical production principlesagronomical production principlesThe techniques, methods and principles of conventional agronomical production.agricultural equipmentagricultural equipmentThe offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.surveying methodssurveying methodsThe fundamental principles and procedures of surveying applied to civil engineering, including remote sensing methods, and related equipment.hydrologyhydrologyThe study of the water concerning the availability and movement of water as well as the impact of human activities on the water cycle.sustainable agricultural production principlessustainable agricultural production principlesPrinciples and conditions of organic and sustainable agricultural production.environmental legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.irrigation systemsirrigation systemsThe methods and systems management in irrigation.pollution preventionpollution preventionThe processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.agroforestryagroforestryThe application of land management systems and technologies that integrate trees and other woody perennials with traditional cropland farming in order to sustain agricultural production while ensuring...laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.agronomyagronomyThe study of combining agriculture production and protection and regeneration of natural environment. It includes the principles and methods of critical selection and adequate application methods for ...environmental engineeringenvironmental engineeringThe application of scientific and engineering theories and principles aimed at improving the environment and sustainability, such as the provision of clean habitation necessities (such as air, water, ...fertilisation principlesfertilisation principlesThe study of plant, soil structure, climatic and environmental issues in agronomical production.plant harvest methodsplant harvest methodsThe various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.conservation agricultureconservation agricultureThe techniques, methods and principles that promote a sustainable use of land and soil in crop production. It is based on the three principles of permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, and di...plant propagationplant propagationTypes of different propagation methods, materials and seeds and their criteria for health and quality.apply sustainable tillage techniquesapply sustainable tillage techniquesApply sustainable tillage techniques such as conservation tillage or no till farming in order to minimise the impact on soil.collect samplescollect samplesSet up and operate equipment to collect water, gas, oil or soil samples for testing.develop irrigation strategiesdevelop irrigation strategiesPlan the deployment of methods and procedures for watering the land by artificial means, taking into account strategies for water use sustainability. Put in place measures for safe re-use of water, im...prepare surveying reportprepare surveying reportWrite a survey report containing information on property boundaries, the height and depth of the terrain, etc.advise on fertiliser and herbicideadvise on fertiliser and herbicideProvide advice on types of fertilisers and herbicides, their usage and best time to apply them.conduct land surveysconduct land surveysConduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and d...advise on soil and water protectionadvise on soil and water protectionAdvise on methods to protect soil and water sources against pollution such as nitrate leaching which is responsible for soil erosion.liaise with crop growersliaise with crop growersGive advice to agronomical and horticultural crop growers regarding aspects such as the maintenance of crops and more technical information concerning business and product development issues.collect samples for analysiscollect samples for analysisCollect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.advise on pollution preventionadvise on pollution preventionAdvise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.develop scientific research protocolsdevelop scientific research protocolsDevelop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.inspect agricultural fieldsinspect agricultural fieldsInspect crops, fields, and plant stock to determine the need and timing for sowing, spraying, weeding, and harvesting.operate surveying instrumentsoperate surveying instrumentsOperate and adjust measuring instruments such as theodolites and prisms, and other electronic distance-measuring tools.adjust surveying equipmentadjust surveying equipmentEnsure accuracy of measurement by adjusting surveying equipment.conduct field workconduct field workConducts field work or research which is the collection of information outside of a laboratory or workplace setting. Visit places in order to collect specific information about the field.implement biodiversity action plansimplement biodiversity action plansPromoting and implementing local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local/national statutory and voluntary organisations.ensure soil fertilityensure soil fertilityAnalyse soil to determine type and quantity of fertiliser required for maximum production.