Soil Scientist

Soil is a complex composite of minerals and organic matter that forms over the surface of the land, and soil science involves the tudy of the physical characteristics, chemical makeup and biological properties of soil to improve its conditions and productive usage for agricultural purposes as well as conservation of soil as a natural resource. It examines the formation, distribution, function and management of soils to understand, sustain, and improve the environment

A soil scientist uses their findings to help solve a range of soil management issues such as which crops to grow in which type of soil as well as restoring endangered ecosystems by finding ways to increase soil fertility.

As a soil scientist, you will be collecting soil samples and recording your observations. Your observations will also deal with soil-related issues such as climate change, agricultural production, human health and biodiversity. You will also be providing expert advice to professionals in other fields such as archaeologists, construction engineers and environmental conservationists.

Key roles and responsibilities

As a soil scientist, here are some of your key roles and responsibilities:

• Collecting, analysing and interpreting data from the soil samples that are collected.  Research work can be done on the field as well as laboratories by using tools such as geospatial analysis, molecular biology and spectroscopy for soil investigation.
• Producing maps of different types of soils and their distribution.
• Conduct laboratory analysis of soil samples and research experiments and advising professionals in related fields such as farmers, geologists and archaeologists.
• Write research reports and make presentations on finding. This can be done for various purposes, some of them being increasing sustainable food production or gauging drainage and irrigation requirements.
• Writing proposals and make bids for new research projects and funding, make presentations, give seminars, teach and advise students
• Attend conferences to keep abreast of the latest developments and to network with people in the profession and related industries.

Investigative: You should have interests for Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem-solving.

Realistic: You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment. 

Abilities

Abstract Reasoning: The ability to understand ideas which are not expressed in words or numbers; the ability to understand concepts which are not clearly expressed verbally or otherwise.

Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.

Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analysing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.

Naturalistic Intelligence: The ability to recognise different flora and fauna of the world; sensitivity towards nature and natural surrounding; sensitivity towards the needs of different flora and fauna.

Verbal Reasoning: The ability to think and reason with words; the ability to reason out ideas expressed in words.

Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

Biological Sciences: Knowledge of plants and animals, their anatomical structure, cell structure, tissues, physiological functions, evolution, and all other related aspects.

Skills

Active Learning: Focused and continuous learning from various sources of information, observation and otherwise for application in getting work done.

Communication in English: Skills in communicating effectively in writing as well as verbally with others in English language.

Coordination: Skills in working together with other people to get things done.

Critical Thinking: Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using of logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

Judgment and Decision Making: Skills in considering pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; taking appropriate and suitable decisions.

Problem Solving: Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.

Reading Comprehension: Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Scientific: Skills in using various scientific rules and methods to get things done or solve problems.

Personality

You are somewhat organised in your day-to-day life and activities.

You are somewhat careful about your actions and behaviour.

You are imaginative sometimes.

You prefer to experience new things and have new experiences sometimes.

You act independently sometimes but do not do so in some other times.

You are always practical or in most situations.