Fancy a scientific career where you can get your hands dirty? Well then, you’ll definitely ‘dig’ this profession (sincere apologies for those two awful puns!).

Essentially, soil scientists examine different soils from a diverse range of terrains and geographical locations in order to study their physical composition and chemical properties. This scientific work isn’t simply carried out because these people love messing around with mud – this area of science actually has many practical applications.  

Indeed, soil scientists assess and evaluate the impact of certain soils on agricultural enterprises. Furthermore, their research findings are vital for investigating the feasibility of construction, landscaping, conservation, and archaeological projects.

Soil scientists are employed by private and public sector organisations, such as research and development facilities, land use and construction companies, environmental consultancies, academic institutions that are planning archaeological projects, conservation charities, and landscape design enterprises.

If you enter this profession, your work will involve a mixture of laboratory work and field investigations. You’ll be collecting soil samples, analysing them, and recording your observations. Off the back of your research findings, you’ll be writing reports, giving presentations, and attending conferences to share your conclusions with the scientific community.

Career Roles & Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of soil science, including the fundamentals of the subject, such as the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soils, and their spatial and temporal variability across the landscape
• Carry out field work, including the collection of soil samples from a range of environments
• Produce maps of soil types and their distribution
• Monitor or supervise laboratory research
• Conduct laboratory analysis of soil samples and research experiments
• Complete paperwork and catalog findings
• Write research reports and make presentations on findings, including scientific research papers and non-scientific client reports
• Interpret science to inform policy
• Integrate soil science knowledge into aspects of land management and ecosystems
• Keep up to date with developments in soil science and related areas, as well as environmental issues and legislation changes that may affect your work
• Attend conferences to keep abreast of the latest developments and to network with people in the profession and in related industries
• Travel to sites within and outside the UK
• In education posts, you'll need to write proposals and make bids for new research projects and funding, make presentations, give seminars, teach and advise students
• In consultancy roles, you'll tender for work, report to and advise clients, and liaise with members of related professions, such as ecologists, environmental scientists, engineers, geologists and hydrologists.

Career Education Path Summary

Soil Science Career Path