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Animal Scientists

In the Animal Scientists occupation, workers conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals. O*NET rates it as extensive preparation, which usually means graduate school and often five years or more of related experience. It leans on reading comprehension, writing, and science. The job can ask you to study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials. Its interest code is IRC. Investigative leads at 6.9 out of 7, so expect research, analysis and working through hard problems, with Realistic next at 5.2. If you want research, analysis and working through hard problems, keep it on your list. If you need creative work with room for original expression, it may feel thin.

What they do

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

Main tasks

  • Study nutritional requirements of animals and nutritive values of animal feed materials.
  • Write up or orally communicate research findings to the scientific community, producers, and the public.
  • Develop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of animals.
  • Advise producers about improved products and techniques that could enhance their animal production efforts.
  • Conduct research concerning animal nutrition, breeding, or management to improve products or processes.
  • Study effects of management practices, processing methods, feed, or environmental conditions on quality and quantity of animal products, such as eggs and milk.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Science
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and writing.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 2.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code IRC takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Doctoral Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Animal Nutrition Consultant
  • Animal Nutritionist
  • Animal Scientist
  • Beef Cattle Nutritionist
  • Beef Cattle Specialist

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.