Agricultural or Horticultural Scientist

Agricultural or horticultural scientists research and develop new methods of raising animals and growing crops, and try them out on experimental farms and nurseries. They usually specialize in one area such as soil, crops, animals or farm produce.

The Work

You could be:

• carrying out tests, collecting information, analysing results and writing reports


• doing research into animal and plant diseases, pest control, or the use of chemicals in farming


• working out better ways of breeding and keeping livestock


• researching better methods of growing crops


• developing new crops


• assessing and improving the ways in which farm produce is handled and preserved


• visiting farmers to give advice on improving their farms


• meeting companies which produce seeds or chemicals for farming, to talk about their products


• teaching in a college or university.

Conditions

• You would work in an office or laboratory.


• You would also travel to visit farms and businesses.


• In most cases, you would work normal office hours, but in some cases you may have to work shifts or weekends.


• On farms you must sometimes wear protective clothes.

Getting In

• You would normally need a good Honours degree in agriculture or horticulture or in another relevant science subject such as plant science, soil science or animal science. Other relevant degrees include biochemistry, biological sciences, biotechnology, ecology and chemistry.


• Entry requirements for a degree are 3-5 Highers. Passes in at least 1 or 2 maths/science subjects are normally required.


• For some jobs you need a postgraduate qualification.


• Postgraduate courses are available in Soil Science (Aberdeen University), Organic Farming (the Scottish Agricultural College), Plant Science (Glasgow University) and Crops for the Future (Dundee University).


• You usually need a driving licence.


• You must not be allergic to animals or suffer from hay fever.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• methodical


• accurate, and able to pay close attention to detail


• patient, when carrying out experiments


• a good organiser, to carry out and supervise research.

• a keen interest in agriculture and the science and technology which supports it


• a desire to improve farming methods


• good IT skills


• excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.

Training

• You would train and gain experience on-the-job with an employer.


• You would attend a range of short courses and other training sessions relevant to the work you are doing.


• If you do not already hold a postgraduate qualification, you could study for one part-time while you are working, for example, at a research institute.

Getting On

• With experience you may move up to a senior scientific job or to a senior teaching job in college or university.


• In some cases in order to gain promotion, you may have to move to different parts of the country.
  
• There are opportunities to work abroad.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.