Agricultural Scientist

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The rapid evolution of technology in agriculture is driving positive change and continued sustainability in our food systems. It is exciting and rewarding to play a small role in producing food while protecting the planet.

Cheyne Ogilvie, Director, Agriculture Innovation & Stewardship with Fertilizer Canada
Agricultural Scientist

In A Nutshell

I support agronomists and farmers in optimizing crop production and minimizing environmental impact.

I evaluate emerging technologies and present findings to agronomists and farmers to support continued adoption of sustainable farming practices.

I connect the dots between sustainable on-farm practices with the food that we eat with field-to-fork initiatives.

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Potential Salary Range

$55,000 - 150,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta AB
Alberta
British Columbia BC
British Columbia
Manitoba MB
Manitoba
New Brunswick NB
New Brunswick
Newfoundland & Labrador NL
Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia NS
Nova Scotia
Ontario ON
Ontario
Prince Edward Island PEI
Prince Edward Island
Quebec QC
Quebec
Saskwatchewan SK
Saskwatchewan

My job takes me to lots of different places. Some days I'm in the lab or office, looking at data on a computer. Other days, I'm out in the field, helping with hands-on research. No two days are the same. It’s always interesting and exciting!

Workplace

Indoor / Outdoor

Job Requirements & Duties

  • Conduct experiments on crops and soil
  • Plan out research projects and present the results to the agricultural community
  • Oversee a team of certified crop advisors and agronomists who support farmers in their cropping decisions
  • Partner with other industry organizations to provide sustainable solutions to farmers
  • Read through already existing research to help guide experiments and plans
  • Promote industry efforts and advocate for science-based decision-making in Canadian agriculture

Education & Training

  • A university degree in agricultural science is required. A postgraduate or master's degree may help prepare potential employees for a research-based career.  
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Job Outlook

    As the need to feed a growing population continues, agricultural research will remain necessary, and the outlook for prospective employees in this field is good.

Related School Subjects

Science
69 Math
English Language Arts
Career Education

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Research Data Laboratory Science

Important Skills

Research icon

Research

I study food trends, consumer preferences, and industry research to help develop products that people will enjoy and trust.

Computer & Technological icon

Computer & Technological

Modern research depends heavily on computer technology, from the equipment used in experiments to the software used for data analysis.

Analytical Thinking

Research is all about collecting data and using critical thinking to analyze numbers and figure out meaningful patterns.

Written Communications

Another necessary part of the job is writing scientific reports on my research. Sharing information and results is important, so it helps to enjoy written communication.

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Independent Work
Opportunity to Travel
Making a Difference in the World
Pays Well
Problem Solving