What does a research environmental scientist do?
Research environmental scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research environmental scientist resumes:
- Work with the EHS team and are involved in hazardous waste management and over seeing the waste water treatment facility.
- Interpret extraction, analysis, and confirmations of active constituents from natural sources by employing several techniques target to the data.
- Automate a payroll edit reject operation.
- Demonstrate the significance of regulations implement by EPA through creation of presentations and informational booklets to be distribute at regional meetings.
- Analyze PCBs and PAHs in water/atmospheric/sediment samples with GC/MS.
- Experience in groundwater sampling and monitoring at various recovery sites and install water level transducers.
Research environmental scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Research Environmental Scientists are proficient in Data Collection, Data Analysis, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Environmental Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Collection, 20%
Conducted data collection, analysis and interpretation- recorded, calculated and presented data to supervisor and program teams.
- Data Analysis, 15%
Prepared field reports and data analysis for remedial construction projects.
- GIS, 14%
Utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to develop interpretive maps and analyze data.
- Statistical Analysis, 11%
Performed statistical analysis, reported findings to investigators, and oral presentation of results.
- Technical Reports, 11%
Developed research plans and peer-reviewed several EPA documents, extramural technical reports and acted as a peer-reviewer for reputed scientific journals.
- Extraction, 6%
Supervised the extraction and preparation of primary raw material components.
Most research environmental scientists use their skills in "data collection," "data analysis," and "gis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research environmental scientist responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a research environmental scientist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "environmental scientists and specialists base their conclusions on careful analysis of scientific data." Additionally, a research environmental scientist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "organized and analyzed water quality data. "
Interpersonal skills. Many research environmental scientist duties rely on interpersonal skills. "environmental scientists and specialists typically work on teams along with scientists, engineers, and technicians," so a research environmental scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research environmental scientist responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "cited for excellence in interpersonal communications, teamwork, flexibility and reliability. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of research environmental scientists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday research environmental scientist duties, as "environmental scientists and specialists try to find the best possible solution to problems that affect the environment and people’s health." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "interfaced with state of michigan on the remediation projects for resolution of identified issues. "
Communication skills. For certain research environmental scientist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a research environmental scientist rely on this skill, as "environmental scientists and specialists may need to present and explain their findings to audiences of varying backgrounds and write technical reports." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what research environmental scientists do: "cited for excellence in interpersonal communications, teamwork, flexibility and reliability. "
See the full list of research environmental scientist skills
The three companies that hire the most research environmental scientists are:
- University of Washington2 research environmental scientists jobs
- Driscoll's1 research environmental scientists jobs
Compare different research environmental scientists
Research environmental scientist vs. Water quality analyst
Natural Resource Specialists are usually employed in a university, conservation center, or research center. As their title suggests, they are in charge of initiatives related to natural resources. They may lead to research projects, fieldwork activities, or conferences related to natural resources' general topic or specialization. Natural resource specialists may specialize in wildlife, forestry, land management, marine life, and the environment. A lot of their tasks are dependent on their specialization. They may be assigned to manage paperwork related to permits and other important documents. They may also be assigned to monitor a specific sector in their specialization. They may also be assigned to work on conservation programs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a research environmental scientist are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "gis," "public health," and "extraction." On the other hand, a job as a water quality analyst requires skills like "laboratory equipment," "laboratory procedures," "water quality samples," and "water quality analysis." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Water quality analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than research environmental scientists. In fact, water quality analysts are 4.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Research environmental scientist vs. Technical fellow
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research environmental scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "data analysis," "gis," and "public health." Meanwhile, a technical fellow has duties that require skills in areas such as "sql," "intellectual property," "photoshop," and "r." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, technical fellows achieve higher levels of education than research environmental scientists. They're 7.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research environmental scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Nels Hansen Ph.D.
Department Chair, Brigham Young University – Idaho
Research environmental scientist vs. Emission specialist
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research environmental scientists are more likely to have skills like "data collection," "data analysis," "gis," and "public health." But a emission specialist is more likely to have skills like "epa," "engine systems," "vehicle maintenance," and "regulatory agencies."
Most emission specialists achieve a higher degree level compared to research environmental scientists. For example, they're 12.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research environmental scientist vs. Natural resource specialist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between research environmental scientists and natural resource specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a research environmental scientist might have more use for skills like "data analysis," "public health," "statistical analysis," and "extraction." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of natural resource specialists require skills like "management plans," "usda," "gs," and "natural resource management. "
Natural resource specialists reach similar levels of education compared to research environmental scientists, in general. The difference is that they're 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of research environmental scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
