Occupation · SOC 19-1011
Animal Scientists
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
210 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingWritingScienceActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
BiologyMathematicsEnglish LanguageChemistryFood Production
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information system
Representative 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 pubDevelop improved practices in feeding, housing, sanitation, or parasite and disease control of anima
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Nutritional requirements of common livestock species — identify and summarize under faculty or senior scientist supervision in a university or research laboratory setting.Peer-reviewed literature on animal nutrition and breeding — read, comprehend, and extract key findings to support ongoing research projects.Animal feed composition data — compile and organize using spreadsheet software under direction in an agricultural research facility.Basic animal management practices related to feeding, housing, and sanitation — describe and apply following established laboratory or farm protocols.Research findings from supervised experiments — draft written summaries using word processing software for internal review by principal investigators.Analytical or scientific software — operate under guidance to perform routine data entry and preliminary statistical analysis of animal production datasets.Effects of standard feed rations on animal performance metrics — observe, record, and report findings within a structured trial protocol.Research methods relevant to animal science — recognize and apply foundational scientific principles when assisting with controlled experiments on small animal populations.Scientific presentations — prepare introductory slides using presentation software under mentorship for internal lab meetings or departmental seminars.Animal selection criteria and basic pedigree information — locate and retrieve from database interfaces to assist senior scientists with breeding record reviews.
developing
Nutritive values of animal feed materials — evaluate and compare using established assay protocols and analytical software in a commercial or academic research environment.Research data on animal nutrition, breeding, or management — analyze and interpret with reduced oversight, identifying trends relevant to production efficiency improvements.Improved feeding and housing practices — develop and pilot-test within defined project scopes on production farms or research station facilities.Animal producers — advise on updated feeding regimens and husbandry techniques by synthesizing current research findings and translating them into practical recommendations.Written research reports and manuscripts — draft and revise independently for submission to peer-reviewed journals or agency stakeholders.Statistical models and scientific software — apply routinely to assess effects of management practices or environmental conditions on egg, milk, or meat quality.Parasite and disease control protocols — refine and recommend based on systematic review of trial outcomes at the herd or flock level.Research findings — communicate orally to producer groups and extension audiences, adapting technical content to non-specialist contexts.Animal breeding records — query and maintain in relational database systems, ensuring data integrity across multi-season production trials.Geographic information system tools — use to map regional distribution of animal production variables and support site-specific management studies.
proficient
Complex animal nutrition research programs — design and execute autonomously, integrating chemistry and biology knowledge to evaluate feed ingredient bioavailability across multiple species.Non-routine challenges in animal breeding and selection — diagnose and resolve using advanced inductive and deductive reasoning applied to multi-generational performance datasets.Comprehensive management practice improvements — develop and validate across feeding, housing, sanitation, and disease control dimensions on commercial-scale production operations.Quantitative and qualitative production data — synthesize through systems analysis to assess and optimize quality and quantity of animal products such as milk and eggs.Full research lifecycle — lead independently from hypothesis formulation through experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, and peer-reviewed publication.Producer advisory engagements — conduct autonomously, delivering evidence-based guidance on emerging technologies and techniques to improve profitability and animal welfare.Animal selection and controlled breeding programs — research, design, and implement to increase genetic gain and production efficiency at the enterprise level.Research findings — present with clarity and authority to diverse audiences including scientific conferences, regulatory bodies, and agricultural industry stakeholders.Multi-variable datasets from production trials — model using advanced analytical software, identifying interaction effects between environment, genetics, and management practices.Learning strategies — apply to rapidly assimilate evolving knowledge in genomics, precision livestock farming, and feed technology for integration into ongoing research agendas.
advanced
Institutional animal science research agenda — set strategic direction for, aligning multi-year funding priorities with national food production and sustainability goals.Cross-disciplinary research teams — lead and mentor, building competency in animal nutrition, genetics, and management across graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior scientists.Novel animal management systems — conceptualize and champion at the organizational scale, translating breakthrough research into industry-wide practice changes affecting producers nationally or globally.Scientific knowledge transfer — architect systems for disseminating research outcomes to producers, policymakers, and the public through publications, extension platforms, and media.Animal breeding and selection policy — influence through expert testimony, advisory committee participation, and authorship of authoritative guidelines adopted by industry or government bodies.Large-scale research collaborations — negotiate and administer across universities, government agencies, and private sector partners, managing budgets, timelines, and intellectual property.Organizational research capability — evaluate systematically using systems evaluation principles, identifying gaps in technology, personnel, or infrastructure and driving corrective investment.Emerging risks in animal disease, nutrition, or environmental sustainability — anticipate through horizon-scanning and translate into proactive research initiatives that protect national food systems.Ethical and regulatory standards for animal research and production — champion and embed across organizational culture, integrating integrity and attention to detail into institutional governance.Innovation pipelines linking genomic, computational, and field research — design and oversee, ensuring CAD software, GIS platforms, and analytical tools are fully leveraged to accelerate scientific discovery.
Also known as
28 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Research ScientistAnimal AnatomistBacteriologistDairy Nutrition ConsultantAnimal BreederScientistDairy BacteriologistBeef Cattle SpecialistSwine SpecialistDairy Research NutritionistSwine Extension Field SpecialistAnimal Nutrition ConsultantSericulturistDairy ScientistNutrition SpecialistBehavioristBeef Cattle NutritionistAnimal NutritionistPoultry ScientistCompanion Animal NutritionistAnimal BiologistSwine NutritionistAnimal ScientistSwine Genetics ResearcherNutrition PartnerAnimal GeneticistAnimal BehavioristDairy Nutrition Specialist