Energy, Utilities & Environment

Environmental Scientist

Studies the environment and investigates problems of pollution and its effects on living organisms. Develops solutions to environmental problems.

Science

Career role details and responsibilities

Studies the environment and investigates problems of pollution and its effects on living organisms. Develops solutions to environmental problems. Environmental Scientist sits within the Energy, Utilities & Environment career cluster and focuses on applying domain knowledge to practical problems.

Role details

Studies the environment and investigates problems of pollution and its effects on living organisms. Develops solutions to environmental problems. Environmental Scientist sits within the Energy, Utilities & Environment career cluster and focuses on applying domain knowledge to practical problems.

Responsibilities

Conducting field and laboratory research, collecting and analyzing environmental data (air, water, soil), writing reports, advising on environmental policies, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Typical responsibilities include understanding user or business needs, applying relevant tools and methods, and coordinating with stakeholders. The role also requires continuous learning, quality improvement, and adapting to changes in technology, industry practices, and market demand.

Next Gen career options

[ "Climate Change Analyst", "Environmental Data Scientist", "Sustainability Consultant", "Circular Economy Specialist", "Environmental Forensics Investigator" ]

Pointer: Next Gen career options related to this role

[ "Climate Change Analyst", "Environmental Data Scientist", "Sustainability Consultant", "Circular Economy Specialist", "Environmental Forensics Investigator" ]

Educational institutes

Top 5 educational institutes in India

Name of Institute Location Website
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Multiple Cities https://www.iitd.ac.in/academics/departments/department-of-civil-engineering/environmental-engineering
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Karnataka https://www.iisc.ac.in/academics/schools/divisional-structure/division-of-earth-and-environmental-sciences/
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) Nagpur, Maharashtra https://www.neeri.res.in/
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi, Delhi https://www.jnu.ac.in/SLL&CS/envstudies
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar, Uttarakhand https://www.gbpuat.ac.in/

Top 5 educational institutes globally

Name of Institute Location Website
Stanford University Stanford, USA https://earth.stanford.edu/
University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada https://environment.ubc.ca/
Imperial College London London, UK https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/
University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia https://science.unimelb.edu.au/departments/earth-systems-and-environmental-sciences
ETH Zurich Zurich, Switzerland https://www.ethz.ch/en/education/master/environmental-sciences-policy.html
Refer our tool Unifinder to explore university matching your requirements https://counselnavi.com/uni-finder
Career role Name
Environmental Scientist
Career Cluster
Energy, Utilities & Environment
Industry alignment
Environmental Consulting, Government Agencies, Research Institutions: Focuses on understanding and mitigating environmental impacts.
Work environment
Mix of indoor (laboratory, office) and outdoor (fieldwork) settings. Standard working hours, but fieldwork may require irregular hours. Moderate work-life balance.
Opportunity Type
Steady growth, especially in areas of sustainability and climate change. Moderate work stress due to the nature of problem-solving. Good salary potential with experience. Opportunities for research and analysis. High job stability.
Key skills needed
Scientific knowledge (Advanced): Understanding of ecology, chemistry, biology, geology. Analytical skills (Advanced): Ability to interpret complex data. Research skills (Proficient): Designing and conducting studies. Communication skills (Proficient): Report writing and presentation.
Interest type alignment
Investigative (Research, analysis, problem-solving), Social (Communicating findings, advocating for the environment), Artistic (Visualizing data, presenting findings).
Career growth Path
Research Assistant (0-3 yrs) -> Scientist (3-7 yrs) -> Senior Scientist/Project Lead (7-12 yrs) -> Department Manager/Consultant (12+ yrs)
Suggested education Pathways 10th standard onwards
  • B.Sc. in Environmental Science/Zoology/Botany
  • M.Sc. in Environmental Science/Ecology
  • Ph.D. in a specialized environmental field
Education Stream recommendations
Science
Demand in India
Growing, with increasing awareness and regulation around pollution control, waste management, and conservation.
Demand globally
High, driven by global environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Career & Job Prospects
Environmental Consultant, Researcher, Field Scientist, Policy Advisor, Conservation Officer. Related roles include Geologist, Hydrologist, Ecologist.