Editing Scientist (section)

==Profession==
As a profession, the scientist of today is widely recognized{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}. However, there is no formal process to determine who is a scientist and who is not a scientist. Anyone can be a scientist in some sense. Some professions have legal requirements for their practice (e.g. [[licensure]]) and some scientists are [[independent scientist]]s meaning that they practice science on their own, but to practice science there are no known [[licensure]] requirements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/sciencecommunication/2014/08/07/everyone-is-a-scientist/|title=Everyone is a Scientist – Scientific Scribbles}}</ref>

===Education===
In modern times, many professional scientists are trained in an [[Academy|academic setting]] (e.g., [[universities]] and [[research institute]]s), mostly at the level of [[graduate school]]s. Upon completion, they would normally attain an [[academic degree]], with the highest degree being a [[doctorate]] such as a [[Doctor of Philosophy]] (PhD).<ref name="Cyranoski2011">{{cite journal | last1 = Cyranoski | first1 = David | last2 = Gilbert | first2 = Natasha | last3 = Ledford | first3 = Heidi | last4 = Nayar | first4 = Anjali | last5 = Yahia | first5 = Mohammed | year = 2011 | title = Education: The PhD factory | journal = Nature | volume = 472 | issue = 7343 | pages = 276–279 | doi = 10.1038/472276a | pmid=21512548| bibcode = 2011Natur.472..276C | doi-access = free }}</ref> Although [[Postgraduate education|graduate education]] for scientists varies among institutions and countries, some common training requirements include [[Academic specialization|specializing]] in an [[Branches of science|area]] of interest,<ref name="Editorial2015">{{cite journal | year = 2015 | title = STEM education: To build a scientist | journal = Nature | volume = 523 | issue = 7560 | pages = 371–373 | doi = 10.1038/nj7560-371a | doi-access = free }}</ref> publishing research findings in [[Peer review|peer-reviewed]] [[scientific journal]]s<ref name="Gould2016">{{cite journal | last1 = Gould | first1 = Julie | year = 2016 | title = What's the point of the PhD thesis? | journal = Nature | volume = 535 | issue = 7610 | pages = 26–28 | doi = 10.1038/535026a | pmid = 27383968 | bibcode = 2016Natur.535...26G | doi-access = free }}</ref> and presenting them at [[Academic conference|scientific conferences]],<ref name="Kruger2018">{{cite journal | last1 = Kruger | first1 = Philipp | year = 2018 | title = Why it is not a 'failure' to leave academia | journal = Nature | volume = 560 | issue = 7716 | pages = 133–134 | doi = 10.1038/d41586-018-05838-y | pmid = 30065341 | bibcode = 2018Natur.560..133K | doi-access = free }}</ref> giving [[lecture]]s or [[Teacher|teaching]],<ref name="Kruger2018"/> and defending a [[Thesis|thesis (or dissertation)]] during an [[oral exam]]ination.<ref name="Cyranoski2011"/> To aid them in this endeavor, graduate students often work under the guidance of a [[Mentorship|mentor]], usually a senior scientist, which may continue after the completion of their doctorates whereby they work as [[postdoctoral researcher]]s.<ref name="Lee2007">{{cite journal | last1 = Lee | first1 = Adrian | last2 = Dennis | first2 = Carina | last3 = Campbell | first3 = Phillip | year = 2007 | title = Nature's guide for mentors | journal = Nature | volume = 447 | issue = 7146 | pages = 791–797 | doi = 10.1038/447791a | pmid = 17568738 | bibcode = 2007Natur.447..791L | doi-access = free }}</ref>

===Career===
After the completion of their training, many scientists pursue careers in a variety of work settings and conditions.<ref name="Kwok2017">{{cite journal | last1 = Kwok | first1 = Roberta | title = Flexible working: Science in the gig economy | journal = Nature | volume = 550 | pages = 419–421 | doi = 10.1038/nj7677-549a | year=2017| doi-access = free }}</ref> In 2017, the British [[scientific journal]] ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' published the results of a large-scale survey of more than 5,700 doctoral students worldwide, asking them which [[Economic sector|sectors of the economy]] they would like to work in. A little over half of the respondents wanted to pursue a career in academia, with smaller proportions hoping to work in industry, government, and nonprofit environments.<ref name="Editorial2017a">{{cite journal | year = 2007 | title = Many junior scientists need to take a hard look at their job prospects | journal = Nature | editor = Editorial | volume = 550 | pages = 549–552| doi = 10.1038/nj7677-549a | last1 = Woolston | first1 = Chris| doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name="Woolston2017">{{cite journal | last1 = Lee | first1 = Adrian | last2 = Dennis | first2 = Carina | last3 = Campbell | first3 = Phillip | year = 2007 | title = Graduate survey: A love–hurt relationship | journal = Nature | volume = 550 | issue = 7677 | pages = 549–552 | doi = 10.1038/nj7677-549a| doi-access = free }}</ref>

Other motivations are recognition by their peers and prestige. The [[Nobel Prize]], a widely regarded prestigious award,<ref name = "Stockton2014">{{citation | last = Stockton | first = Nick | title = How did the Nobel Prize become the biggest award on Earth? | newspaper = Wired | date = 7 October 2014 | url = https://www.wired.com/2014/10/whats-nobel-prize-become-biggest-award-planet | access-date = 3 September 2018}}</ref> is awarded annually to those who have achieved scientific advances in the fields of [[medicine]], [[physics]], and [[chemistry]].

Some scientists have a desire to apply scientific knowledge for the benefit of people's health, the nations, the world, nature, or industries (academic scientist and [[industrial scientist]]). Scientists tend to be less motivated by direct financial reward for their work than other careers. As a result, scientific researchers often accept lower average salaries when compared with many other professions which require a similar amount of training and qualification.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

====Research interests====
Scientists include [[experiment]]alists who mainly perform experiments to test hypotheses, and [[Scientific theory|theoreticians]] who mainly develop [[Scientific modelling|models]] to explain existing data and predict new results. There is a continuum between the two activities and the division between them is not clear-cut, with many scientists performing both tasks.

Those considering science as a [[career]] often look to the frontiers. These include [[physical cosmology|cosmology]] and [[biology]], especially [[molecular biology]] and the [[human genome]] project. Other areas of active research include the exploration of [[matter]] at the scale of [[elementary particle]]s as described by [[particle physics|high-energy physics]], and [[materials science]], which seeks to discover and design new materials. Others choose to study [[Human brain|brain]] function and [[neurotransmitter]]s, which is considered by many to be the "final frontier".<ref>{{cite book | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234155/ | title=Foreword | year=1992 | publisher=National Academies Press (US) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://stanfordmag.org/contents/the-brain-the-final-frontier | title=The Brain: The Final Frontier? | date=November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cmu.edu/homepage/health/2010/summer/the-last-frontier.shtml | title=The Last Frontier - Carnegie Mellon University &#124; CMU }}</ref> There are many important discoveries to make regarding the nature of the [[mind]] and [[human]] [[thought]], much of which still remains unknown.

===By specialization===

====Natural science====
=====Physical science=====
{| class=wikitable
|
* [[Chemist]]
**[[Agrochemistry|Agrochemist]]
** [[Analytical chemist]]
** [[Astrochemist]]
** [[Atmospheric chemist]]
**[[Biophysical chemistry|Biophysical chemist]]
**[[Clinical chemistry|Clinical chemist]]
**[[Computational chemistry|Computational chemist]]
**[[Electrochemistry|Electrochemist]]
**[[Femtochemistry|Femtochemist]]
**[[Geochemist]]
**[[Green chemistry|Green chemist]]
**[[Laboratory technician|Chemical laboratory technician]]
**[[Inorganic chemist]]
**[[Medicinal chemistry|Medicinal chemist]]
**[[Nuclear chemistry|Nuclear chemist]]
**[[Organic chemist]]
**[[Organometallic chemistry|Organometallic chemist]]
**[[Pharmacology|Pharmacologist]]
**[[Physical chemist]]
**[[Quantum chemistry|Quantum chemist]]
**[[Solid-state chemistry|Solid-state chemist]]
**[[Stereochemistry|Stereochemist]]
**[[Structural chemistry|Structural chemist]]
**[[Supramolecular chemistry|Supramolecular chemist]]
**[[Theoretical chemistry|Theoretical chemist]]
**[[Thermochemistry|Thermochemist]]
|
* [[Earth science|Earth scientist]]
** [[Astrogeology|Astrogeologist]]
** [[Biogeochemistry|Biogeochemist]]
** [[Climatology|Climatologist]]
** [[Dendroarchaeology|Dendroarchaeologist]]
** [[Dendrology|Dendrologist]]
** [[Edaphology|Edaphologist]]
** [[Gemology|Gemologist]]
** [[Geoarchaeology|Geoarchaeologist]]
** [[Geobiology|Geobiologist]]
** [[Geographer]]
** [[Geologist]]
** [[Geomicrobiology|Geomicrobiologist]]
** [[Geomorphology|Geomorphologist]]
** [[Geophysicist]]
** [[Glaciology|Glaciologist]]
** [[Hydrogeology|Hydrogeologist]]
** [[Hydrologist]]
** [[Hydrometeorology|Hydrometeorologist]]
** [[Limnology|Limnologist]]
** [[Meteorologist]]
** [[Mineralogy|Mineralogist]]
** [[Oceanography|Oceanographer]]
** [[Paleoclimatology|Paleoclimatologist]]
** [[Paleoecology|Paleoecologist]]
** [[Paleogeology|Paleogeologist]]
** [[Paleoseismology|Paleoseismologist]]
** [[Palynology|Palynologist]]
** [[Petrology|Petrologist]]
** [[Sedimentology|Sedimentologist]]
** [[Seismology|Seismologist]]
** [[Speleology|Speleologist]]
** [[Volcanologist]]
|
* [[Physicist]]
** [[Acoustics|Acoustician]]
** [[Agrophysics|Agrophysicist]]
** [[Astrophysicist]]
** [[Atmospheric physicist]]
** [[Atomic physicist]]
** [[Biological physics|Biological physicist]]
** [[Chemical physics|Chemical physicist]]
** [[Computational physics|Computational physicist]]
** [[Cosmologist]]
** [[Condensed-matter physics|Condensed-matter physicist]]
** [[Engineering physics|Engineering physicist]]
** [[Material physics|Material physicist]]
** [[Molecular physics|Molecular physicist]]
** [[Nuclear physics|Nuclear physicist]]
** [[Particle physics|Particle physicist]]
** [[Plasma physics|Plasma physicist]]
** [[Polymer physics|Polymer physicist]]
** [[Psychophysics|Psychophysicist]]
** [[Quantum physics|Quantum physicist]]
** [[Theoretical physics|Theoretical physicist]]
|
* [[Astronomer]]
** [[Planetary science]]
** [[Space science]]
** [[Cosmology]]
|}

=====Life science=====
{{Main|List of life sciences}}
{| class=wikitable
|
* [[Biologist]]
**[[Acarology|Acarologist]]
** [[Aerobiology|Aerobiologist]]
** [[Anatomist]]
** [[Arachnology|Arachnologist]]
** [[Bacteriologist]]
**[[Bioclimatology|Bioclimatologist]]
**[[Biogeography|Biogeographer]]
**[[Bioinformatics|Bioinformatician]]
** [[Biotechnology|Biotechnologist]]
** [[Bioarcheology|Bioarcheologist]]
**[[Biochemist]]
**[[Biolinguistics|Biolinguist]]
** [[Biological anthropology|Biological anthropologist]]
**[[Biophysics|Biophysicist]]
**[[Biostatistics|Biostatistician]]
**[[Botany|Botanist]]
**[[Cell biology|Cell biologist]]
**[[Chronobiology|Chronobiologist]]
**[[Cognitive biology|Cognitive biologist]]
**[[Computational biology|Computational biologist]]
|
* [[Conservation biology|Conservation biologist]]
* [[Dendrochronology|Dendrochronologist]]
* [[Developmental biology|Developmental biologist]]
* [[Ecology|Ecologist]]
* [[Electrophysiology|Electrophysiologist]]
* [[Embryology|Embryologist]]
* [[Endocrinologist]]
* [[Entomology|Entomologist]]
* [[Epidemiology|Epidemiologist]]
* [[Ethology|Ethologist]]
* [[Evolutionary biologist]]
* [[Geneticist]]
* [[Hematologist]]
* [[Herbchronology|Herbchronologist]]
* [[Herpetology|Herpetologist]]
* [[Histology|Histologist]]
* [[Human behavioral ecology|Human behavioral ecologist]]
* [[Human biology|Human biologist]]
|
* [[Ichnology|Ichnologist]]
* [[Ichthyology|Ichthyologist]]
* [[Immunology|Immunologist]]
* [[Integrative biology|Integrative biologist]]
* [[Lepidopterist]]
* [[Mammalogy|Mammalogist]]
* [[Marine biologist]]
*[[Medical biology|Medical biologist]]
* [[Microbiologist]]
* [[Molecular biologist]]
* [[Mycology|Mycologist]]
* [[Neuroendocrinology|Neuroendocrinologist]]
* [[Neuroscientist]]
** [[Neuropsychologist]]
* [[Ornithology|Ornithologist]]
* [[Osteology|Osteologist]]
* [[Paleoanthropology|Paleoanthropologist]]
* [[Paleobotany|Paleobotanist]]
* [[Paleobiology|Paleobiologist]]
* [[Paleontologist]]
* [[Paleopathology|Paleopathologist]]
|
* [[Parasitology|Parasitologist]]
* [[Pathology|Pathologist]]
* [[Physiology|Physiologist]]
* [[Phytopathology|Phytopathologist]]
* [[Population biology|Population biologist]]
* [[Primatology|Primatologist]]
* [[Quantum biology|Quantum biologist]]
* [[Radiobiology|Radiobiologist]]
* [[Sclerochronology|Sclerochronologist]]
* [[Sociobiology|Sociobiologist]]
* [[Structural biology|Structural biologist]]
* [[Theoretical biology|Theoretical biologist]]
* [[Toxicology|Toxicologist]]
* [[Virologist]]
* [[Wildlife biology|Wildlife biologist]]
* [[Zoology|Zoologist]]
|}

====Social science====
{| class=wikitable
|
*[[Anthropologist]]
** [[Archaeologist]]
** [[Cultural Anthropology|Cultural anthropologist]]
** [[Linguistics|Linguistic anthropologist]]
* [[Communication studies|Communication scientist]]
* [[Criminology|Criminologist]]
* [[Demography|Demographer]]
* [[Economist]]
* [[Management science|Management scientist]]
* [[Political economy|Political economist]]
* [[Political science|Political scientist]]
|
* [[Psychologist]]
** [[Behavioral genetics|Behavioral geneticist]]
** [[Clinical psychologist]]
** [[Cognitive psychologist]]
** [[Developmental psychologist]]
** [[Educational psychologist]]
** [[Evolutionary psychologist]]
** [[Experimental psychologist]]
** [[Forensic psychology|Forensic psychologist]]
** [[Health psychology|Health psychologist]]
** [[Industrial and organizational psychology|Industrial and organizational psychologist]]
** [[Medical psychology|Medical psychologist]]
** [[Social psychologist]]
** [[Sport psychology|Sport psychologist]]
* [[Sociology|Sociologist]]
|}

====Formal science====
{| class=wikitable
|
* [[Computer scientist]]
** [[Computational scientist]]
** [[Data scientist]]
* [[Mathematician]]<ref name="Whewell" />
** [[Abstract algebra|Algebraist]]
** [[Mathematical analysis|Analyst]]
** [[Geometer]]
** [[Mathematical logic|Logician]]
** [[List of mathematical probabilists|Probabilist]]
** [[Statistician]]
** [[Topologist]]
* [[Systems science|Systems scientist]]
|}

====Applied====
{| class = wikitable
|
* [[Agricultural|Agriculturist]]
*[[Applied physics]]
**[[Health physics|Health physicist]]
**[[Medical physics|Medical physicist]]
*[[Biomedical research|Biomedical scientist]]
*[[Engineering physics|Engineering scientist]]
*[[Environmental science|Environmental scientist]]
* [[Food science|Food scientist]]
* [[kinesiology|Kinesiologist]]
* [[Operations research|Operations research and management analysts]]
* [[Physician scientist]]
|}

====Interdisciplinary====
{| class=wikitable
|
*[[Materials science|Materials scientist]]
* [[Mathematical biology|Mathematical biologist]]
* [[Mathematical chemistry|Mathematical chemist]]
* [[Mathematical economics|Mathematical economist]]
* [[Mathematical physics|Mathematical physicist]]
* [[Mathematical sociology|Mathematical sociologist]]
|}

===By employer===
* [[Academic]]
* [[Independent scientist]]
* [[Applied science|Industrial/applied scientist]]
* [[Citizen scientist]]
* [[Government scientist]]