Paleontologist (Paleontoloog)
Information on this skill...
A paleontologist is a scientist who studies paleontology. Paleontology is the science that studies fossil remains or traces of organisms. The relationship between living organisms and extinct organisms also plays an important role in this. Paleontologists don't just examine fossil remains. They can also study traces of fossil organisms. Traces of fossil organisms can be, for example, the footsteps of animals or other traces, such as digging passages, burrows or feces, that can help with the research. The term organisms refers to plants and animals that live or that have lived. Organisms can only be found on the outer crust of the earth including the seas, because it must have lived. In short, the work of a paleontologist can most easily be described as studying life in earlier times. Paleontologists can conduct research for a variety of reasons, but in many cases the studies have to do with understanding how life on Earth has changed over time. This relates to investigating how plant and animal species have arisen and changed over time. Obviously, the research work of a paleontologist is important, because understanding the past is important. As a paleontologist, you investigate fossil remains and traces of organisms to better understand the evolution of the earth. This concerns specialist research work, which cannot be carried out by just anyone. Within paleontology there are two directions, namely paleobotany and paleozoology. Paleobotany refers to fossil plants and paleozoology to fossil animals. In addition, a paleontologist within these fields can be specialized within certain organisms.
A paleontologist is therefore specialized in researching fossil plantand animal species. As described earlier, there are two disciplines, namely paleobotany and paleozoology. In addition, a paleontologist can conduct research into fossil remains of humans. When a paleontologist conducts research on human remains, this is called physical anthropology or biological anthropology. Anthropology cannot simply be compared to paleontology, because anthropology covers all aspects of man. Consider, for example, how people have lived and the study of ancient cultures. Paleontology is a broad field, which most people know from the dinosaurs and mammoths, which we can view in museums. Dinosaurs and mammoths are extinct animals, which are very impressive because of their impressive bones and size. But a paleontologist does more than just research dinosaurs and mammoths. Consider, for example, the research of leaves, plants, fish, shells, horn, hair and leather. This kind of research work is important to better understand how life on Earth has changed over time. As a paleontologist, you will sometimes have to search deep into the earth for this, because fossil remains occur within different layers of the earth. This is also because the earth has to deal with geological changes, so that fossil remains can be deep inside the earth. For example, it may happen that a paleontologist uses a mine to conduct research. In addition, it may happen that a paleontologist has to dive to be able to carry out research at sea.
WHAT IS ORGANISM
The definition of an organism is that it is a living being or life form with its own metabolism or metabolism. These are people, animals, plants, bacteria and fungi. Viruses and prions are not organisms. Someone who conducts research into viruses and prions is called a virologist.
WHAT IS A FOSSIL
Fossils are remains of all the plants and animals that have been preserved. It is not the case that a fossil has to be automatically petrified, because many fossils are also found that are not petrified. In addition, not all fossils that are found are centuries old. Fossils are also regularly found that are relatively not old. The best-known forms of fossils are bones, because they decay the least quickly. Bones belong to the hard parts of an organism and decay less quickly than soft parts. Soft parts are therefore much rarer than hard organisms. Soft parts of an organism usually only survive if they are quickly covered, so that they are protected from rotting or eating.
Fossilization or preservation of organisms is the covering or enclosing of the organism. Think of volcanic eruptions, which cause animals and plants to become covered, or amber that traps insects. Amber is a fossil resin derived from coniferous trees, which becomes petrified after millions of years. If there is an insect in the resin, it will of course be enclosed. In addition, we also know the so-called ichnofossils or trace fossils. Ichnofossils are not fossils of animals or plants, but of prints of animals and plants. Other tear-offs, such as snake crawling tracks, also belong to the ichnofossils. A scientist who conducts research into railway science is therefore specialized in ichnology.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ARCHAEOLOGIST AND PALEONTOLOGIST
An archaeologist and paleontologist are both researchers, with the difference that an archaeologist conducts research into human behavior in the past. Think of excavations of old buildings, human remains or utensils of people such as pots, pans and axes. A paleontologist examines fossil remains and traces of organisms.
WHAT DOES A PALEONTOLOGIST DO:
PALEONTOLOGIST TRAINING
Those who aspire to a career as a paleontologist can choose from various courses, such as the university study Biology or the university study Geology. In addition, the university study earth sciences is possible. Paleontology is a specialization within the aforementioned studies. As a preliminary education, the subjects mathematics, physics and chemistry are important. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A PALEONTOLOGIST CAN WORK
A paleontologist generally works for institutions, museums or universities. A job with the government is also possible. Within the business world, the profession of paleontologist is almost non-existent. The specialization as a paleontologist will determine whether a job is available within the business world. For example, a paleontologist specializing in marine organisms may work for Shell. As described earlier, it is conceivable that a paleontologist is connected to a museum. In that case, it is conceivable that you can be regarded as a conservator. In that case, you are usually also responsible for drafting education or acting as a guide.
COMPETENCES PALEONTOLOGIST
As a paleontologist you are a scientific researcher and you will of course have to be interested in paleontology. Despite the fact that a paleontologist regularly conducts research in the field, most work is not carried out in the field. A paleontologist is mainly concerned with measuring, making descriptions and communicating his findings. This type of work usually takes place within a laboratory. Because you usually have to deal with different colleagues and external parties, communication can be regarded as an important competence. Generally important words are passion, energy, precision, perseverance, flexibility, history, eagerness to learn, cooperation, planning and organizing.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A PALEONTOLOGIST
The labour market perspective of a paleontologist is generally fairly good. Within the business world, the profession of paleontologist is not very common, depending on the specialization. It is true that there are not very many paleontologists, so the job opportunities are fairly good. The career opportunities as a paleontologist must be seen in obtaining a PhD.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY PALEONTOLOGIST
There are no examples of the employment conditions, because you can work for different types of institutions and employers. It is also not possible to give a salary indication for this profession, because these can be very different per employer. A paleontologist working for a company like Shell will earn a lot more than a paleontologist working for a museum.
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