Occupation intelligence

veterinary scientist

Snapshot

Are you fascinated by animal biology and its potential to improve human health? As a veterinary scientist, you'll conduct cutting-edge research, bridging the gap between animal and human medicine to advance scientific understanding and develop innovative solutions.

Summary

Veterinary scientists are researchers who investigate animal health and disease, often using animal models to understand biological processes. Your work involves designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings. A key aspect of the role is translating research from one species to another, including applications that can benefit human medicine. This career path requires a strong scientific background and a dedication to advancing knowledge in the field.

Key responsibilities
  • • Designing and conducting research studies using animal models.
  • • Analyzing complex data sets and interpreting research findings.
  • • Comparing basic biological principles across different animal species.
45%
Resilience Score · 2026 (Higher is better)
Bachelor's or equivalent level 45% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Labour market

Where this occupation is in demand

Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.

Shortage reportedSurplus reportedReported in another yearNot covered by this source

Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.

Figures cover Health professionals — 68 jobs including this one.

11 of 13 in shortage202522 of 30 growing2.9Mopenings to 2035

In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France and 7 more.

Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 3 years.

Select a place on the map to see its figures.

About this source

Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.

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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.

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Quick fit check

Could veterinary scientist fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?

NexFuture™

Future Outlook for veterinary scientist

The outlook for veterinary scientist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could veterinary scientist change as AI adoption grows?

This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 13 years (around 2039) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
~45%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP~45%
Human advantage
MOAT~45%

Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.

2026
2033
2044
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 45% Human-owned
What still depends on people
  • apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
  • manage the use of vaccines
  • interact professionally in research and professional environments
The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on anatomy of animals and veterinary terminology. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 17% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot
  • manage open publications
  • perform laboratory testing on samples of animals
  • manage animal biosecurity
Automate 45% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation
  • synthesise information
  • maintain veterinary clinical records
  • apply for research funding
Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs & AI Vectors

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
AI / Machine Learning 17%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Generative AI 10%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Robotic & Physical Automation 5%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Cognitive Software 0%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v3.0 Sources: O*NET® 30.3, ESCO v1.2.1 Updated: Aug 2026

NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.

Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Agriculture

Day in the life

A typical day as a veterinary scientist

09
09:00 · Morning
apply animal hygiene practices
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
assess animal behaviour
Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'
12
12:00 · Midday
apply specialised veterinary knowledge
Resolve problems which are beyond the competence of a general practice veterinarian.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and work environments.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
collect samples from animals
Obtain specimens of an animal's body fluids, secretions, excretion or other tissues, in order to facilitate the diagnosis of health and disease.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
communicate specialised veterinary information
Communicate the relevance of and the advances in the area of specialisation to general practice veterinarians and to non-veterinarians.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Adobe AcrobatAmerican Data Systems PAWS Veterinary Practice ManagementComplete ClinicEklin Information Systems VIAHenry Schein ImproMedIDEXX Laboratories IDEXX CornerstoneIDEXX Laboratories IDEXX VPMImproMed InfinityInformaVet ALIS-VETIntraVetMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordMobile Data Software VetInfoSneakers Software DVMax PracticeVetportWeb browser software
Knowledge areas
  • anatomy of animals

    The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.

  • veterinary terminology

    Spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.

  • signs of animal illness

    Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.

  • veterinary clinical sciences

    Aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and disorders. This includes veterinary areas such as propaedeutics, clinical and anatomic pathology, microbiology, parasitology, clinical medicine and surgery (including anaesthetics), preventive medicine, diagnostic imaging, animal reproduction and reproductive disorders, veterinary state medicine and public health, veterinary legislation and forensic medicine, and therapeutics.

  • zoonotic diseases

    Zoonoses are infectious diseases of animals that can naturally be transmitted to humans. They consist of a wide range of diseases and range from endemic zoonoses such as brucellosis, anthrax, bovine tuberculosis, parasitic diseases (hydatid disease, echinococcosis, trichinellosis) and rabies to emerging zoonoses, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, Nipah/Hendra disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.

Cross-sector skills
  • fundamental veterinary sciences
  • scientific literature
Essential skills
conducting academic or market research
  • manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data

    Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.

  • perform scientific research

    Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

  • conduct quantitative research

    Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.

  • apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities

    Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

  • promote open innovation in research

    Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.

  • integrate gender dimension in research

    Take into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).

technical or academic writing
  • draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation

    Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.

  • disseminate results to the scientific community

    Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.

  • publish academic research

    Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.

  • write scientific publications

    Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.

providing therapy or veterinary treatment for animals
  • apply specialised veterinary knowledge

    Resolve problems which are beyond the competence of a general practice veterinarian.

  • perform veterinary diagnosis

    Identify and determine the physiological status of animals and the nature and cause of diseases in animals through evaluation of patient history, clinical examination, and the selection, taking and reviewing of confirmatory imaging, laboratory and other ancillary test data.

  • assess animal behaviour

    Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'

  • provide anaesthetics to animals

    Select, administer, and monitor anaesthetics in animals in preparation for surgery.'

presenting research or technical information
  • communicate specialised veterinary information

    Communicate the relevance of and the advances in the area of specialisation to general practice veterinarians and to non-veterinarians.

  • communicate with a non-scientific audience

    Communicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of methods for different target groups, including visual presentations.

managing information
  • manage research data

    Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.

testing and analysing substances
  • perform laboratory testing on samples of animals

    Conduct and interprete simple procedures in a veterinary practice laboratory on samples of an animal intended to detect, identify, or quantify disease agents, evaluate organ functions, or determine the nature of a disease.

maintaining or preparing medical documentation
  • maintain veterinary clinical records

    Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.

monitoring health conditions of humans and animals
  • manage animal biosecurity

    Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Analytical Thinking Integrity Dependability Attention to Detail Initiative Achievement/Effort Persistence Cooperation Adaptability/Flexibility Innovation Leadership Independence Self-Control Stress Tolerance Concern for Others Social Orientation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Career landscape

Where does veterinary scientist fit?

This role
veterinary scientist This role

Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What kind of advanced degrees are typically required to become a veterinary scientist?
A doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant field, such as veterinary science, biology, zoology, or a related discipline, is generally essential. Some positions may accept candidates with a Master’s degree and significant research experience.
How does the work of a veterinary scientist differ from that of a veterinarian?
Veterinarians primarily focus on the clinical care and treatment of individual animals. Veterinary scientists, on the other hand, concentrate on research and the advancement of scientific knowledge related to animal health, often with broader implications for human health.
What are the typical work environments for veterinary scientists?
Veterinary scientists are mostly employed in research institutions, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies. While less common, some may also find opportunities in private practice settings focused on research and development.
Veterinary Scientist — is there a shortage in Europe?
Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 11 of the 13 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece and 7 more. Netherlands has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
Veterinary Scientist — what does it pay in the United States?
$125,510 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $88,650 to $163,920. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.