Earth science lecturer
Also known as: geoscience lector, professor of earth science, earth science lector, geology lecturer, senior lecturer in earth sciences, geoscience professor
About this occupation
Earth science lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, earth science, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants in preparation of lectures and of exams, grading papers and exams and leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their field of earth science, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- develop course outline
- liaise with educational staff
- demonstrate when teaching
- perform classroom management
- give constructive feedback
- liaise with educational support staff
- geology
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- meteorology
- guarantee students' safety
- apply teaching strategies
- apply intercultural teaching strategies
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1051.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Supervise laboratory work and field work.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Realistic
Top skills: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Science, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$103,170 a year (2025), 9,900 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.3)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.9)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.6)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.5)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (3.5)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyImportant (3.5)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.