Scientist
Pierre Curie and Marie Curie demonstrating an apparatus that detects radioactivity. They received the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics for their scientific research; Marie also received the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | Scientist |
Occupation type | Profession |
Activity sectors | Laboratory, research university, field research |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Scientific research |
Education required | Science |
Fields of employment | Academia, industry, government, nonprofit |
Related jobs | Engineers |
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A scientist is a person who researches to advance knowledge in an area of the natural sciences.
In classical antiquity, there was no real ancient analog of a modern scientist. Instead, philosophers engaged in the philosophical study of nature called natural philosophy, a precursor of natural science. Though Thales (c. 624–545 BC) was arguably the first scientist for describing how cosmic events may be seen as natural, not necessarily caused by gods, it was not until the 19th century that the term scientist came into regular use after it was coined by the theologian, philosopher, and historian of science William Whewell in 1833.