Popular Science picks the Top 10 Worst Jobs in Science


Be thankful that you’re not the person analyzing maggots on decaying bodies, neutering wild elephants or sailing the high seas in search of whale feces.


Whale-poop sniffing dog at work!


The next time you feel like the lead character in “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day,” just think of Popular Science’s Top 10 Worst Jobs in Science and be thankful that you’re not the person analyzing maggots on decaying bodies, neutering wild elephants or sailing the high seas in search of whale feces.

For the past four years, the magazine has scanned labs, morgues, sewers and even institutes of higher learning across the United States to compile its annual list of the year’s Worst Jobs in Science. These careers require not only an iron stomach, but also an incredible amount of precision, dedication and passion.

So, what exactly are this year’s most unappealing professions? Here’s the list, along with Ward’s assessment of what it takes to complete these careers:

10. Whale-Feces Researcher

9. Forensic Entomologist

8. Olympic Drug Tester

7. Gravity Research Subject

6. Microsoft Security Grunt

5. Coursework Carcass Preparer

4. Garbologist

3. Elephant Vasectomist

2. Oceanographer

1. Hazmat Diver

No doubt, we can come up with a few additions, corrections, whatever?

Posted: Wed - June 20, 2007 at 06:49 AM