Thanatology researcher

Description

Thanatology researchers study death and the dying in a variety of scientific fields such as psychology, sociology, physiology and anthropology. They contribute to the growth of knowledge on aspects of death such as the psychological phenomena the dying and those around them are experiencing.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to thanatology researcher:

researcher in the psychology of death and dying
thanatological scholar
researcher in thanatology
thanatologist
thanatological researcher
fellow in thanatology

Minimum qualifications

Doctoral or equivalent level is generally required to work as thanatology researcher. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Thanatology researcher is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Thanatology researcher career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to thanatology researcher.

anthropologist
philosopher
religion scientific researcher
behavioural scientist
communication scientist

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of thanatology researcher. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of thanatology researcher with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of thanatology researcher.

Sociology: The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Thanatology: The interdisciplinary study of death and the dying.
Psychology: The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
Anthropology: The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of thanatology researcher.

Gather data: Extract exportable data from multiple sources.
Identify research topics: Determine issues on social, economic or political level in order to explore them and to do research on them.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Identify purpose of analysis: Identify the customer’s needs and select the appropriate analysis methods that will fit a specific purpose, such as quality assurance, process development or improvement, production, and scientific research.
Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of thanatology researcher. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Social sciences: The development and characteristics of sociological, anthropological, psychological, political, and social policy theories.
Human physiology: The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
Archaeology: The study of the recovery and examination of material culture left behind from human activity in the past.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Philosophy: The different philosophical systems, their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices and their impact on human culture.
Forensic anthropology: The scientific study and techniques that use history, archaeology, and biology to analyse human remains and determine their age, sex, and time and cause of death.
Ethics: The philosophical study that deals with solving questions of human morality; it defines and systemises concepts such as right, wrong, and crime.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of thanatology researcher. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Conduct psychological research: Plan, supervise and undertake psychological research, writing papers to describe the research results.
Lead a team: Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.
Do historical research: Use scientific methods to research history and culture.
Conduct psychological assessement: Assess patient`s behaviour and needs via observation and tailored interviews, administering and interpreting psychometric and idiosyncratic assessments.
Conduct research interview: Use professional researching and interviewing methods and techniques to gather relevant data, facts or information, to gain new insights and to fully comprehend the message of the interviewee.
Publish academic research: Conduct academic research, at a university or college 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.
Evaluate forensic data: Evaluate the data gathered during the forensic investigation of a crime scene or other scene where such investigation is necessary, in order to assess its usability for the ensuing investigation.
Conduct health related research: Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.
Plan research process: Outline the research methodologies and schedule in order to ensure that the research can be thoroughly and efficiently executed and that the objectives can be met in a timely manner.
Research human behaviour: Analyse, study, and explain human behaviour, uncover the reasons why individuals and groups behave as they do, and look for patterns in order to predict future behaviour.

ISCO group and title

2632 – Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Thanatology researcher – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022