STEM Careers

A

• Aerospace scientist Deepen understanding of aerospace and identify development opportunities with industry.
• Agricultural scientist/consultant Investigate breeding, nutrition and disease resistance among plants and animals. Support farmers, agricultural and rural industries in production, processing and distribution of farm produce.
• Agronomist Study agricultural crops and soils and develop new crop hybrids and varieties.
• Air traffic controller Use your excellent spatial awareness and visualisation, together with reliable numeric and computational skills, to maintain the safe and orderly flow of air traffic.
• Animal behaviourist Look at the cause, functions, development and evolution of animal behaviour in a variety of settings to improve outcomes and treatment.
• Animal scientist Investigate nutritional values of feed and environmental conditions to improve productivity or quality, and conduct experiments in controlled breeding or embryo manipulation.
• Animal/veterinary technician Conduct clinical and laboratory procedures such as medical testing, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and diseases. Administer medication and provide specialist nursing care.
• Astronomer Investigate the solar system and observe objects in space from earth’s surface via satellites using specialised telescopes and design and attach equipment to telescopes and spacecraft.
• Astrophysicist Study the physical properties and phenomena of celestial bodies.

B

• Biochemist Undertake chemical analysis using sophisticated instruments and techniques, to understand chemical processes that occur within individual cells, or digestion and growth, involving whole organisms.
• Biodiversity assessor Protect, manage and enhance the local environment, looking at national parks and wildlife.
• Biomedical scientist The frontier of biological research the development of vaccines. Genetics, stem cell research, systems biology, molecular biology of cancer, cancer screening, diagnosing HIV and virology all require biomedical scientists.
• Biophysicist Research the physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, protein behaviour and related phenomena.
• Botanist Work with the biology of plants to apply scientific knowledge in conservation and management of natural resources, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, medicine and biotechnology.

C

• Catchment management Evaluate land use options, water allocation strategies and trade-offs, and identify river systems at risk of environmental contamination.
• Chemist / Analytical chemist Study and apply the physical and chemical properties of substances to determine their composition, develop new substances, processes and products, and increase scientific knowledge. Undertake research and analysis to test theories, techniques and processes.
• Climate and ecosystem modeller Design, develop, implement, test, maintain or exploit climate and ecosystem models.
• Clinical studies coordinator/manager Monitor and analyse clinical activities to identify issues, variances, and conflicts.
• Conservation scientist Protect and preserve natural resources via planned management to prevent depletion, destruction and/or extinction.

D

• Defence industry scientist Perform laboratory experiments, engage in modelling and simulation exercises, and research global trends and developments in areas of expertise to provide informed recommendations.

E

• Ecologist Conserve ecosystems and biodiversity by studying the relationship between organisms and their environment. Specialise in a specific animal or plant species, or in a specific environment.
• Entomologist Study insects to investigate behaviour, causes of outbreaks, and research control methods through integrated pest management, biological control and chemical means.
• Environmental biologist Solve environmental problems and preserve the natural world for future generations.
• Environmental chemist Monitor pollutants, their products and natural chemicals. Determine ways to reduce the bad effects of chemicals released in the environment. Devise environmentally friendly industrial processes.
• Environmental geologist Study the soil movement, erosion and degradation, the effect of pollution and human activity on rivers, and the environmental effects of mining, nuclear energy and waste management.
• Environmental scientist Identify, reduce and eliminate hazards that affect people, wildlife and their environments.
• Evolutionary biologist Use the latest techniques in palaeontology and molecular systematics to discover the wide diversity of plants and animals living in the present and preserved in the fossil record from the prehistoric past.

F

• Fisheries researcher Provide advice for the development of marine conservation and harvesting, including aquaculture. Assess and advise on introduced species, such as causes, effects, prevention and control.
• Food engineer/technologist/scientist Develop and improve food products and set standards for producing, packaging and marketing food.
• Forensic anthropologist Work in the physical anatomy of the human species. Analyse and identify human remains for legal purposes.
• Forensic scientist Apply scientific techniques to the examination of physical evidence that may assist in legal investigations in relation to criminal, environmental and safety law.

G

• Geneticist Examine genes, and the heredity and variations of organisms. Evaluate, diagnose and manage hereditary conditions or congenital malformations. Undertake genetic risk calculation and mutation analysis. Geneticists are required for work with humans, plants and animals.
• Geochemist Examine the chemical composition of the earth, chemical processes and the reactions that govern composition of rocks and soils.
• Geologist Work in the nature, composition and structure of the earth to increase scientific knowledge, locate materials and minerals, and advise on the extraction of minerals, environmental protection and land rehabilitation after mining.

H

• Horticulturalist Apply scientific knowledge to the cultivation of fruit, vegetables, berries, flowers, trees, shrubs and crops.
• Hydrogeologist Evaluate and manage the quantity, quality, reliability and sustainability of water resources for mining, petroleum, engineering and environmental industries.
• Hydrologist Examine the physical properties of water, including its circulation, distribution and physical properties above and below the surface of earth.

I

• Immunologist Research the immune system using complex and sophisticated molecular techniques to improve outcomes in diagnosis, management and treatment of immune conditions.

M

• Marine biologist Analyse marine populations, estimate numbers of marine organisms and develop long-term programs for monitoring environmental pollution.
• Medical physicist Undertake planning and delivery of radiotherapy in cancer clinics.
• Medical scientist Biomedical research to improve human health outcomes. More technical roles exist in the analysis of samples from patients and diagnosis.
• Microbiologist Investigate the world’s microorganisms, and how they affect animals and people.
• Mineral exploration Oversight of all aspects of mineral processing, including how sampling and laboratory work.

N

• Natural resource management Specialise in techniques for flora and fauna conservation, monitoring components of the environment (e.g. soil, water, air) and develop practical solutions in environmental management and rehabilitation.
• Neuroscientist Specialise in injuries and diseases affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system and muscle tissue.

O

• Oil and gas analyst Analyse and predict the nature of oil and gas deposits.

P

• Parks manager Park rangers lead tours and promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural features of parks, supervise public visits and advise visitors of park rules and regulations.
• Patent attorney Use specialised knowledge to draft and prosecute patents and represent clients in obtaining and contesting patents.
• Petrophysicist Evaluate and measure rock properties and reservoir resources, such as ore deposits and oil or natural gas reservoirs.
• Pharmaceutical engineer/researcher Improve the sustainability, efficiency, drug effectiveness and length of time between drug discoveries to delivery.
• Pharmacologist Develop and evaluate the origin, nature, chemistry, effects and uses of drugs in humans and animals.
• Physicist Interpret the behaviour of our physical world and investigate ways to apply new knowledge gained from science and technology.
• Physiologist Understand the physical workings of the human body and the ways the varying parts interact to investigate the effects of injury and opportunities for improvement in treatment and outcomes.

Q

• Quarantine border protection Control the entry of agricultural and horticultural produce, plants, animals, microorganisms and viruses that are at risk of crossing national and international borders, to minimise biosecurity risks and hazards.

R

• Research scientist Design, conduct and analyse experiments with an intended end use or to broaden scientific understanding.

S

• Science communicator Combine a love of science with a love of communication to help the world understand the role and contribution of science.
• Science teacher Educate the next generation of STEM and science leaders and prepare them for a future that is not yet known.
• Seismologist Become an earth scientist specialising in geophysics to study the genesis and propagation of seismic waves in geological materials.
• Soil scientist Study soil formation and classification, and map the physical, chemical, biological and fertility properties to improve soil use and management.
• Space scientist Investigate the solar system and the practical use of space.

V

• Veterinarian Become an accredited practitioner for animal surgery and animal medicine, with leadership in the health, diseases and care of all animals.
• Vineyard manager Oversee the practices and operations for viticulture.
• Viticulturalist Lead the growing of select grape varieties for the production of wine, with a focus on quality control, laboratory tests, harvest optimisation, crushing and pressing.

W

• Winemaker Lead the production of wine, working closely with viticulturalists who manage the growing process.

Z

• Zoologist By understanding the structures, characteristics, functions, ecology and environment of animals we can increase knowledge and develop practical applications in wildlife management and conservation.

A

• Animator
  Bring 2D and 3D characters and objects to life for film, TV and games.

B

• Biotechnologist
  Create and improve products and processes within agriculture, medicine and conservation using biological organisms.

C

• Communications engineer
  Communications engineers design and manage complex hardware and software, such as mobile, Internet and broadcast networks. They are in high demand in industries like defence, mobile networks, satellite communications and infrastructure systems.


• Computational scientist
  Solve complex, multifaceted problems across industries: environmental, financial, mining, manufacturing, health and defence.


• Computer systems engineer
  Design and develop computers to control devices, equipment and processes, including robots, automated infrastructure, and autonomous devices.


• Computer programmer
  Build software solutions, design and implement websites, or work on highly complex programming solutions for industry and government.


• Cyber intelligence expert
  Investigate, develop and deliver secure and robust systems and devices to protect information and privacy.

D

• Data scientist
  Extract meaning from and interpret data, which requires tools and methods from statistics and machine learning, as well as being human.


• Digital marketer
  Advertising technology continues evolving each year. Digital marketers are now able to personalise content and serve relevant advertising to customers and audiences via big data platforms.

I

• IT manager
  Undertake business problem analysis to inform application design, development and implementation.

N

• Nanotechnologist
  Apply scientific and engineering principles and practices to develop new materials on the nanoscale.


• Network engineer
  Work with universal computer systems to ensure efficient design and maintenance of computer networks.

O

• Online commerce specialist
  Maximise commerce in digital and social environments.

P

• Plant biotechnologist
  Carry out innovative plant research and development aimed at producing superior crop varieties.

R

• Robotics engineer
  Design, construct, operate and apply complex mechatronic and robotic systems, or automated machines, that can take the place of humans in performing tasks.

S

• Satellite engineer
  Design new satellite technology or lead in the areas of control, communications and radio communications.


• Software engineer
  Design and maintain high quality software and large computer programs.


• Systems analyst
  Design computer information systems, modify and optimise systems and advise on ways to expand existing systems.

T

• Telecommunications engineer
  Engineer new communication systems from mobile phone networks to satellite communications systems.

W

• Web designer
  Design efficient and user-friendly web applications.