Careers with STEM: Science 2019

TERM 1, 2019

CAREERSwithSTEM

SCIENCE Careerapedia: the A-Z of science jobs p6 Job-ready skills: your employability checklist is inside p10 How this ecotoxicologist protects aquatic species p16

BIG CAREER POTENTIAL CAREERSWITHSTEM.COM

>DESIGN< >SPACE SCIENCE< >SOCIETY< >WATERWORLDS< >ENERGY< >TEAMWORK<

YOU TO THE POWER OF us CAN MAKE SURFERS INVISIBLE

CRICOS Provider 00002J

Learn more about our shark deterrent research at mq.edu.au

>FOREWORD<

turbo charge your career

g all the time. Here’s New job areas are emergin path to future careers ur yo ck tra stfa n ca ce how scien

ironments where curious minds work in env ground for these ngenuity emerges when of STEM provides fertile rld wo the d An . ive thr matics have and will new ideas can gy, engineering and mathe olo hn tec e, enc Sci w. gro ideas to of the world around us or er improve every element eith to d use be to ue tin con . hnologies and processes ms of create beneficial new tec ion, to developing new for lut pol s stic pla and nge cha ate are clim lls From tackling techniques, STEM ski advanced manufacturing artificial intelligence and ss. are taking that a essential to human progre moted STEM and now we pro ly ive act ays alw e ip with Australian and At ANSTO we hav ate Institute, in partnersh du Gra a ing ish abl est step further by rs. will global university partne O Innovation Precinct and a component of the ANST is te ir titu the Ins to ate rge du cha Gra boe Th ts with a tur ghtest postgraduate studen provide the best and bri . bal centre of excellence, professional development positioned to become a glo is te titu and Ins ate du Gra ANSTO’s in France. It will develop NT Innovation Campus GIA e ssiv pre . im ers ine the eng like much ar scientists and tion of Australian nucle p-start nurture the next genera ented opportunity to jum ced pre un an e hav l wil te titu Ins t the Members of e of Australia’s curren under the guidance of som e their career by working tners. They will also hav par chers, and industry ear res and ists ent al sci ion g leadin ANSTO’s nat elerator techniques using access to nuclear and acc purpose reactor and ltimu AL OP the including landmark infrastructure, on. the Australian Synchrotr lied research and will connect academic, app te titu Ins ate du Gra e Th and first-hand rld wo l rea e y that will provid industry sectors in a wa opening doors where as working scientists — experiences to students practical skills. oretical knowledge and participants can gain the e. There are endless tim are emerging all the EM ST hin wit ds fiel w Ne can offer you. ities that a career in STEM possibilities and opportun world by pursuing rk on the future and the So why not make your ma a career in STEM?

From tackling climate change... to developing new form of Ai, stem skills s are essential to human progress”

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em.com >> O rder copies from $1.95 >> Access free teac he r notes & Posters >> Find STudy paths, quizzes + more

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ANS TO / SHU TTER STOC K

careers with stem?

ecutive Officer, ANSTO Adi Paterson, Chief Ex

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students he Careers with STEM magazines help year, we Each discover the careers of the future.

STEM the of each s deliver four magazines acros Science disciplines, plus special editions, like Data of 75% While rity. rsecu Cybe and , on this issue 16% of just , skills STEM re requi will jobs e futur STEM high-school graduates are enrolling in rs that caree the of Many degrees in Australia. areas. other with skills STEM ine comb emerge will new = n We call it STEM + X. Like Science + Desig = ty Socie + ce sustainable products, and Scien + X career safer, faster travel. To find your STEM EM.com ithST ersw Care visit more + pathway

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SCIENCE

>UPFRONT<

Careerapedia: s b o j M E T S f o the A-Z olest science gists, we hunt down the co olo zo to sts ici ys ph tro as From coat pe, they don’t require a lab no d An . se er -v job e th in les ro

ophysictoist is for asphytr sics and chemistry

Gis for geoscientist

A

These folk use ce. the test ir theories about spa rld to present at wo Perk alert: Travelling the the gig ! of t par conferences becomes

Geoscientists study the Earth’s history and are often hired to hunt down gems, oils and other hidden resources.

Study up: Employees look favourably on honours degrees in science, engineering, maths and statistics. Check out the government-run Geoscience Australia Graduate Program, too.

ogist otechnol is for biund ists log hno tec , bio

B

Generally lab-bo modifying things like living on rk wo products organisms to develop new s. and improved system gorani, Career crush: Kastoori Hin g on rkin wo is U, AN with a PhD from s the nes har nts pla y wa recreating the potentially Sun’s energy, which would replace fossil fuels!

His for hydro metallurgist

Into chemistry? Why not manipulate metals and figure out how to turn them into higher value products.

Salary spill: Mettallurgist salaries can get up to $158,000.

Dr Kastoori Hingorani

rvationist is for coincnludse e, managing

C

Daily to-do lists g new ways to protect natural habitats, introducin farmers on land-based environments and advising trol. issues such as erosion con y, rees in conservation biolog Study up : Look out for deg . nce scie ent and biomedical natural resource managem

ieticiand the relationship is for dpeo ple understan

D

Dieticians help d, providing nutritional en betwe their health and foo concerns. nal advice to those with nutritio e. rag ave on 0 Salary spill: $60,00

ist is for ecol, og log eco ists are also

E

Like conservationists ecosystems, balancing the cer con ned with preserving ironmental priorities. needs of landowners and env on-the-job training now by Perk alert: You can start eco not-for-profit. volunteering for your local

F SHUTTERSTOCK

is for food ist technoltheog standards for the production

Setting and improving And the non-glamourous of food is all in a day’s job. ration – yep, smelly. part? Studying food deterio ! As a technologist at food Career crush: Laura Welch n, she develops flavours and and beverage company Lio runs new product trials.

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

Iis for immunologist

These specialist physicians manage the treatment of patients with diseases compromising the immunise system.

Perk alert: Due to an increase in the prevalence of allergies, there’s currently a shortage of immunologists in Australia and New Zealand, which means job opportunities galore.

Jis for journalist

Specialised writing for mags, newspapers and online.

Career crush: Alice Klein! As the Australasian correspondent for New Scientist, climbing a dormant volcano – and writing about it – is all in a day’s work.

Alice Klein

for kindergarten Kisscience teacher

Kindergarten teachers introduce STEM concepts to the next gen of talented scientists. Warning: experiments can get, er, seriously messy.

Study up: A teaching degree is a must, choose science-related electives.

L

is for lab technician

Technicians head up the maintenance of lab tools and equipment, capture and sort data and ensure efficiency and accuracy.

Salary spill: Up to $78,000 a year, depending on the field.

M

is for marine biologist

From blue whales to plankton, marine biologists study all things underwater. Bonus: you get to wear a wetsuit to the office!

Perk alert: Each day is different! You could be diving to collect data one morning and buried under research the next. See p14 for more.

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T

is for telecomm technician unications These pee

ps help telcos to instal, cre ate, repair and monitor their networks.

Salary spill: Advertised gig s can go up to $83,000.

due to an increase in the prevalence of allergies, there’s a shortage of immunologists in oz and nz

for Nisneonatologist

These hospital-based specialists deal primarily with sick or preterm babies.

Career crush: Dr Adrienne Gordon! With a medical and public health degree in the bag, she’s currently leading the BABY1000 project – a ground-breaking developmental study of a baby’s first 1000 days.

for Oisoceanographer

for urban Uisstatistician

Oceanographers use biology, chemistry, geology and physics to conserve, manage, harvest and protect our oceans.

Study up: A degree in marine science is usually a minimum requirement.

Statisticians live for data. They play with numbers and stats to aid decision making in science, technology, medicine and government fields.

Perk alert: You’re basically solving problems all day.

for Pisphysiologist

With detailed knowledge of the human body, physiologists spend their time treating serious medical conditions through targeted exercise programs.

Salary spill: It depends on whether you work in a practice, gym or hospital, but you can expect around $65,000.

Vis for volcanologist

Apart from frothing over volc anoes, these specialised geoscientists study their form ation and activity to help predict future eruptions.

Career crush: Macquarie University’s associate profes sor in volcanology and geoche mistry, Heather Handley!

She’s smashed a Bachelor of Science in geology, com pleted a PhD on the geochemistry of Indonesian volcanoes and now takes on eruption prediction projects.

Heather Handley

Q

is for quantum physicist

Quantum physicists manipulate atoms, electrons and photons to stretch the boundaries of physics.

Perk alert: Studying forces that shape the world? Sign. Us. Up.

Wfois refocar wsteaerther Using specialised scientific techniques to understand what’s up with the weather, is all in a day’s work.

Study up : Look out for app lied science and engineering degrees.

R

is for roboticist

Fluent in computer science and human-computer interaction design, roboticists conceptualise, build and program robotic systems, contributing to a variety of industries.

Career crush: Associate professor, Denny Oetomo! The deputy head of Monash University’s engineering department has devoted his career to developing medical robots that assist clinical professionals in providing better patient care.

Xis for X-ray expert

Medical imaging profession als operate X-ray and imaging equipment to diagnose, monitor and trea t patients.

Salary spill: Average pay is around $86,000 mark.

ll US is for yoreuanyte letter Y? STEM jobs that start with the

Y is for zoologist Z

S

is for solar scientist

Seriously, are the We’re stumped! @refractionmedia.com.au. ogi Yuckol st? School us at info

Solar scientists advise companies, corporates and governments on cutting-edge systems.

Study up: Start with a Bachelor of Science; you can specialise from there.

development, behaviours and These guys study the origin, cies. habitats of different living spe Cassie Steel animals for co-workers! – Perk alert: Um, they have

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SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+TEAMWORK< Renee Cawthorne, Education Lead / STREAMS Chair

All togethers ofnthoe pawst, the

innovator Inspired by Indigenous B imagines a future where team behind INDIGI LA rait Islander Australians St Aboriginal and Torresfront of tech innovation re fo e th are at

SKILLS: Translating culture to modern edancient LOVES: Providing oppo ucation for disadvantaged strtunities udents

Luke Briscoe, CEO SKILLS: Innovating an LOVES: Meeting peopled creating that are passionate about change Masters of Digital Communication and Culture, University of Sydney

Are you a leader quiz. bit.ly/CwSLeaderQuiz

Digital Media Producer, National Indigenous Television (NITV)

CEO and Culture Lead, INDIGI LAB

gy Djuro Sen, Technolo Lead / STREAMS Chair

AYS TOP 5 WD AN TO BUILE TEAM AWESOM

gement and po SKILLS: Project mana positive for the community ing th me LOVES: Doing so

Policy and Research Officer, Australian Human Rights Commission

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

Manager, PwC Indigenous Consulting

y n a u n ic tio 2. Com m 3. Tr ust s you r role 4. Defi ne leader 5. P ick a it 1. Divers

Policy Lead, INDIGI LAB

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Sports reporter, Channel 7

ity voice for the commun ch te SKILLS: Being a strong st te la e -date with th LOVES: Staying up-to

Lead Amber Roberts, Policy licy LAUREN TROMPP

Technology Lead, INDIGI LAB

I

Bachelor of Science in Biology, Macquarie University Education Project Education Lead, Officer, the INDIGI LAB Australian Museum

Technology Editor, Channel 7

ut ing the way we think abo IGI LA B is all about refram s IND p nou ige rtu sta Ind in EM ST gap e ous ndigen there was a massiv science. “I rea lised that t inspire tha ries sto tell to B LA Aboriginal culture and d INDIGI and technology, so I create INDIGI LAB. participation in science scoe, founder and CEO of Bri e Luk s say ” sts, nti scie as es on the $50 note), elv n ms ma the (the see on to kids inventor David Unaip s nou ige Ind y h can tur cen h students how ancient tec Inf luenced by 20t Drone program, teaching the to g er we eth ran tog me but Boo e, the iqu d Luke create ngs something un s. “Each team member bri ckwell tion Bro a ova Eliz inn – n .” der ago rs mo e yea pir of ins thousands t like our old people did make up a whole team jus

The world needs scientists.

QUT Science CRICOS No. 00213J

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SCIENCE

>PATHWAYS<

Job-ready skills...

A … what you really need to nail to work in STEM

SHUTTERSTOCK / * THE 10 SKILLS YOU NEED TO THRIVE IN THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, ALEX GRAY, WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, JANUARY, 2016 ** STEM SKILLS IN THE WORKFORCE: WHAT DO EMPLOYERS WANT? ROBYN PRINSLEY AND KRISZTIAN BARANYAI, OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES, AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SCIENTIST, MARCH 2015

talent for science is an obv ious choice when it com es to working in a STEM technolog y, eng ineering (science, and maths) field, but did you know, according to Economic For um*, hum a recent World an-based ski lls – such as critica l thinking, creativ ma nagement – have rea ity and people ched top-10 status when it comes to scoring a coo If you’ve wondered what l career. it even means to be par t of the science scene, rea to the experts and paid d on. We talked attention when the big gun s sha red their smarts! – Pippa Duffy

Employability checklist

s

xe How many STEM skills bo can you tick RN?

ELECTRICIT Y, GAS, WATER AND WA STE EDUCAT ION AND TRA INING

( ) Problem solving ( ) Creativity ( ) Critical thinking / (testing your theory ht rig e asking th questions) ive ( ) Investigative dr ted ( ) Statistics orienta

TOP 3!

Need even more inspo as to why becoming an expert in STEM-orientated skills is a brilliant career move? You’re not just limited to working in a lab.

Oh-no. The top three industries for STEM employment are:

( ) Decision making riosity ( ) Intellectual cu ( ) Flexibility ( ) Argumentation – supporting your claim focus ( ) Entrepreneurial ( ) Tech knowledge

Mining: Think companies like BHP Billiton, Santos and Shell, and start polishing your resume stat!

#1 MINING

( ) Researching

Education and training: It’s the job that keeps on giving.

Pass on your love and knowledge for the STEM world by teaching the next wave of grads (and get paid handsomely to do it!).

#2

Electricity, gas, water and waste: Yep, the services are all over the STEM employment movement.

Go on, make a difference.

#3

What are STEM skills exactly?

“Most people who work in STEM are practical and think logically about problem solving. People in STEM are incredibly diverse, but we all tend to have that logical thought process running throughout.”

Marlee Hutton, Marine Scientist, Bardi Jawi woman from the Kimberley region in Western Australia, Research technician with CSIRO’s Coastal Ecosystems team.

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

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Breaking good

Dr Alice Williamson is not your average chemistry lecturer.

She’s leading high school students to break new ground in drug discovery (the helpful kind!) while spreading the good word on science

MCHEM in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Leeds

Doctor of Philosoph y Organic Chemist PhD, University of Cambry, ridge

@all_isee

carry this parasite, but in people with HIV /AIDS it can be really dangerous ,” says Alice.

You might remember when American businessman Martin Shkreli bought the rights to produce Daraprim through his company Turing Pharmaceuticals in 2015, and hiked the price from $13.50 to $750 per pill overnight.

“We thought, let’s show tha t you can make this medicine ver y cheaply and that high school students can be the ones to do it,” Alice says.

Alice hopes to inspire more than just her classroom full of students.

She’s bringing science to the masses by per forming chem talks at Splendour in the Gra ss music TU NE IN TO DR AL ICE: festival, hosting a weekly • In Syd ney: FBi rad science spot io (94.5F M) on FBi radio and recording Tuesdays at 8:15am to hea r Alice’s many an weekly science spot, awesome podcast.

‘Up and Atom’ (fbiradio.com/podcas t/up-and-atom/).

“I want everyone, whether they’re • Or sea rch: ‘Dear Sci scientists or artists or mu ence’ sicians, to feel like or ‘Up and Atom’ on you r science belongs to them, tha podcasts app. t they can connect with it in some way,” she say s. – Eliza Brockwell

@DrAliceWilliamson

D

r Alice Williamson, with her PhD and chemistry lecturing gig at the University of Sydney, is on a mission to make science something that everyone can enjoy.

Alice began her studies in the UK, emigrating to Australia as a postdoctoral researcher at the Open Source Malaria consortium.

It’s here that Alice started Breaking Good, the extra-curricular project for high schoolers and undergrads from around the world that breaks new ground in chemistry.

“It shows the students that they have great skills. They’re not just following a recipe, they’re creating something new and they feel the thrill of being part of a research team,” Alice says.

The program received a lot of publicity when Alice led a team of students to recreate the drug ‘Daraprim’, originally developed for treatment of malaria, but more commonly used for treatment of toxoplasmosis. “Toxoplasmosis is largely innocuous – almost one-third of the population

Lecturer in CHEMIST University of SydneRY, y

Stem Skills Snapshot See what’s very important by the numbers, according to industry experts

Pay packs in science / Fastest growing salaries Materials /Metallurgy (the study of metallic compounds and extracting metals. AKA big biz in mining!):

$158K

Vet science:

$151K

3.3%

%1.8%

Food science and tech :

$125K Physics:

$150K Chemistry :

$133K

3.1% 2.6% 2.6%

70%

Active learning (ie, learning on the job) VERY MPORTANT

% 3 2 stem ana lysis

Sy and eva luation VERY MPORTANT

22%

Programming VERY MPORTANT

58%

Complex problem solving & critical thinking VERY MPORTANT

Research by the Australian Government’s Office of the Chief Scientist* * has found that employers are all over the need for STEM-skilled people (lik e you !) in their workplaces. Here’s why...

• Design thinking is a prio rity for bosses in information technology, media and telco sectors

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• Jobs in finance, insuran ce, construction, health and soc ial industries rate STEM qualific ations higher than non-STEM bac kgrounds • Learning on the job, und erstanding business and creative pro blem solving are key for Aussie employers • Businesses say STEM-q ualified staff are the most innovative

SCIENCE

>PATHWAYS<

JOB JUGGLE

EM skills have led Meet two scientists whose ST unexpected) career paths them down some cool (and

Chemist to consultant

researcher om organic chemistry ed back fr d he itc sw Gin ma Em tant and hasn’t look to technology consul develops global firm Accenture, Emma s a technology consultant for digital or ugh thro g goin ies for businesses change-management strateg have can you l skil one ber m solving is the num technology change. “Proble degree,” she says. d-in-hand with a research as a consultant. It goes han now draws on the s degree in chemistry and Emma completed an Honour nication skills needed in science – from the commu STEM skills she developed a from experiments. to analytics and deriving dat to write her Honours thesis, science to consulting, ut making the change from Originally apprehensive abo n isio she’s made. “Don’t eer switch as the best dec Emma now credits her car training for nothing. or lot of time in your studies feel like you’ve invested a Fedunik issa Lar the time, go for it!” – People change careers all

DANIEL SOMMER PHOTOGRAPHY / SHUTTERSTOCK

A

(Hons) Bachelor of Scien)ce & Diploma (Organic Chemistryng ge, in Japanese La ua rbury University of Cante

Researcher & Labor atory Demonstr ator, ANU

Summer Research Scholar, Chemistry, ANU

Technology Consultant, Accenture

Geologist to edu-tech guru

science spider-man, As (At UNSW) and app de sociate Professor ve kasumovic loves all loper, michael of his careers

W

LAUREN TROMPP

hen Michael enrolled in a scie nce degree back home in Canada because he wanted to become a dentist, he also – by chance – decided to tak e an elective course in anim al behaviour. “It completely cha nged my perspective,” say s Michael.

Michael went on to complet e a PhD in evolutionary biol ogy.

As part of his fieldwork, he studied redback spiders in Australia, forcing him to get over his arachnophobia pretty quic kly!

Several years ago, Michae l developed a smartphone app using augmented reality games to better engage his classes.

Som e of the first prototypes saw studen ts completely immersing the mselves in the animal world by mimicki ng the behaviour of spiders .

The app evolved into the Arlu do startup, which now incl udes a diverse team of programm ers, user experience designe rs, games developers and communica tion gurus. Michael says the biggest challenge as a scientist lear ning to be an app entrepren eur has been developing new skills and stepping out of his com fort zone.

Michael suggests volunteerin g some time with PhD studen ts, researchers, or a company to find what you like. “Chanc e opportunities are often the greatest kind.” – Larissa Fed unik

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences), McMaster University, Ontario, Canada Postdoctoral Researcher, UNSW

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

Master of Science (Biological Sciences), Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada Associate Professor & ARC Future Fellow in Evolutionary Biology, UNSW

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PhD (Evolution), University of Toronto Founder, Arludo

>SCIENCE+ASIO<

Build a smart career in security

reers tting-edge security ca cu r fo ed lu va e ar s Science degree

work in some surprising cience study can lead to stralian Security Au places. Alex joined the IO) after majoring in (AS ion sat Intelligence Organi h school I had a passion physics at uni. “All throug study physics and to for science. This led me years in high school and ior sen my mathematics in joring a Bachelor of Science (ma from there to undertake x. in physics) at uni,” says Ale ure Technolog ists Fut IO AS the ed Alex join d s wa immediately expose Graduate Program and al ion nat a projects, wit hin to a variety of work and a dat to ng eri ine eng from security env ironment – chine current and emerging ma analysis and working on ies. log hno elligence tec learning and Artificial Int program commences in red ctu stru ar -ye one The r and involves a range of yea h eac of February and June r, and port of a technical mento placements, with the sup ities. tun por op ent pm elo dev and via continuous learning

FOTOLIA

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the ltiple work areas I have had “In rotating through mu and s ert exp tter ma subject opportunity to learn from “The and interests,” says Alex. lls ski n ow my red the fur I’ve and ing also reward work is challenging but it’s out of my depth. The or ed elm rwh ove never felt n really supportive from bee has environment at ASIO ra. with my move to Canber day one – they even helped by sed pri sur s wa I but , ect “I didn’t know what to exp d y everyone is. I’ve forme how inclusive and friendl ng stro ped elo dev and duates friendships with other gra . ion sat ani org the hin working relationships wit I have heard from people “Over this graduate year ful careers. Having the about their long and colour ld to help others and also bui m, the chance to work with ole wh The . ing lly reward a meaningful career is rea ssive step for me and I’m ma a n bee has nce erie exp really glad that I took it.”

To get there: bit.ly/ASIOCareers

ASIO Future Technologists Graduate Program More than you expected…

asio.gov.au/careers 13

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+ENVIRONMENT<

Water worlds

our Science is critical to keeping

rivers and oceans healthy

ough our the water that cycles thr ife on ear th depends on oceans. and es lak , ers riv h oug thr atmosphere and soi l, and . But it’s not lthy hea s tem our water ecosys Scientists work to keep thi s in s field expect – and the career always in ways that you . ngly creative possibilities ces can include some amazi e of Tasmania’s wild pla lov p dee a has d for Bam a, nn abu Ceramic artist Jane Tri at idays er spending chi ldhood hol to t jec pro and creatures wit hin, aft IRO CS a of was thrilled to be par t nor th-east of Hobar t. She l fish that ‘wa lks’ tted handfish, an unusua spo e rar help recovery of the ’s River Derwent. is found only in Tasma nia on its pectoral fins and ny great people, ma h t of this work wit “I’m so for tunate to be par says. e Jan ,” tion inc cies from ext hoping to secure this spe

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START YOUR CAREER HERE

SCIence+WATER WOR LDS STUDY University of We

stern Austra Marine Science: bit.ly/U lia – Bachelor of WABachMarineSci Macquarie University – Bachelor of Marine Science: bit.ly/MQBach MarineSci Australian National Un iversity – Bachelor of Science (Water Scienc e): bit.ly/ANUBachSciWa ter

SCIence+WATER WOR LDS JOBS Marine biologist: $35K– $102K Hydrologist: $45K– $12 0K Environmental scientist: $50K– $96K* *Source: salaries accord ing to payscale.com

Art assist

The fish prefer to breed by lay ing eggs around a sta lked ascidia n (sea squirt) – a species decimated by inv asive sea sta rs, according to CS IRO scientist Dr Tim Lyn ch.

That’s where Jane comes in. She’s created 3000 tin y ascidia n sta lk replicas fro m kiln-fired pure white clay, carefu lly handcrafted to imitate the spawning hab itat of handfish. Jane’s pieces are made so that they’re eas y for divers to ‘pla nt’ in the dar k depths of the River De rwent.

“I see this project as com ing from a ‘desig n and ma ke’ perspective, col laboratin g and meeting the needs of the scientist, divers and the spotted handfish,” she say s.

The good news? Wi ld spa wning has already sta rte d to occur on the ceramic hab itats that have been pla ced. “It looks like the spotted han dfish approve!” she say s.

Jane was awarded a thr ee-month art/science residency at the Universit y of Tasma nia, one of a range of art/sc ience col laborative programs in Austra lia.

Jane Bamford, creates ceramics for the sea

ART/SCIENCE COLL ABS TO CHEC K

JANEBAMFORD.COM. CHARLES CHADWICK / CSIRO / SHUTTERSTOCK

Marine expert

e taps into her rlee Hutton, ma rine scienc For CSIRO researcher Ma Kimberley Coast, the m a Bardi Jaw i woma n fro as e itag her s nou ige Ind rock pools and fish. where she loved to explore iversit y in Per th deg ree from Murdoch Un Her Bachelor of Science science. While al ent nm in ma rine and env iro includes a double major eans and Atmospheres was par t of CSIRO’s Oc interning in a team that aerial sur veys. to track dugongs using Flagship, Ma rlee helped ping researchers hel in e e been invaluabl Indigenous rangers hav wledge to track ial sur veys wit h local kno combine science and aer to continue working es rlee points out. She hop Ma s, tion ula pop ong dug ring knowledge igenous communities, sha in a liaison role wit h Ind m thrive. about science to help the about their ch valuable information mu so “Local people hold tinue working con to e abl be to like “I’d rea lly env ironment,” she says. r groups.” – Fra n Molloy wit h Indigenous Ra nge Read on… Which area of science should you study? bit.ly/CWSBachScienceQuiz

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

OUT:

Queen sla nd Gover nm ent Ar tist In Residence Scienc e Progra m bit.ly/QLDGovtA rti st Theme Polar Ar ts Pro gra m bit.ly/ThemePolarAr ts

Marlee Hutton (second from left), with a team of budding scientists from the Broome Senior High School Bushrangers

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>SCIENCE+QUT<

Science called: ool rocks are c With state-of-the-art facilities on hand, why wouldn’t you suss the science on geology at QUT? head. The geologist has at Giosef fi has rocks in her iosity about how the world cur always had an ‘insatiable’ never waned – even when works, so the lure of science directions. life pulled her in different is) the GFC (global financial cris “When I graduated from uni e am bec ved to London and hit,” Kat explains. “So I mo shake my calling.” ’t ldn cou I a travel agent, but g her Bachelor of Applied Fond memories of studyin ecology) at QU T meant it Science (biotechnology and back there when she was an easy choice to go ning. decided she wasn’t done lear Science (Earth of or Kat enrolled in a Bachel le-degree science sing five science ), one of QU T’s in cinated by what’s involved majors, because she’s fas th.

Ear the in ing resources transporting and concentrat

K

student-run organisations can connect you with industry” Kat gioseffi

Dial it up

Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology/ Ecology), QUT

Bachelor of Science (Earth Science), QUT

Go further

When Kat decided she wan ted to pursue a Master of Applied Science to “get ahead of the pack” in a competitive job market, she knew QU T was the plac e to do it.

“QUT has state-of-the-art laboratories, lecturers from around the globe with all sor ts of experience, opportunity for vac ation work, exchange programs and student-run organisat ions who run events and can connec t you with industry,” Kat say s.

With her Master’s comple te, Kat has secured a gradua te position as an operations geologist with natural gas company, Santos. But before she sta rts, she’s in SA for a three-w eek NExUS (National Exploration Undercover School ) course to further develop her minera l exploration knowledge und er the tutelage of world-class experts in the field.

The course offers no form al assessment, but it’s em blematic of Kat’s key advice for scie nce students. “Take advant age of every opportunity,” she say s. “Don’t let the thought of not having experience in someth ing hold you back.” – Jake Dean

Masters in Applied Science, QUT

SHUTTERSTOCK

resources tely dependent on energy “Modern society is comple ut ve your smartphone? Abo and minerals,” she says. “Lo g stin every one. Want long-la 15 grams of copper goes into n Eve . um . Drive a car ? Petrole bat teries? You need lithium and are dependent on metals ces our renewable energy res ed.” need to be min rare Ear th elements, which r one, tures common units in yea fea ree deg QU T’s science – jors ma er oth the lore to exp providing Kat the opportunity and nce scie l nta me iron try, env biological sciences, chemis her specialisation. on g idin dec ore bef – physics g ctical and theoretical learnin pra “There’s a great mix of m,” Kat says. in the Ear th science progra and doors – learning from rocks out the “Geology’s about travelled ’ve We r. este rs trips every sem landscapes – and QUT offe of st coa rn the sou the land coast, the north and south Queens ia.” tral Aus th Sou in ges Ran Flinders New South Wales and the le whi knit family” that develops Kat also credits the “closewas “I s. ree, as a key to her succes progressing through the deg ts,” den stu h the lecturers were wit blown away by how involved ses, clas of side made time, even out she explains. “They always t.” ntis scie a as you and help develop to answer your questions

Graduate Operations Geologist, Santos

To get there: bit.ly/QUTBachSciFaculty 15

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+ENVIRONMENT<

S U C O F N I S R O O D OUT

ce and technology. ien sc ar cle nu t ou ab ow kn u Forget what you think yo ge and undertake other an ch ate m cli of ts fec ef the ANSTO is helping to record red by the science that we po all , ch ar se re tal en m groundbreaking environ The result? Awe-inspiring . ale sc e ibl ss po t es all sm explores the world at the

Testing the waters king Tom Cresswell is ma stigating ve in by ct real-world impa ion on local the effects of pollut using nuclear aquatic ecosystems science techniques

T

om Cresswell had a lightbulb moment while snorkelling with manatees (dugongs) in Florida at the ripe old age of 13. “I thought, yep. This is exactly what I want to do,” says Tom. Tom studied a Bachelor of Science in ocean science at the University of Plymouth, and later a Master’s degree and PhD… but chose to take the scenic route to study. Five years between degrees was spent exploring the world and doing jobs that had “nothing to do with science”.

“Too often we rush young people to go to uni and they end up doing things they’re not interested in,” he says. “All those years travelling reinforced the fact that science is my passion.”

As a research scientist at ANSTO, Tom is investigating the effects of coal and gold mining run-off on the local ecosystems and animals, like yabbies for example. He tracks the amount of pollution absorbed by the yabbies through food and water, and how quickly the pollution is later released, when the yabbies are placed in clean water.

“We can do this using live-animal radioanalysis,” says Tom. That’s one of the great things about nuclear science; the yabbies don’t have to be sacrificed for testing and can be analysed multiple times for more accurate data.

Tom’s research is helping to protect precious local ecosystems from the consequences of human pollution. “My number one driver is to make a difference,” says Tom. “I’m not single-handedly saving the world, but I’m taking incremental, realistic steps to affect change.”

Bachelor of Science (Hons 1) in Ocean Science, University of Plymouth

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

Master of Science in Applied Marine Science, University of Plymouth

PhD in Applied Sciences, RMIT University and CSIRO Land and Water

16

Research Scientist, Radioecology and Ecotoxicology, ANSTO

>SCIENCE+ANSTO<

Salted earthing its

Sea sponge

to Did you know that according absorbs an oce the s, ing find TO ANS ed over 40% of human-produc rt sta ’t carbon emissions? Don y terl wes ng celebrating yet. Stro our of te sta the winds are altering h oceans, bringing carbon-ric ting limi and e fac sur the waters to the from ed orb abs t oun the am chers atmosphere. ANSTO resear iment sed are analysing sea-spray er wild of cts to determine the effe s ade dec of iod winds. “Over a per in es eas incr her to millennia, furt faster wind strength will lead to ide in diox bon car of tion accumula styna Kry Dr s say e,” her osp our atm ntal me Saunders, a senior environ TO. research scientist at ANS

system (includ Rot tnest Island’s entire eco ulation ) relies on the world-famous quokka pop lenish streams for island’s groundwater to rep nts. ANSTO’s scientists drinking and to nourish pla water is becoming have discovered the ground falls and more water rain increasingly salt y as less peratures. Increased evaporates due to rising tem s to the microorganisms salinity could mean change have a snowball effect living in the soil, which will animals that live there. on the types of plants and

Unearthing the past

Slow growers Just like the rings that ind icate the age of a tree, you can figure out the age of mosses and historic growth conditions using radiocarbon measurem ents.

Scientists at ANSTO have discovered that moss growing in the East Antarctic has experienced its own side-eff ect of the ozone hole in the atmospher e. It has introduced higher wind spe eds, which pick up water from melted sno w that would otherwise trickle down to give the moss a drink. Don’t forget, it doe sn’t rain in Antarctica, so icy run-of f is the mosses’ only source of water.

W

hen instrument scientist Pat ricia Gadd looks into the contents of a sediment cor e, it’s like looking back in time. Patricia, along with other researchers at ANSTO and around the world, takes dee p slices of lake sediment by dredging up the layers of soil , sand and rock and uses them to tell us things about the past.

These cross sections of ear th are placed into ANSTO’ s Itra x core scanner, which hums away, using an X-ray radiograph to track differe nces in density, the compos ition of elements (eg, if there’s a high concentration of calc ium or silicon) , and the magne tic proper ties of the soil.

“By studying these sedime nts, we can infer things like precipitation rates, ecolog ical changes and types of vegetation, as well as polluti on events that might have taken place. If we’re to und erstand the environment we live in and what we might face in the future, we nee d to understand how we got here in the first place.”

From looking at the past, to shaping the future, Patrici a has a passion for igniting STEM (science, technolog y, engineering and maths ) inte rest in young women.

Taking on the role of mento r, she recently had six Year 10 girls visit her lab to investigate sediment cores for themselves and see what a career in STEM might be like .

“A career in STEM will gua rantee that you will never be bored,” says Patricia. “ST EM careers equip you with skills that instil curiosity. You ’ll continue to look for answers and solve real pro blems, whether they be big or small, for the rest of you r life.” – Eliza Brockwell

Up in the air

To get there: bit.ly/ANSTO2019 17

LAUR EN TRO MPP

When radioactive elements like uranium in the Earth break down, radon is produced.

It’s a colourless, odourless gas that decays quickly, so finding radon in the air is a good indicator the air has recently been in contact with land. Using the world’s best radon detectors (built and installed by ANSTO), Antarctic researchers are getting an idea of how air and pollution circulate globally. The verdict? Most of Antarctica’s air pollution comes from countries in the Southern Hemisphere, and air that has been out of contact with land the longest is the cleanest air you can find.

Patricia Gadd, ins scientist at ANSTO istrument an sediment cores with alysing science to map climat nuclear e changes over tens or hundreds thousands of years of

Bachelor of Applied Chemistry, University of Technology Sydne y

Analytical Chemist, ANSTO

Instrument Scientist, ANSTO

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+ENVIRONMENT<

#1

Reef rescue

Super shield Fact: coral can get sunburnt. Yep! An ultra-thin ‘Sun shield’ on the surface of the water could reduce sunlight and prevent coral bleaching. The ‘Sun shield’ is 50,000 times thinner than human hair, and was designed by the same scientists who made Australia’s polymer bank notes.

ng reduce Cool science ideas are helpi tural asset the heat on our greatest na

f runs for more ustralia’s Great Barrier Ree rn Queensland’s than 2000km along nor the largest living organism coastline. Oh, and it’s the bleaching from warmer on Ear th. However, mass els algae living in its waters – when the coral exp g with ocean alon – tissue and turns white species are sive inva acidity, pollution and 2016 alone, In re. futu f’s ree threatening the died as a result of one-third of shallow corals mass bleaching. onto it. Researchers Thankfully, scientists are ARC Centre of the from organisations such as (Coral CoE ), dies Stu f Excellence for Coral Ree Institute ian tral Aus ’s James Cook University rier Reef Bar at Gre the and of Marine Science e remediation Marine Park Authority all hav tect the reef and pro help to ay erw programs und a few of them... keep it healthy. Here are just

A

#2 The terminator RangerBot Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) – created by QUT and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, along with the support of the Google Impact Challenge – uses artificial intelligence technology to protect the reef. From hunting down the deadly crown-of-thorns starfish, gathering helpful data and distributing fertilised coral larvae to promote growth, AUV has this landmark covered.

#3 Sun(screen) safe For every 10,000 summer beachgoers, there’s roughly 4kgs of sunscreen chemicals washing into the waves. These minerals react to produce hydrogen peroxide which bleaches our coral. The solution? Safe sunscreen made from blue-green algae. Slap it on!

#7

SHUTTERSTOCK / RAW GLAMOUR / STORY BY: CARMEN SPEARS, ELIZA BROCKWELL AND FRAN MOLLOY

Barrier babies The mass release spawning strategy of coral usually results in most coral spawn being swept out to sea. So, Australian Professor Peter Harrison from Southern Cross University has come up with a way to provide a helping hand. The concept: growing millions of coral larvae in the lab first, then securing them to degraded reefs using fine mesh nets to prevent the larvae from drifting away. #winning.

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

#4 Dive in Want to do your part to save the reef?

Join the 6000 visitors who have taken part in the University of Queensland initiative, CoralWatch. This citizen science project aims to help gather info on marine health and flag problem areas within the reef, using a specialist colour chart available to tourists. It’s a massive area, so scientists are super grateful!

#5 Reef rehab Coral doesn’t grow on trees, but the Reef Restoration Foundation is aiming to change that. They’re using underwater ‘trees’ to propagate and harvest coral.

#6 Charity vibes

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Marine science students from James Cook University (left) will be donning their togs for a cheeky swimwear calendar that aims to raise awareness of the threats facing the reef as well as funds for the Great Barrier Reef through the GBR Legacy organisation.

>SCIENCE+DESIGN< START YOUR CAREER HERE

Science+Design Study

n Flinders University, Bachelor of Desig and Technology Innovation: bit.ly/ BachDesignTechInnovationFlinders Bachelor Macquarie University, Bachelor of Arts/ of Science: bit.ly/ MQBachArtsSci elor University of Technology Sydney, Bach of Design in Product Design: bit.ly/ BachDesignProductUTS

Dominik Kopp, brewing solutions with coffee beans

Science+Design Jobs

Product designer: $44K–$102K Industrial designer: $45K–$81K K* Product development scientist: $49K–$88 ding * Source: salaries accor to payscale.com

Designing the future

New technology is adapted to our everyday lives thanks to design smarts and STEM know-how

a Maria PetiteBeat co-founders Ann huber, ka See nzis Fra and t) (lef n lace Nat heard helping heartbeats to be

products, en lead to new and bet ter cientific discoveries oft requires ng livi ay ryd eve to lab m the but ma king the leap fro way one is er ign inking like a des a shift in perspective. Th maths) and ng eri ine eng y, log techno to uti lise STEM (science, . rld l wo ons to problems in the rea ski lls to help find soluti University’s Sunna arie cqu Ma at t den stu Dominik Kopp is a PhD ke better use of researching ways to ma Lab. He is part of a group nes of coffee waste alone produce 3000 ton biowaste. Sydney cafes unds could be gro fee a to see if spent cof a year. So, he had the ide does any thing one any ly ard “H . able plastic used to make biodegrad Dominik says. nt,” and it’s highly abunda wit h that waste resource, t the sugar ver con to how he figured out Using synthetic biolog y, of biodeg radable tic acid, a key component in coffee grounds to lac used to turn be ld minik’s technique cou plastic. In the fut ure, Do ! cups. Clever coffee waste into coffee

S

Design bebe

helped merge the a unit on design thinking For Franziska Seehuber, deg ree wit h what biomedical eng ineering ski lls she lea rned in her sig n and Electronic Master of Interaction De she was lea rning in the red wit h two other tne par s Sydney. She wa Arts at the Universit y of to create a product tlacen and Jessica Watts, students, Anna Ma ria Na tor. sec lth centric care in the hea that addressed humaniteBeat, Pet up e cam m tea earch, the After some thorough res h light oug thr unborn baby’s hea rtbeat nection. a pillow that amplifies an con nal otio em an women can form ma rket. and sound, so pregna nt the eat to a sta rtup to take PetiteB e in Now they have formed abl alu inv n bee STEM background has d oun Fra nziska says that her kgr bac ng eri ine eng y biomedical s. say producing protot ypes. “M she le,” sib the concept was even pos it un s helped me to eva luate if say d fiel any m efit students fro Desig n thinking can ben nk we do ur. “More and more I thi dpo ma Ah m see lecturer Dr Na eer pat hs car e bined ski lls,” she says. “Th need people to have com lker are end less.” – Ch loe Wa

Read more on Careerswith STEM.com.au bit.ly/Creative ApproachestoScienceEd

we do need people to . The have combined skillsdless” career paths are en

19

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+SPACE<

f f o s e k a t e c a p S sky-high career Get the lowdown on getting and design ops in space tech, research

START YOU R CAREER HERE

SCIENCE&S PACE STUD Y

University of of Science (A Southern Queensland, Ba stronomical ch and Space Sc elor bit.ly/ USQBa iences): chSciAstron University of Adelai (Space Scie de, Bachelor of Scienc nce and e bit.ly/ UniAdB Astrophysics): ac hS ci Space RMIT Univer sity, Bachel or of Scienc Science) (Hon e (Geospatia ours): bit.ly/ l RMITBachSc iGeospac

ming. While Austra lia has pace and satellites are boo : h space innovation (think had a long association wit the e vis W, which helped tele ‘The Dish’ in Parkes, NS lian Space Agency (ASA) stra Au the g), first Moon landin July 2018. was only established in the cement of the ASA noted The government’s announ g win gro and ion bill worth $486 global space economy is dum ran mo Me a ned sig ich – wh at 10% a yea r. The agency programs Fra nce to develop their of Understa nding wit h greater win s sse ine bus Austra lian together – aims to help y currently onl bal economy (Austra lia ma rket sha re of this glo re). global ma rket sha accounts for 0.8% of the industry es the size of our space iev bel nt me ern The gov ential to pot ion by 2030, wit h the cou ld be tripled to $12 bill luded inc o als ent cem The announ create 20,000 new jobs. igation nav te elli sat e rov imp to nt a $225 mil lion commitme lia, stra Au th Ear towards Dig ital and GPS, and $37 mil lion y licl pub and dly ien s user-fr a platform that assemble images of Austra lia. te elli sat bal glo ible ess acc

SHUTTERSTOCK

S

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

SCIENCE&S PACE Aeronautical engineer: $4 JOBS 9K– $1 Data scientis

t: $61K–135 K Physicist: $3 1K– $135K* *Source: sala ries acco to Payscale.c rding om

09K

Read more on CareerswithSTEM.com bit.ly/CWSSpaceExploration

20

>SCIENCE+UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY<

The to space study ahead when it comes

loved thinking Tara Murphy has always strophysicist Professor the universe? in like, what’s our place about the ‘big questions’ rsit y ive Un the en nt in 2017, wh So it was a thrilling mome s nal sig io rad ed firm con her team n of Sydney professor and illio -m 130 d space that were create from ripples in time and light yea rs away.

Physics is y of Sydney’s School of Tara says the Universit international g din rophysics. “We’re lea a great place to study ast in distant nts eve e rem ext m the most projects in everyt hing fro e’re also “W s. galaxies evolve,” Tara say space, to how sta rs and .” tion of telescopes bui lding the next genera helor of Science, jor, you can enrol in a Bac ma s sic phy a To study Studies or ced van ence/Bachelor of Ad combined Bachelor of Sci e.

Arts and Scienc the Bachelor of Libera l from, from omy modules to choose ron ast o als are There jects. pro r ough to Honours yea yea r one, all the way thr the physics, in d ste ere int o’s ryone wh “There’s something for eve s. ing of astronomy,” she add eng ineering, or comput f-thousands of students dre Tara is helping hun d-o rning ough her sta rtup Grok Lea around the world too, thr rses for high schools and – providing coding cou suit. ence is a col laborative pur sci rn ode universities. “M hly hig m fro lls, ski ent differ It needs people wit h all nicators. So, if you’re technica l, to great commu give it a go!” – Jake Dean interested in astronomy,

A

Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) University of Sydney

Professor Tara Murphy makes contact with outer space

PhD in Astrophysics, University of Edinburgh

21

Co-founder, Grok Learning

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

To get there: bit.ly/USydPhysics

woyerarls d OuUntiverositfy oftSyhdnis ey is light

Professor and ARC Future Fellow, University of Sydney

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+SPACE< i’ve never met another group of ded, people so like-min kind, ambitious and welcoming as the space community”

Fleet Technologies

Career launch space sector t Australia’s booming gs on am t ge d an s ar reach for the st space was as far as aunching satellites into vor’s mind while Tre ce Pluto from Lawren . ree deg sics phy he finished his three my r afte off r yea a k too “I s burnt out undergraduate years. I wa ” says ng, dyi stu nt sta con from the helor Bac a Lawrence, who studied iversity Un the at cs) of Science (Physi pursued and t qui rly nea “I . ney of Syd at Honours law, but decided to look chatted with he im, wh a projects.” On Khachan, the head Associate Professor Joe ch Group, and ear Res of Plasma Physics eer plan. car his d nge cha completely a prototype plasma for “He floated this idea rosatellites and it propulsion system for mic says. “I took off in sounded cool,” Lawrence looked back.” t en’ that direction and hav

Seeing Earth from sp

ace Today Lawrence is a SA TCOM (satellite commu nications) engineer for Adelaide-based startup Fleet Space Technologies, helping launch and track nanosatellites (like the one in the above pho to!) to help increase efficiency in industries from agriculture to logisti cs.

L

Bachelor of Physics (honors), UNI OF SYDNEY

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

It’s all about your im

age Image analysis – makin g sense of the complex dat a satellites provided of our land, oce an and air – is one major growth area within space science. Bu t many other existing ind ustries will be transformed as space bec omes more accessible.

For instance, opportunitie s around services (devel Lawrence Trevor, and nut oping medicine rition for astronauts and launches satellites space tourists) will grow and graduates can also build space resear into space ch careers. Lawrence say s networking and attending the Southern Hemisphere Space Studie s Program (SHSSP – hosted by the Universit y of South Australia and International Space University) were key to launching his career.

“I attended lots of confere nces and workshops for the opportunity to learn and meet the righ t people,” Lawrence says.

He even met Fleet’s CEO, Flavia Tata Nardini, while at the SHSSP, and reconnected once he learnt they were hiring.

“I’ve never met another group of people so like-m inded, kind, ambitious and welcomin g as the space communit y, and I love that every day presents a new challenge.” – Jake Dean

Southern Hemisp e Space Studies Proher gr am, International Space University

Gr aduate Engineer, Nova Systems

22

SATCOM Engineer, Fleet Space Technologies

Rising star her love of Kirsten Banks is usingh people about space astrophysics to teac

SHU TTER STOC K

G

Bachelor of Science (Physics), UNSW

“Using top-of-the-line lasers to do your own research is quite incredible ten. as an undergrad,” says Kirs UNSW, at ject pro s our Hon her For the evolution into Kirsten will take a deep dive continue her to ns pla of galaxies, and later she isn’t busy she en wh But studies with a PhD. building her also is ten Kirs s, mo exploring the cos nicator at Sydney skills as a science commu tralia’s oldest continually Observatory, home to Aus st rewarding thing for working telescope. “The mo es light up when they see me is watching people’s fac s Kirsten. “If you stick say a planet for the first time,” never really work a day in to what you enjoy, you will your life.” – Gemma Conroy

Tour Guide and Astronomy Educator, Sydney Observatory

Physics Tutor and Teacher, Matrix Education

Honours in Physics, UNSW

CRICOS Provider Code 00098G

always had a fascination rowing up, Kirsten Banks But it wasn’t until her rs. with the planets and sta W that she discovered UNS at first year studying physics runs in her blood. her passion for the night sky g about Aboriginal nin lear rted “As soon as I sta learn more,” says Kirsten. astronomy, I knew I had to and Indigenous science “Bringing together Western ctive on the universe.” has given me a great perspe t and science The budding astrophysicis ’s physics facilities and SW communicator says that UN her eye when she was high-tech resources caught for her Bachelor of choosing the best university st undergraduates have to Science degree. While mo te to sink their teeth into wait until after they gradua dents the opportunity to research, UNSW gives stu ents while studying. carry out their own experim

using top-of-the-line lasers to do your own research is quite incredible as an undergrad”

>SCIENCE+UNSW<

What does a Nobel Laureate, an Australian of the Year and a first-year science student have in common?

The answer is a belief they can all learn from each other at UNSW Science.

UNSW Science degrees offer exhilarating career pathways, from astrophysicist to zoologist. A science degree can take you to the stars and back!

science.unsw.edu.au Learn, Explore, Discover

23

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+SOCIETY<

Neighbourhood watch Science skills like data gathering and analysis are helping to solve the big problems facing society today

Lucinda Har tley Co-founder & CIO Jessica Christiansen-Fran ks Co-founder & CEO

START Y OUR CA R EER

HERE SCIENCE+ SOCIETY Australian National U STUDY niversity –B

achelor Bachelo bit.ly/ANU r of Public Policy: of Science / DoubleDeg reeSciand University Policy of New E Planning: ngland – Bachelor bit.ly/UniN o UNSW Syd ewEngUrb f Urban an ney – Bac helor of D Decisions: ata Scien bit.ly/UNS ce a n d WBachDS ciDec

ntries – rld ’s most urbanised cou ustralia is one of the wo – so the as are tion live in urban nea rly 90% of our popula eur Jessica ren rep ent ial soc igner and work done by urban des super important.

Christiansen-Franks is y. They tics wit h Lucinda Ha rtle rly bou igh Jessica co-founded Ne ing lud inc , tos pho and d social posts use data from geo-tagge people go, the Google about the places and ok ebo Fac , Instag ram Neighbourly tics as. are they value in their things they do and what useful and ate cre can ers nn s so that pla ma kes recommendation – to ref lect ps sho like bus stops, parks and in their relevant public places – tic hen aut re mo nities. “People are sica. the needs of the commu Jes s ,” say when they fill in a sur vey social media posts tha n

A

SCIENCE+ SOCIETY JOBS Urban pla nner: $47 K– $ 9 6K Policy advi sor: $ 60K – $106K Data scie ntist: $ 61K – $135K* *Source: sa laries acco rding to payscal e.com

Risky business

sing, who leads ent specia list Andrew Gis For emergency ma nagem – ma nag ing l hazard research centre Risk Frontiers – a nat ura , responding to fire disasters isn’t just about it’s also – es uak thq flood and ear about finding out how to be bet ter prepared, so less damage Andrew Gissing occurs.

Andrew’s team’s ana lys Risk Frontiers is of flood fata lities dating back to 1900, found that most dea ths occur when people try to drive or wa lk through floodw ater. In 2017, four deaths in Weste rn Austra lia direct ly res ulted from flood disaster, so An drew and this crew got to work sur vey ing people in the local areas where floods occur.

They found that even tho ugh nea rly everyone agr eed entering floodwater is dan gerous – most also believ ed they knew when to give it a shot.

“Twent y-six per cent bel ieved that it was somew hat, or completely, safe to dri ve through knee-deep stil l floodwaters,” Andrew say s. It isn’t!

Zoe Condlif fe Founder, She’s A Crowd

Making society safer for wo

men Zoe Condliffe, founder of She’s A Crowd and a PhD candidate at Monash Universit y’s XY X lab, is a gender adv ocate and another data gur u using dig ital mapping to ma ke change.

“The biggest barrier to add ressing gender-based vio lence is a lack of data about gen der inequa lity: how it loo ks, feels and operates in our soc iety,” says Zoe. Her dig ital mapping too l ‘Free To Be’, gat hers firs t-hand stories of girls and young women in five major citi es (Sydney, Delhi, Kampala, Lima and Madrid) to identify places where street harassment and att acks occur. That data is then aggregated and analysed to form in-depth insights into where gender-based violence occ urs and help pla nners ret hin k city spaces wit h women in min d. – Brenda n Fitzpatric k

the biggest barrier to addressing gender-based violence is a lack of data” Read more at CareerswithSTEM. com: bit.ly/Makesmeappy

>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<

24

>SCIENCE+ENERGY<

!

R E W O P E H T YOU HAVE

, and help save the planet ion pt um ns co gy er en t cu n u ca With science behind you, yo

A

Dr Sven Teske Research Director

RE START YOUR CAREER HE

udy Science+EnergyencSt e (Energy and

r of Sci Flinders University, Bachelo rsUniBachSciEnergyAdv y/Flinde Advanced Materials): bit.l Technology, Bachelor of Queensland University of ence): Science (Environmental Sci i bit.ly/QUTBachSciEnviroSc of r helo Technology University of Newcastle, Bac Systems): rgy Ene able new (Re ewEnergy Ren ech bit.ly/UniNewBachT

bs Science+EnergyK–$Jo 96K Environmental scientist: $50 K R&D manager: $58K–$140 154K K–$ $76 er: nag ma ity abil Sustain Metallurgist: $74K–$158K* to payscale.com *Source: salaries according

solar and wind minate technologies will do er renewable energy ov the coming decades”

UTS / SHUTTERSTOCK

ustralia is an energy-rich country, producing three times the amount of energy we need.

While 63% of our energy is generated by burning coal, renewable energy sources are everywhere, from the heat seeping out from below the Earth’s surface to the energy produced by our tides and oceans.

“Renewables have only scratched the surface of their full potential,” says Dr Sven Teske, research director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney.

There are hundreds of science-based renewables career paths to choose from. You could become an expert in acoustics to help reduce wind turbine noise. Or, join a company like Wave Swell Energy, which converts the energy in ocean waves into clean electricity. Like renewable energy itself, the career options are limitless.

Sven believes that while “solar and wind technologies will dominate renewable energy over the coming decades”, water and geothermal energy are also hot topics.

“Once you have found your source of motivation, I am sure the renewable industry will find a way to benefit from your individual skills,” Sven adds. – Ben Skuse

Zarif Aziz (far right) and the Okra Solar team

Take your skills OS

om Penh, the capital t Zarif Aziz travelled to Phn niversit y of Sydney studen a Solar during his for engineering startup Okr city of Cambodia, to intern net works to give remote builds solar energy sharing winter holidays. Okra Solar “From week one, I had my ap and reliable electricity. villages access to clean, che l Okra controllers so era by building and testing sev chance to make an impact s. say loy in the villages,” Zarif that they were ready to dep

U

Meet a solar energy engineer on CareerswithStem.com.au

bit.ly/SolarEnergyEngineer

25

SCIENCE

>SCIENCE+MENTORING< Watch a day in the life of Nacho: bit.ly/MYMentor18

Meet your mentor Munty & Nacho dents at Meet Munty: Yea r 10 stu all know ool Sch h Hig a att Parram dhury as the ow Muntaqim ‘Munty’ Ch n for bot h sio pas e -tim kid wit h the big d fin Munty music and science. You’ll time, and re spa writing rap lyrics in his ssmates. cla of s wd cro for per forming them d his way ffle has slid, popped and shu Meet Nacho: Nacho Pop You ink Th You So reographer for to becoming a hip-hop cho Eyed ck Bla The for cer dan a well as Can Dance Austra lia, as a few. Now, and Bliss n Eso to name ms llia Wi ell arr Ph s, Pea dy science stu to how the countr y he’s teaching kids around ckwell using dance. – Eliza Bro you. I’m Munty, ho! It’s a pleasure to meet Munty [4: 52 PM ] Hi Nac questions for you. few a e hav sion for music. I a young student with a pas Nacho [5: 49 PM ] ’Sup ma

n!

as known for dance, as well Munty [6: 32 PM ] You’re nage ma bioethics. How did you maths, par ticle physics and t wan you de n the two? What ma to create a bridge bet wee e? at the same tim to dance and study science

Nacho [3: 49 PM ] Creatin g a bridge for me was all abo ut following my passion – first my pas sion made me dance, and the n it made me science ! All dance has to be motivated by music, or else it looks like junk. And similarly, the foc us, patience and creativity req uire d for science all starts with bur ning questions in a scientis t.

ice do you have really interesting ! What adv Munty [9:13 PM ] That’s STEM? o are into both the arts and for young artists like me wh Nacho [11:07 AM ] Never stop learning! You got ta wor k your but t off in any field you are in, but if you start with a pas sion for learning you hardly even notice. Div e in head first and never slow down.

Munty [2:10 PM] Wow thank you Nacho! That sounds like very good advice.

– how do re! Got one question for you Nacho [8: 44 AM ] Pleasu music? for seeping into your passion you see maths and science Munty [10:51 AM] I love how science explains how audio and radio waves work; I’m fascinated by the idea of sound.

Munty [3:44 PM] Haha you too Nacho, thanks for your time!

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SERENA PETRIELLA

man, All the best for the future Nacho [12 :03 PM ] Nice! n. ic sound waves soo I hope to hear your scientif

Find out more at superhero.acs.org.au 27

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>DIRECTORY<

FOCUS ON STUDY LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT UNI DEGREE TO GET YOUR CAREER IN SCIENCE STARTED? SCROLL THROUGH OUR LIST OF OPTIONS TO SEE WHICH COURSE BEST FITS YOUR SCIENCE + (INSERT YOUR PASSION HERE)...

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