Examples of Jobs Available to Biologists

Employers know that graduates from the University of Sydney are of a high quality. As one of these graduates you can expect to contribute to your community in many ways with opportunities in business, research, teaching, the media and government. The employment record of students taking biology is good and satisfying.

We have broadly grouped jobs into four categories, within which we have sorted them according to qualifications/experience needed. Click on a category below to view examples of jobs available to biologists.

Education:

 Opportunities arise within primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as in organisations such as museums, zoos, national parks and ecotourism.

Applied:

 A strong science background is important for working in organisations and industries such as fisheries, water management, pest control, environmental impact surveying and biotechnology.

Research:

 Positions are available in organisations such as universities, CSIRO, fisheries, medical research institutes and private companies.

Community:

 There are many opportunities to play a role in developing policy within local, state and federal government bodies, small businesses and tourism.

Even in areas where specific biological knowledge may not be directly relevant, the scientific discipline and wide biological knowledge allow you to play a leading role in our world. The generic skills are life long.

 

 

Education 

Qualification
Job title
Job description
BSc Council Project Officer Develop, promote and conduct programmes for Council to increase awareness about penguin colonies.
Museums Educational Officer Involves planning, development and promotion of museums as well as developing a community outreach programs.
Postgraduate Lecturer Active role in research and education programs, as well as teaching undergraduate students.
Biology Teacher Teach biology to HSC level, coordination of Biology throughout the science department.
Further qualifications and/or experience Associate Lecturer Teach at undergraduate and postgraduate diploma levels, as well as supervise Honours, Masters and PhD candidates.
Senior TV Researcher Devise program ideas, treatments, stories and scripts, prepare research briefs, collect scientific information and translate complex data into visual concepts.
Professor/Associate Professor Provide leadership to a team of academic support staff, teach undergraduate and postgraduate students and supervise postgraduate students.
Science Writer/Communicator Responsible for identifying high interest stories based on current research and ensuring that they are written in a range of styles for target audiences.

 

Applied 

Qualification
Job title
Job description
BSc Natural Resources Officer Involves field sampling, statistical analysis, identification of flora and fauna, natural resource analysis, data management and report writing.
Technical Officer (Scientific) Provide identification of flora and fauna, provide biological information to the community, government and non-government agencies.
Scientific Sales Responsible for selling a range of scientific products to various institutions as well as training customers in their use.
Postgraduate Environmental Consultant Involved in environmental and social impact assessment and community consultation, environmental planning and development of energy and water policies/strategies.
Aquatic Field Scientist Involvement in water quality monitoring, encompassing public health and ecosystem parameters.
Ecological Modeller Provide specialist expertise in ecological modelling for natural resources management outcomes and lead the development of various predictive ecological techniques.
Plant Pathogen Scientist Developing control strategies, characterising genomes of plant pathogens and DNA preparation for sequencing.
Further qualifications and/or experience Marine Environmental Officer Provide leadership and policy advice on environmental issues impacting marine resources, liaise and correspond with industry, State and Commonwealth government agencies and the public.
Molecular Geneticist Develop and validate protocols to improve the efficiency in the implementation of molecular techniques and initiate and prepare research proposals for submissions to funding bodies.
Senior Physiologist Provide high level physiologist services and to assist with the development and implementation of scientific programs in sports.
Supervising Fisheries Officer Responsible for providing effective and efficient management, leadership and direction to all fisheries districts within a specified area.

 

Research 

Qualification
Job title
Job description
BSc Algal Taxonomist Collect, identify, study and document collections of freshwater algae. Prepare scientific publications, photographic plates and drawings. Process and curate relevant herbarium material.
Research Assistant (Immunology) Participate in current research involving cell culture and activation, gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy.
Forestry Research Officer Responsible for the provision of specialist support to current research programs. Includes design, implementation and analysis of trials for development of technical guidelines in silvicultural practices.
Postgraduate Research Biologist Liaise and collaborate with other researchers to design and develop biological models as well as supervise staff and work in a research project team.
Marine Quantitative Ecologist Assist in development of research programs and undertake detailed level analyses of field data.
Geomorphologist/
Ecologist Research Assistant 		Involves surveying, physical habitat assessment and analysis of data collected.
Further qualifications and/or experience Landscape Ecologist Model spatial patterns, trends in land use and collaborate in the design of and implementation of ecological analysis at at landscape scale.
Microbiologist Develop and lead new research projects in microbiology and related fields, attract funding and liaise with a vide variety of scientific colleagues..
Conservation Ecologist (Botany) Undertake original research on the ecology of Australian flora, manage taxonomic collections and regularly prepare and publish outcomes of research in scientific journals, books etc.

 

Community 

2
Qualification
Job title
Job description
BSc Biodiversity Policy Manager Undertake planning of biodiversity conservation policies and advocate those policies to community and government agencies.
Ranger Manage project implementation in natural heritage, recreation management and prepare environmental assessment documents.
Natural Heritage Officer Responsible for identifying flora and fauna and advising on the most appropriate mechanisms for conservation.
Postgraduate Strategic Environmental Scientist Provide advice on ecologically sustainable development strategies and integration of environmental initiatives into environmental strategies and policies.
Research Officer Monitor and carry out research in policy development in areas such as science and technology, agriculture and energy and advise government officials on these issues.
Further qualifications and/or experience Senior Environmental Advisor Involves implementation and supervision of environmental management systems.
Wildlife Management Officer Includes planning and supervising wildlife management as well as managing volunteers and contractors.
Regional Facilitator for Water Conservation Develop public awareness/education campaigns at regional and local levels to promote efficient and effective water use to the agricultural community.

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