Students

Life Scientists

Below are details about the field of study you have chosen to explore, as well as some potential careers.

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Life Scientists

Life Scientists examine the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of humans, animals, plants and other living organisms to better understand how living organisms function and interact with each other and the environment in which they live.

Fun facts

  • Moderate Future Growth
  • 2016 Weekly Pay Before Tax
  • 75% full-time Full-Time Share
  • 53% female Gender Share

Tasks

There are many tasks done by life scientists. A few are listed below:

  • designing and conducting experiments, making observations and measurements, researching information, analysing data, preparing or supervising the preparation of laboratory reports and scientific papers, presenting findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and supervising the work of staff
  • studying the forms and structures of bodily organs and tissues by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination
  • investigating the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms
  • examining micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast and their enzymes, and using the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes
  • investigating the effects of environmental factors, such as rainfall, temperature, sunlight, soil, topography and disease, on plant growth
  • planning and undertaking experiments to study, measure and understand marine animals and plants
  • studying the growth and characteristics of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, algae and fungi, and the effects they have on plants, animals and humans to develop medical, veterinary, industrial, environmental and other practical applications
  • investigating the interrelationships between animals in their natural surroundings, in captivity and in laboratories

Specific occupations

  • Life Scientist (General)
  • Biochemist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Botanist
  • Marine Biologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Zoologist
  • Life Scientist
  • Anatomist
  • Animal Behaviourist
  • Neuroscientist
  • Parasitologist
  • Pharmacologist (Non-clinical)
  • Physiologist
  • Toxicologist
  • Biologist (General)
  • Enzyme Chemist
  • Protein Chemist
  • Cell Geneticist
  • Molecular Biologist
  • Molecular Geneticist
  • Plant Pathologist
  • Plant Physiologist
  • Plant Taxonomist
  • Bacteriologist (Non-medical)
  • Entomologist
  • Mammalogist
  • Ornithologist

Women in STEM

Eden Little

"It's not that people don't believe in your value or don't see your worth. Your resilience, intelligence and kindness will intimidate some people. "

Eden Little

Medicinal chemist and proud Gomeroi woman

Dr Zoe Doubleday

"It’s okay not knowing what you want to do or what you’re good at, but never let the feeling of ‘not knowing’ stop you from trying new things. You never know what you could discover."

Dr Zoe Doubleday

Marine Ecologist, superstar of STEM

Cecilia Villacorta Rath Lizard Island

"Follow your heart and dream big because everything is possible."

Cecilia Villacorta-Rath

Research Officer

Sonia Shah

"It’s OK not to know exactly what career path you will take"

Sonia Shah

NHMRC Early Career Fellow

Wendy Wright

"I want to ensure that wild places and wild animals are understood and protected."

Wendy Wright

Associate Professor, Conservation Biology & Associate Dean, Research Training

Janice Vaz

"The most rewarding part of my job is working with animals and being a voice for the voiceless"

Janice Vaz

PhD Student

09 Lisa Gershwin Web

"I am a bio-nerd, like you can’t even imagine. I am a geek with a capital G. I spend all of my time travelling around discovering new species."

Lisa Gershwin

Biologist

Adjanie Patabendige

"As a neuroscientist, I conduct research into understanding how the brain is damaged during neurological disease."

Adjanie Patabendige

NSW Health EMC Fellow

Marlee Hutton

"I am passionate about being the liaison between science and community."

Marlee Hutton

Research Support Officer

Kellee Reissinger

"I love growing plants by seed, and watching it grow"

Kellee Reissinger

Horticulturalist

Dr Michele Thums

"I'm passionate about our world – respecting, understanding and protecting it."

Michele Thums

Research Scientist

Sabrina Fossette

"I work on projects that will make a difference in terms of protecting and conserving flatback turtles"

Sabrina Fossette

Research Scientist

Dr Anjali Jaiprakash, Robobiologist

Dr Cass Hunter, Quantitative Marine Scientist