'Salinity is the biggest environmental problem that we are facing today. Undertaking research that might help to solve this problem is both challenging and exciting,' says Andrew, a former Department of Conservation and Land Management Environmental Research Scientist.

In Western Australia, there are approximately 200 environmental research scientists, around one third of whom are female.

Just under 80% work in the Perth metropolitan area. The remainder are located in the South West, Kimberley, South East, Pilbara, Central and Lower Great Southern regions of the State.

Each year, the number of people who commence an environmental science degree where they are able to major in pollution science, land and water management, ecosystem management and environmental policy varies. However, not all of these graduates seek to become an environmental research scientist.

An environmental research scientist is interested in finding the answers to important scientific questions so that we may better understand and protect the environment. To manage our environment, we need to understand the ways in which we are changing it and the effect these changes have on our health and well being. As a researcher, you might study global warming, endangered species or the effects of pollution on a particular ecosystem or species.

Questions That Need Answers

'What are the causes of salinity in the Wheatbelt? How do ecosystems work? and how do they react to human activities?' are all questions of keen interest at the moment, according to Associate Professor in Environmental Assessment at Murdoch University, John Bailey.



Having posed an important question, researchers will develop a project or experiment that hopefully answers the question, or at least sheds some new light on the subject. They will then usually undertake a review of all available literature on their subject, before deciding how they will set up their experiment.

The next step often involves going into the field to collect data so that the analysis and hopefully greater learning can occur. As Charles Jacoby, former Senior Research Scientist for the CSIRO Environmental Projects Office describes it, fieldwork often involves collecting samples on a cold and rainy night or painstakingly picking small animals out of a mass of mud.

So what keeps him at it?



'It's the thrill of discovering new things, like new species or new insights into how the world works, and the chance to improve the way we interact with the environment. It's all I need,' he says.

And it is challenging work! Developing a research project requires specialist knowledge in the relevant area of scientific study. It also involves having a good understanding of experimental design. Added to that, you will need excellent research skills and lots of patience.

Andrew, who was also the Revegetation Officer for the Farm Forestry Unit of CALM, had been undertaking a particularly interesting research project. CALM had begun planting oil mallee trees in the Wheatlbelt in an attempt to counter salinity. As well as having an interest in the land care benefit, CALM was also looking into the commercial potential of the trees, making it more worthwhile for farmers to plant them.



In Western Australia, there are a number of fields within environmental research that you may explore. An environmental research scientist in the area of hydrology might look into the effects of pumping groundwater from the Swan Coastal Plain, the main source of water for people in the metropolitan area.

Plant physiology studies might focus on dieback, a problem in our native forests. Plant nutrition studies might look into the effect of nutrients in our waterways to prevent disasters such as the recent blue-green algal blooms in the Swan River. Forest ecology investigates the impact of harvesting and logging and the impact of prescription burning.

Environmental research scientists are most likely to be employed by organisations such as CALM, CSIRO or Agriculture WA. There are also opportunities to combine research activity with lecturing at university.



Currently, prospects for environmental research scientists are best described as average. With only 200 people employed in this area throughout the State, and a relatively high number of graduates, employment opportunities are therefore limited. Many environmental research science graduates undertake their studies out of interest and to gain critical scientific research skills which can be applied to a broader range of careers. The level of government and industry funding that is available for research largely determines prospects for employment in this area.

It is strongly recommended to take education to an honours or masters level. If you were to complete honours (4th year studies in an area) and gain a first class, or 2A grading, you would be eligible to apply for a scholarship called an Australian post-graduate award. This scholarship pays you $16,000 (tax free) per annum to undertake studies in an area. However, it is very competitive and only students gaining the highest scores have the opportunity to be granted a scholarship.

A limited number of post doctorate fellowships are also available. Fellowships may last for one to three years and salary ranges may vary from $35,000 to $50,000 per annum.



Salaries for new graduates in this area usually start at around $30,000 to $35,000. With more experience, an environmental research scientist can earn up to around $55,000. There are opportunities for career advancement to managerial positions, with salaries of around $60,000 and higher.

To become an environmental research scientist you will need to complete a relevant degree. While most will complete a Bachelor of Environmental Science which is offered at the University of Western Australia, Murdoch, Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities, some enter this occupation by undertaking a degree in related fields such as biology, environmental assessment/management, agricultural science, environmental engineering and environmental geoscience, all of which are available from a number of universities in Western Australia.

Minimum entry requirements to these courses are usually the completion of Year 12 with a satisfactory Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). Prerequisites may include English or English Literature, chemistry, physics, biology, applicable or calculus mathematics.

For more information, please contact the tertiary institution of your choice, or check out the Universities website below.

	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Environmental Institute of Australia
GPO Box 211D Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: (03) 9654 7473

Environmental Protection Authority
141 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9222 7000

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