Careers with STEM: Science 2026

CAREERS withSTEM

TERM 1, 2026

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science

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X-Ray CHEMIST

Grow your agriculture career

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Be a crime fighter

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CAREERS with STEM.COM AGRICULTURE + SPACE + NUCLEAR SCIENCE + CRIME AND JUSTICE + SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

YOU CAN GROW LIFE BEYOND EARTH with us From manufacturing and human health to agriculture and conservation, synthetic biology (SynBio) is providing new tools to address some of the planet’s big issues – like controlling invasive species, reducing pollution and securing supply chains in the face of climate change and future pandemics.

SynBio is also helping fuel space exploration by producing food, fuels and building materials like bioplastics made from algae. It also has the capacity to provide radiation protection and prevent disease in astronauts.

CRICOS Provider 00002J TEQSA Provider PRV12032 FSE00661

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Macquarie University is a world leader in SynBio. Home to the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology and the Australian Genome Foundry, our researchers led global efforts to complete construction of the world’s first synthetic yeast genome in 2025. As a Bachelor of Science student majoring in biotechnology you’ll study alongside these global experts as you develop your skills in cell biology, biomolecular sciences and genomics. You’ll also gain the knowledge you need to bring scientific discoveries to the world – and make living technology our bridge to the stars.

Are you ready to take biology to the stars?

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FOREWORD+ANSTO

Hello people of 21 26!

Science at the frontier

Here in the year 2026, we’re th ril led to joi n th e Po

w Parramatta Tim erhouse e Capsule Book of Record.

We hope the careers in th ese pages have helped to sh ape a brighter futu re for you al l.

ts will collaborate across The next generation of scientis ysics to biology, coding to disciplines – from quantum ph tomorrow chemistry – to build a better

Dr Mitra Safavi-Naein i Medical Radiation ph

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ysicist

isn’t a single he most exciting frontier y intersect. discipline, but where the consilience, There is this lovely word: the same thing which means looking at e problems from different angles. Th ide one ins sit worth solving rarely physicists, ed field, which is why we ne gin en eers biologists, chemists and today is working together. Science a team sport. g At ANSTO, I watch youn between y idl flu g researchers movin and rk wo y tor data science, labora ing that rn lea are design thinking. They the at en pp the best discoveries ha lines. boundaries between discip particle accelerators Here at ANSTO, we use g what has happened to probe the past – tracin timescales by over geological or human m ancient rock analysing everything fro efacts. We also create formations to cultural art technologies, energy new materials for quantum ability. You’ll meet my research and national cap ar more about this ANSTO colleagues and he e ‘Small science, big work in this magazine (se space safer’, p18). These impact’ p10 and ‘Making our world differently, stories will help you see cosmos. from the nanoscale to the ool and thinking sch h hig If you are still in here’s my advice: go about a future in science, d physics you can for the hardest maths an guages like Python, manage. Learn coding lan

C++ and MATLAB. Computation is becoming inseparable from experiment. Modelling and simulation are now part of almost every scientific discipline.

But technical skills aren’t enough. Being a scientist also requires confidence, and that comes through practice, not talent alone. Join maker clubs. Build things. Break things. Rebuild them. You will develop problem-solving instincts and learn how to work in teams – both essential for collaborative science of the future.

The future of science is being written today. It is not abstract, it is real. And we want you to be part of the team, starting now.

Be curious, be collaborative and tackle the problems that matter” Bachelor of Engineering, University of Toronto

Dr Mitra Safavi-Naeini Acting Director, Centre for Accelerator Science ANSTO

PhD in medical radiation physics, University of Wollongong

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Research leader, ANSTO

Acting director, Centre for Accelerator Science, ANSTO

SCIENCE

CONTENTS

Double issue: Flip for Health

What’s inside?

Shaping solutions

P20

P6

P5 Think like a scientist

From homework to hangouts, here are 5 ways thinking scientifically can make a difference every day

list P6 Global to-do ar ts to

Use your science sm , save power up communities lives P8 the planet and change

P8 Can’t pick aof STEM?

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favourite area Try teaching!

an, Every scientist, technici n ia ic at engineer and mathem nate was inspired by a passio mind. Why not go into a career that shares your passion?

= STEM +ieX nce (STEM) with Combine Sc ur your passion (+X). It’s yo er! formula for a dream care Science + …

P12

ence P9 Work experi ess for STEM succ

P9 Work experience helps u yo at wh er you discov enjoy, build confidence ers re and explore potential ca

P12 Agricultudre

P16

P16 Space

Feed the world an combine science, technology and sustainability to grow ns smarter, greener solutio for our planet ore space Reach for the stars! Expl can be they science skills and how handy in any career

ice P20 Crime & ju’s st right using

Why science?

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cience graduates are in dem and, with 89% in full-time wor k just three years after finishing their studies, accord ing to the Graduate Outcom es Sur vey. Studying science trains your mind to ask bold questions, think crit ically and find solutions tha matter – whether you’re tac t kling climate change, design ing the nex t big innovation or shaping the future with AI. The world doesn’t just need more scientists – it needs more people who think like scientis ts: curious, courageous and ready to make a difference.

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Stand up for what critical evidence, empathy and fairer thinking to build safer, communities

ogy P22 Syntheticcrbietol s to create

Learn biology’s se form life solutions that will trans as we know it

UPFRONT

t s i t n e i c s a e k i Think l

From homework to hangouts, here are 5 ways thinking scientifically can make a difference every day

Make smart decisions

Science helps you weigh up pros and cons, look for reliabl e info and make informed choice s.

This is useful when making comparisons, like between pho ne plans or bank accounts.

Knowing about nutrition, sle ep and exercise science also hel ps you make smart decisions for your wellbeing so you don’t foll ow the latest Instagram health fad !

Understand how thingsthewfizzorgetks in

From knowing how ding your sof t drink, to understan ird, why the weather is being we world the ps hel ity ios scientific cur it and se… sen around you make to ting res inte re makes you way mo talk to at par ties.

Spot fake news

If you’ve seen the latest AI vid eos from Sora, you’ll know that you can’t always believe what you see. Science builds critical thinking, helping you to find the best sources, spot biases and avoid being fooled by clickba it or misinformation!

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Teamwork makes the dream work

Science relies on teamwork – sharing a diversity of ideas, putting them to the test and respecting others’ viewpoints. Those same skills make group work (and life!) smoother all round.

ost Creativity bo ut facts – it’s about

Science isn’t just abo ways to try, fail, experimenting. Finding new e up with com then try again helps you t’s in art, sport, innovative ideas, whether tha e Fellows politics or beyond! – Jasmin

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SCIENCE

UPFRONT

t s i l o d o t l a Glob

anet and mmunities, save the pl co up r we po to ts ar Use your science sm solving and others as you are problemng lpi he o int as t jus e u’r f yo has come sorted. The United Nations CV ur yo er sid con , ng ati innov althier ke the world a fairer and he ma to list do tol ba glo a up with g things off. eds scientists to start tickin planet – and the world ne

I

Er, what the SDG?

a collective call velopment Goals (SDGs) are The UN’s Sustainable De poverty, working towards ending list sh wi l ba glo a – ion act to y aren’t just tecting the planet. And the pro d an ty ali qu ine ing uc red k a goal you rints for real-world jobs. Pic ep blu e y’r the – as ide ct abstra are you’ll science skills, and chances ur yo th wi it tch ma ut, care abo thway and career! find a compatible study pa ir related listed all 17 SDGs and the Keen to get started? We’ve s. – Cassie Steel science for social good job

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change lives

Goodtajinoabbl!e

1 x sus ent goal developmdy path = + 1 x stu e career a sciencial good for soc

No poverty

Good job: Agricultural scientist Big help: Develops farming methods to boost food security.

Study: Bachelor of Agricultural Science

05eqGenuadelirty

Good job: Social scientist Big help: Designs fairer system s to support women and girls in science and tech.

Study: Bachelor of Psycholog y

02Zero hunger SHUTTERSTOCK/LAUREN TROMPP

Good job: Food technologist Big help: Creates nutritious, sustainable resources to feed growing populations.

Study: Bachelor of Food Science and Technology

06aClendasnawnitataterion

Good job: Environmental eng ineer Big help: Creates systems to safely manage water and waste in remote com munities.

Study: Bachelor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Good health and wellbeing

Good job: Biomedical scientist Big help: Develops new treatments to help people live longer, healthier lives.

Study: Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Affordable 0 7 and clean energy

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Quality education

Good job: Renewable energy scientist Big help: Creates solar panels , wind farms and batteries to power the planet sustainably.

Study: Bachelor of Renewabl e Energy Engineering (Honours)

Good job: Science educator Big help: Inspires the next generation of changemakers.

Study: Graduate Diploma of Education

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Decent work and economic growth entist

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Responsible 12 consumption and production

Good job: Data sci industries, Big help: Uses data to boost er, art sm predict trends and create fairer economies. ence Study: Bachelor of Data Sci

Good job: Materials scientist Big help: Creates eco-friendly materials and designs products that can be reused or recycled.

Study: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Materials Engineering)

Industry, innovation and re Infrastruengcinetu er

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Climate action

Good job: Robotics chines to improve Big help: Builds smarter ma communication. manufacturing, transport and g erin Study: Bachelor of Engine (Honours) (Mechatronic)

Good job: Climate scientist Big help: Analyses weather patterns to help fight climate change.

Study: Bachelor of Climate Science

Reduced inequalities

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earcher Good job: Public health res se health gaps clo Big help: Analyses data to between communities. ence Study: Bachelor of Health Sci

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Sustainable cities and communities

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Good job: Marine biologist Big help: Protects marine eco systems from pollution and warming seas.

Study: Bachelor of Marine Sci ence

ental scientist Good job: Urban environm aner cities with cle r, Big help: Designs greene systems. rgy better air, transport and ene nt me Study: Bachelor of Environ

15Life on land

Good job: Conservation eco logist Big help: Restores habitats, protects wildlife and manages biodiversity.

Study: Bachelor of Biodivers ity and Conservation

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Peace, justice and stron institutions g Good job

: Forensic scientist Big help: Uses DNA, chemis try and evidence analysis to solve crimes.

Study: Bachelor of Forensic Science

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Good job: Policy advisor Big help: Brings scientists, gov ernments and communities together to turn research into action.

Study: Master of Public Pol icy

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SCIENCE

UPFRONT

a e r a e t i r u o v a f a Can’t pick ! g in h c a e t y r T ? of STEM

. s inspired by a passionate mind wa ian tic ma the ma d an r ee gin Every scientist, technician, en shares your passion?

Why not go into a career that alongside others. You’re not just shaping young

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scientists – you’re building a better tomorrow.

It’s estimated Australia will need more than a million additional tech workers by 2030, and it all starts with inspiring tomorrow’s scientists, mathematicians and engineers today.

So if you’re someone who loves solving problems, exploring how the world works and igniting that same passion in others, maybe the next big STEM breakthrough isn’t in a lab – it’s in a classroom. – Mike McRae

one area when t can be hard focusing on riosity. Does that everything sparks your cu ing a classroom full sound like you? If so, teach the perfect job! of curious minds could be n curiosity while Educators explore their ow ment in others. STEM inspiring that same excite liver lessons. They’re teachers do more than de ntors for the next explorers, inventors and me generation of thinkers. m brings a new Every day in the classroo ght you explore black question to solve. How mi g Earth? What’s the holes without ever leavin most people onto most efficient way to fit the struct a boat that could a bus? How could you con hold an entire city? u never stop Teaching STEM means yo elf. Whether you’re learning new things yours can navigate a maze, programming robots that es of galaxies through capturing stunning pictur e designs made of a telescope, or testing bridg re the universe spaghetti, you get to explo

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2023

S CAhREER EM JOB KIT wit ST

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M E T S EDUCATOR tips Insights, information andr a STEM-qualified teache

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on becoming

r STEM Check out ou b Kit! Educator Jo

UPFRONT

e c n e i r e p x e Work s s e c c u s M E T S for Work experience helps you discover what you enjoy, build confidence and explore potential careers

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hen it comes to STEM, work experience is your best opportunity to get up close with the latest tech and facilities, from observatories to laboratories!

Plus, you get to tap into the inspirational minds that run them.

Work experience can take many forms. You might shadow someone, help on a project, or attend meetings. Here’s how…

Go through an agency

If doing it yourself feels overwhelming, use agencies. Check the Australian Government’s What’s Next website for options like Volunteering Australia, Workforce Australia, Seek Work Experience and opportunities in your state or territory. whatsnext.dewr.gov.au

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Find your own s who show initiative,

Employers love team player ively create are self-motivated and proact y to show that you opportunities. What better wa n to organise your own embody all these qualities tha work experience placement? work experience excites Pick your goal: What type of up? you? Where do you want to end ple you know (family, Make a list: Brainstorm peo companies or friends, career advisors) and (local businesses, organisations you’ve heard of ncies) who might help. universities, government age rt intro about your skills Craft your blurb: Write a sho of the experience. Tailor and what you hope to get out uine interest. it for each contact to show gen d your blurb to your Reach out and follow up: Sen week later. No luck? Keep contact list, then check in a more contacts, then trying. Send your blurb to five five more. Persistence pays!

Virtual work experien ce

Many experiences are now online! Try What’s Next’s list of online options or take a look at UNSW’s Career Accelerator Virtual Exp eriences for free online projects you can complete fro m home.

No matter how you do it, work experience opens doors. Once it’s done and dus ted, you can list your work experience on your res ume, along with the skills you developed on the job.

Start looking today – your fut ure self will thank you!

– Cristy Burne and Jasmine Fel lows

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SCIENCE

SCIENCE+ANSTO

STO in partnership with AN ed uc od pr s wa e cl ti This ar

, e c n e i c s l Smal big impact who know that smalls s er ch ar se re O ST AN ough Meet 4 riously big breakthr science can lead to se

#1 Mining for tech T

oday, engineers like Charlie are helping mining and mineral processing companies to ext ract and refine critical minera ls for tomorrow’s tech.

Lithium, which is a core com ponent in the most powerful batteries, is used in everything from pho nes to EVs. It is super import ant – as are rare earth elements.

“Pretty much all modern tec hnology has some sort of rar e earth element in it, from medical dev ices to wind turbines,” Charlie says.

As a process engineer at AN STO, Charlie works with com panies on new ways of refining minerals into pure materials.

“We design a plant that will run at a small or pilot scale and giv e them data, and then that will be the basis of how their big pla nt will run,” she says.

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), UNSW

Charlie Stanwix Process engineer

Charlie’s tip “Find a good mentor who you admire, and find people who are supportive of you.”

year in industry student, ANSTO Minerals

Summer vacation student, Santos

#2

Dr Rosemary Young Cr

Crystal discoveries

ystallography beamline scientist

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ow do we know that DNA is a double helix, or that the COVID-19 virus is covered in spike proteins? The answer is to pummel it with X-rays (or, more formally, a technique called X-ray crystallography).

“You take thousands and thousands of teeny tiny little crystals, way too small to be picked up by hand, and essentially fire them through an X-ray beam, taking shots of them as they go,” explains Rosemary.

As a beamline scientist at the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne, Rosemary is using crystallography to collaborate with scientists working in drug discovery, batteries and solar cells.

Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Chemistry), University of Adelaide Postdoctoral researcher, Monash University

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Process engineer, ANSTO minerals

Rosemary’s tip “It’s hard to know what you don’t know, especially in regional areas, so take all the opportunities that are available to you.”

Laboratory technician, Treasury Wine Estates

PhD in chemistry, University of Nottingham, England

Crystallography beamline scientist, ANSTO

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der ee Warren Dr Annmaberam t tis ien line sc

#3

BioSAXS

Super structures

A

Annmaree’s tip “Be confident in what you know, and you’ll pick up on the other things as you go through. It’s okay to not know everything.”

Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry), University of Waikato, New Zealand

ll living things run on protein s: big, blobby molecules with thousands of atoms, per forming mysterious duties at the atomic scale.

The way we learn more about those duties is by figuring out the shapes of these proteins.

At the Synchrotron’s BioSAXS beamline, Annmaree works wit h researchers to do just that.

“We can use X-rays to unders tand what structures they’re forming,” she says. “People can understand what they loo k like, and then maybe design therap eutic drugs to target them, or understand processes in the body.”

Protein structure is important for researchers developing new medicines, but it can also be used to understand non-huma n proteins – even things like pla nt evolution!

Master of Science (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), University of Waikato

PhD in biochemistry, University of Waikato

Beamline scientist BioSAXS, ANSTO

#4 Bright quantum future

dr evan consta

NANOPROBE beamline sc ble ientist

How tiny is a nanometre (nm)?

Human hair

~40,000 nm thick

Red blood cell

W

Evan’s tip “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

~7000 nm across

hat’s the tiniest thing you can imagine? Bet it’s not as small as what Evan’s been working on.

As a beamline scientist at the Synchrotron, Evan is investiga ting things at the nanoscale, in the order of about a billionth of a metre . He uses a nanoprobe, which focuses X-ray light on a minuscule spo t. “That allows us to be really precise with wh ere we’re applying the light,” he says.

This can help to understand biological cells for medical res earch, and minerals for mining. But Evan is interested in quantum com put ing, a sector he says Australia has invested heavily in recently.

Quantum computers are still developing, but as they scale up, the tiny components inside them will need to be analysed at the nan ometre level to make sure they work proper ly. Evan’s tool acts almost like a quality check for the quantum future . – Ellen Phiddian

Bachelor of Science (Physics) (Advanced Honours), University of Wollongong

PhD in physics, University of Wollongong

Bacterium

1000–10,000 nm

DNA molecule ~2 nm wide

Most atoms 0.1–0.2 nm

Postdoctoral researcher, Institut NÉel CNRS, France

Nanoprobe beamline scientist, ANSTO

Senior scientist, Technische UniversitÄt Wien, Austria

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SCIENCE

SCIENCE+AGRICULTURE

CULTIVATE YOUR FUTURE Want to feed the world while saving the planet? Ag science is your next frontier

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ered old guy in orget that image of a weath ssie farmers are a plaid shirt on a tractor. Au savvy in the world, among the most scienceing with STEM jobs. and agriculture is brimm you could be in With a career in ag science, improve livestock a lab figuring out how to cycle of harmful genetics or studying the life to control. You might insects that farmers need p working to combat be at an exciting AI startu go diving in the climate risk. Perhaps you'll maybe you’ll go roving aquaculture industry. Or erley rangelands, around the stunning Kimb to promote ecological working with pastoralists food production. thinks ag jobs will tip By 2030, the government towards more away from traditional roles ison Ratcliffe creative science roles. – Al

Subjects matter The government wants students from all kinds of disciplines to testdrive a career in ag through its new AgConnections placement scheme. It’s keen to enlist city dwellers, women and First Nations people too. Take a look at the subjects it’s targeting: ✔ Engineering

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✔ Mathematics

International Yea r of the Woman Far mer in 2026 Did

✔ Business management

you know nearly two-third s of ag ricultu re and environment grad uates are women? Plus , female high sc hool students are lea rn in g to solve re al-world ag tech problems th roug h prog ra m s such as GrowHe r in Queensla nd .

Al l good reasons to celebrate the International Year of the Woman Fa rmer in 2026!

✔ Information technology ✔ Animal science ✔ Biotechnology ✔ Environmental science ✔ Marketing and communications

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START YOUR CAREER HERE

Real ag scientists in the field Dr Zenon Czenze

(biolog y graduate) investigates whether bats could control pests in the wine industry, reducing pesticide use.

Indiana Rhind

(engineering and agricultural engineering graduate) is founder of ag consultancy Demeter Engineering and an ag educator.

Dr Caitlin Evans

(biodiversity, conser vation and animal science graduate) is a livestock researcher investiga ting disease and stress-related hea lth concerns of livestock.

Dr Valentin Thépot

(science – aquaculture graduate) helps First Nations islanders on Groote Eylandt move from mining to sustainable aquaculture.

Feed the world

Certificate II in Agriculture, TAFE WA, North Regional Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations, TasTAFE Diploma of Animal Technology, TAFE SA Bachelor of Agricultural Science, University of Queensland Bachelor of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania Bachelor of Viticulture, Charles Sturt University

SCIENCE + AGRICULTURE + JOBS Agronomist $56K–$102K Vineyard manager $50K–$93K

We need ag scientists to save our bacon! Here’s why…

•9 .8 billion – The projected world population, and number of people we’ll need to feed, by 2050.

• - 120 calories – The likely result of reduced food production per person, per day for every degree Celsius of global warming.

•+ 3°C – The amount of global warming that would require everyone to give up breakfast.

•8 00+ million – The number of people in the world who already have to go without food for a day or more.

•8 % – The projected drop in crop yields by 2050.

SCIENCE + AGRICULTURE + STUDY

Biosecurity officer $80K–$95K Soil scientist $49K–$83K Environmental consultant $55K–$114K

Ag valley

Va lley! very ow n Sil icon Aussie ag has its W is NS of Oran ge in The trend y town . v8 lti Cu abs home to SparkL more ed og ra m has fu nd Its accelerator pr ed a lop ve de ’ve ups. They than 50 ag start crops, te na lli po to AI uses robotic bee that iser uld reduce fer til a fu ng us that co e, ur pt ca on rb use and boost ca ea ks cows’ and feed that tw oduce m icrobiomes to pr in g m ar fewer pla net-w bu rps.

*Salaries according to payscale.com and seek.com.au

*FIGURES FROM UN AND HULTGREN, A., CARLETON, T., DELGADO, M. ET AL. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GLOBAL AGRICULTURE ACCOUNTING FOR ADAPTATION. NATURE 642, 644–652 (2025).

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SCIENCE

SCIENCE+AGRICULTURE

S R E E R A C D E R CULTU

and sustainability takes seed. s om blo ce ien sc ts, rou sp on Modern ag is where innovati rs with ’culture!

Explore a wide range of caree

Horticulturelture are set to grow!

Careers in horticu , urban gardens, or Explore flowers and fruits sports fields. even turf management for y, engineering Horticulturists use botan impressive lop ve and data analytics to de dscapes, all lan ble crops and design sustaina pact. im l nta while reducing environme t (tree Careers include: Arboris management), landscape design, greenhouse technician, plant researcher

Aquaculture

Aquaculture – aka fish, shellfish and algae farming – is the underwater version of agriculture. In Australia, aquaculture is booming and the industry is projected to increase in value by 5% to $2.21 billion by 2029. Get ready to make a splash in an aquaculture career!

Careers include: Marine biologist, phycologist (algae expert), aquaculture engineer, environmental scientist

Dive into ourob Kit ist J Marine scient

Meet arborist Harry Roberts Harry completed his mature-a apprenticeship and a Certificage III in Arboriculture. He now lea te his own arboriculture team at ds Brisbane City Council!

Silviculture

Vital for healthy ecosystem s, silviculture is about the growth and ma nagement of forests for everything from timbe r to clean water.

Forestry scientists and en vironmental engineers use the latest tec h like drones, GIS mapping and climate mo delling to manage forests sustainably. – Jas mine Fellows Careers include: Conserv ation biologist, forest ecologist, carbon an alyst, sustainability consultan t

Viticulture

Australia is internationally renowned for its awardwinning wines and glamorous vineyards. Viticulture is the science and practice of growing grapes for wine, as well as for food and even cosmetics! You might explore soil analysis, pest control or fermentation technology for wine.

Careers include: Vineyard manager, oenologist (wine scientist), plant geneticist, soil scientist

Grow your knowledge with our Conservation Biologist Job Kit

n Dig the dirt o e c n soil scie

S CAREER M JOB KIT

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with STE

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Conservation

Biologist Tips and advice to land your dream job helping protect our planet

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Agriculture is more than farming Discover how Jenson McIntosh’s agriculture degree is shaping a sustainable, science-driven future a farm to build ou don’t need to grow up on e – just ask Jenson a rewarding career in agricultur pleted his Bachelor of from Sydney who recently com ement at Charles Sturt Agricultural Business Manag University in Wagga Wagga. iculture, I quickly “When I started studying agr r than I first thought,” discovered it’s much broade ny career paths, from Jenson says. “There are so ma international trade and research and agribusiness to an industry full of supply chain management. It’s impact.” opportunities to make a real classroom includes ’s son Jen rt, At Charles Stu on-campus farm in Wagga a 2000-hectare global digital experience. Charles Sturt is Wagga, giving him real-world ck out the 360-degree a leader in ag education – che gga Wagga facilities. virtual farm tour to see the Wa a supply chain This year, Jenson will start as a leading Australian pork management graduate with production systems and company, where he’ll optimise utions. – Karen Taylor-Brown explore renewable energy sol

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jenson mcintosh supply chain manage r

SCIENCE+AGRICULTURE: CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY

Agriculture isn’t just farming – it’sss, technology, businefood” and the future of

oduced in This article was pr les Sturt University partnership with Char

Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, Charles Sturt University

Your future starts here – discover the world of agriculture With Australia’s #1 uni for grads who get jobs.* Study at Australia’s largest^ and most experienced provider of agricultural and wine science education.

Our history goes back 120 years.

Choose a degree in: • agriculture

• agricultural science

• agricultural business management

• viticulture • wine science

Flexible study online or on campus in Wagga Wagga.

Full-time or part-time.

Find out more

csu.edu.au/agriculture 15

Take a 360° interactive tour of our 2,000-hectare working farm – the largest digital farm in the Southern Hemisphere. info.csu.edu.au/ wagga-farm-tour *Good Universities Guide 2025/26 ^ Department of Education, National Data Collection File, 2023 © 2025 TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University).

CRICOS 00005F. M4204.

SCIENCE

START YOUR CAREER HERE

REACH FOR THE SKY

SCIENCE + SPACE + STUDY Bachelor of Science (Astronomy and Astrophysics), Macquarie University

Launch your science + space career, without leaving Earth

F

igure you’d have to head to NASA to land a successful career in space? Think again!

With Australia’s space industry on track to triple in size by 2030, the sector is buzzing with employers on a mission to hire science grads.

Bachelor of Science (Physics), QUT Bachelor of Space Science, RMIT Advanced Diploma of Engineering, TAFE Queensland

SCIENCE + SPACE + JOBS

Speed of light

stralian Space Since the launch of the Au has try Agency in 2018, the indus he the lp of seriously taken off. With has supported more tech-sav vy graduates, it goal to create another than 15,000 jobs, with a 20,000 by 2030! space scientists?

The best bit for wannabe be found all over the Space hubs (and jobs) can (Geoscience Australia) country – from the ACT Space Technologies) to Queensland (Gilmour mann Space). and South Australia (Neu

Astrophysicist $59K–$121K Avionics engineer $71K–$111K

Ma jor perk!

Robotics engineer $56K–$100K

Space need s gamers! Yep, the same 3D modelling, virtual reality and simu lation tools used to desig n video games are also used to plan rover missions, control satel lites and even train astronauts.

Data analyst $60K–$114K *Salaries according to payscale.com

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Choose your trajectory

Pathways are as diverse as the jobs going – it just depends where you want to land!

A Bachelor of Science co uld skill you up to become an astrophysicist , meteorologist or planetary scientist, while a computer science degree could lead to caree rs in data analysis, satellite science and Earth observation.

Then there are the VET-t o-space pathways in areas like aerospace ma nufacturing, drafting and avionics, wh ere diplomas, internships and apprenti ceships are increasingly supported by industry partners, including the Australian Space Agency.

Whatever you choose, pic king your pathway is a great first step into sp ace! – Cassie Steel

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Mission control

Home to the Australia n Space Agency, along with satel lite giants Fleet Space Tech nolog ies and Myr iota, Adelaide has become a buzzing industry hub.

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University, hen you study at Macquarie seen the sky’s the limit! Devika has go into jobs Macquarie astronomy grads rmaceuticals, ranging from finance to pha nication. mu academia and science com a science and data dat “The extreme amount of omy is incredible,” techniques we use in astron ed modelling and Devika says. “We use advanc t gives our students imaging techniques, and tha .” skills they can take any where

“Macquarie doesn’t care wh ere you come from or what you look like. If you hav e talent and drive, it suppor ts you,” Devika says.

Astronomy’s big toys

When Devika was young, her favourite toys were a sextant, an almanac and sta r charts. Her grandfather, a sailor, taught her that you can calculate distance and directio n just by looking at the night sky.

These days, Devika is resear ching at Macquarie Obser vatory, one of Australia’s busiest teaching observatories and home to Sydney’s only astronomy major.

If you can't wait to check out the observatory, book in for a visit now! You'll get to chat to current students and experience the campus vibe.

The entire School of Mathema tical and Physical Sciences has fantas tic facilities. If you want to explore space, Macqu arie has you covered. “There are laser lab s, photonics labs, even 3D printing machines and data science centres,” says Devika. – Jas mine Fellows

Super supportive

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and welcoming Devika loves how suppor tive she’s looking Macquarie University is, and ture for students for ward to continuing that cul thematical and as Head of the School of Ma Physical Sciences.

if you have talent, macquarie supports you”

This article was prod uced in partnership wi th 17

SCIENCE+SPACE: MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

Head of School, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Macquarie University Senior lecturer in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Macquarie University

Associate Professor Devika Kamath has followed the stars all her life. Now she’s inspiring the next generation to do the same at Macquarie University!

Post-doctoral researcher, KU Leuven, Belgium

PhD in astronomy and astrophysics, ANU

FOLLOW THE STARS

Master of Science (Physics), Christ University, India

Astrop

Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry), PSG College of Technology, India

Associate Profeshsor Kamat Devika hy sicist

Macquarie University SCIENCE

SCIENCE+SPACE: ANSTO

This article was produced in partnership with ANSTO

R E F A S E C A P S G N I MAK licate e, we need experts who can rep To send things safely into spac O’s Dr Stefania Peracchi its harsh radiation – like ANST

Dr Stefania Peracchi

Nuclear physicist

S

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not just because pace is dangerous – and iation! there’s no air. It’s full of rad ld protects us, On Earth, a magnetic fie mbarded by cosmic but space is constantly bo ion from the Sun. rays and bursts of radiat send humans, or That means if we want to ce, we need to protect even computers, into spa fania is helping to do them from radiation. Ste Accelerator Science. this at ANSTO’s Centre for e the facilities – “Our purpose is to provid recreate the space particle accelerators – to Earth,” she says. radiation environment on lp researchers test Stefania and her team he space exploration by out technologies used in iation. bombarding them with rad ic radiation that their cif “They can access a spe whatever they’re electronic components, or ll be exposed to during going to send to space, wi their mission,” she says. running radiation Stefania spends her days and improving their experiments, developing ising students. instruments, and superv of my job is having “The most rewarding part ers coming in with all a wide variety of research questions,” she says. these different and weird Bachelor of Physics Engineering, Polytechnic University of Milan PhD in nuclear physics, University of Wollongong

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

The experiments could be on anything, from a space company launchin g a satellite into low-Earth orbit, to acade mics testing to see how humans would handle a voyage to Mars.

In one recent experimen t, they exposed seeds bound for the Moon to rad iation to see if they could survive and becom e crops on a possible Moon base.

“It’s interesting to see ho w some seeds are more resilient to radiation than others.”

Stefania says it’s a fascin ating job – but it’s not one she expected to end up in.

“I never dreamed to be a space radiation expert, or even to work in the space field. Do not worry if, at 18 years old, yo u don’t know who you want to be and what to stu dy. There’s always a way to find out.” – Ellen Phiddian

We recreate the space radiation environment on earth”

Master of Nuclear Engineering, Polytechnic University of Milan Accelerator scientist & space radiation expert, ANSTO

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Nuclear engineer, IRSN Irradiations team lead, ANSTO

Cosmic cswrapopepd cosoking for

astrobotanist

Find out how a chef y QUT is the perfect cosmic crops – and wh your future career place to start growing to grow plants on the Moon! his year, Australia is aiming dan, who’s helping to make Meet QUT PhD candidate Jor this mission a reality.

Lunar Experiment Jordan is par t of the Australian ) project – an international Promoting Horticulture (ALEPH ds and plants to send into effort to choose the best see lian n loliiformis, a native Austra space. He’s studying Tripogo nt can lose 95% of its water, ‘resurrection grass’. This pla nt hours of watering. If any pla then bounce back within 24 one! can handle lunar life, it’s this restaurant manager, Jordan and f After 17 years as a che for him and turned to QUT to realised the industry wasn’t . pursue his passion for plants T because it’s well-known for “I ultimately decided on QU mindset,” he says. its ver y practically oriented gs about QUT is the close One of Jordan’s favourite thin to isors, who encouraged him rappor t he has with his superv t. take par t in the lunar projec r tic supervisory network. Ou tas fan “It’s definitely got a s low Fel e amazing.” – Jasmin professors and lecturers are

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Chef and restaurant manager

SCIENCE+SPACE: QUT

Jordan Gemmell

This article was prod uced in partnership with QU t

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences), QUT

Honours (Biological Sciences), QUT

PhD in molecular biology and plant physiology, QUT

TEQSA PRV12079 | CRICOS 00213J

Guaranteed work-integrated learning solving real industry problems.

QUT Bachelor of Science 19

SCIENCE

SCIENCE+CRIME & JUSTICE

Beyond CSI

lems?

Love science and solving prob forensic expert You might have a career as a

e s, you might imagine on hen you think of forensic . nts pri sing DNA or finger person in a lab coat analy ce en rt of the picture, the sci And while that can be pa ines vast field that often comb of crime and justice is a what d an rst de ycholog y to un biolog y, chemistry and ps d why. happened, who did it an me in, time for lab results to co The reality is that it takes ltiple mu on m of hundreds working and there’s usually a tea sic ren ple, the Victoria Police Fo crimes at once. For exam vides more s over 500 staff and pro Services Department ha ns per year. than 100,000 examinatio ything science, you could be an sic en With a career in for ist. The log tho pa sic tor to a foren iga est inv ne sce me cri a from Wheeler every year! – Samantha list of forensic jobs grows

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Australian Federal Police work experienc e

If you want to get a taste of a career in forensic science, the Austral ian Federa l Police have a one-we ek immersive progra m for stud ents in years 10 to 12 in the ACT .

This progra m only happens twice a year, so be sure to keep a close eye on their website.

Fact vs fiction TV Futuristic equipment and facial recognition software are common.

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d Results are instantaneous, with a case solve in a few hours or days. iple One person (or a small team) performs mult . ician mort or ctive roles, like lab tech, dete Investigators carry guns, chase suspects, and call all the shots.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Reality Enhancing blurry Technology is advanced, but still not top tier. not doable. often images or getting perfect facial matches is days, weeks, Backlogs in labs are common, and it can take results. or even months to receive and analyse lab evidence Different experts handle different tasks, from collection to lab analysis. suspect Many forensic experts are rarely involved with interrogations and arrests.

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START YOUR CAREER HERE SCIENCE + CRIME & JUSTICE + STUDY Bachelor of Forensic Science, UTS Bachelor of Forensic Science / Bachelor of Criminology, Deakin University

eil MichellealNys t Forensic an

21

Forensic analyst, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services Laboratory technician, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation

ave you ever heard of the CSI effect? As Michelle, a forensic analyst with Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, explains: “The CSI effect is when crime shows and other media like TikTok portray forensics and other science incorrectly.”

While most of the ‘science’ you watch on TV or TikTok unfolds rapidly, Michelle says her work tends to be complicated and time consuming.

“Depending on the run time for each sample [of forensic evidence] and how many samples there are, it might take 24 hours for the run to finish – or even a whole weekend!”

Then, she needs to review the data and write up reports.

Her pro tip for anyone interested in forensics?

Ask yourself which subjects you like best at school. This can help you figure out how to use your passion to solve forensic problems. Given the diversity of forensic roles out there, you're bound to find something that suits you!

“Forensic accountants to forensic nurses to forensic anthropologists, crime scene investigators, forensic psychologists, and even forensic dentists (odontologists),” Michelle says. Take your pick. – Samantha Wheeler

Diploma of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Federation University

SCIENCE + CRIME & JUSTICE + JOBS Forensic scientist $53K–$99K Forensic pathologist $51K–$306K Crime scene investigator (CSI) $33K–$102K Forensic scientist $53K–$99K *Salaries according to payscale.com

Documentation officer, analytical chemist & first aid officer, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

H

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Workforce Development and Training

What a science career justice working in crime and actually looks like!

Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry and Forensic Science), QUT

Forensics for real

Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), QUT

SCIENCE

SCIENCE+SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

LIFE BY DESIGN

d of that nature never even dreame ies nit rtu po op r ve co dis uld co you By learning biology’s secrets,

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ife on Earth is encoded in a shared language of biochemistry. From instructions written in DNA emerge the building blocks of proteins, fats and sugars, which combine into functional, living organisms.

Scientists are not only learning this language, they are finding ways to reimagine it in novel ways. Synthetic biology is a rapidly evolving field of study where researchers constr uct and redesign biological systems to giv e them new functions that suit our ne eds.

At its core, synthetic bio logy combines biology, chemistry, engin eering and computer science to build living systems from the ground up. – Mi ke McRae

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Cut and paste rning how to Researchers are already lea n and dow es om gen strip bacterial entirely are t tha ls cel into rebuild them ISPR synthetic. A tool known as CR A codes DN allows researchers to tweak te text. pas and as easily as we might cut into ces uen seq ing By removing or add ld cou rs che ear res existing cells, future ty sal or dry to help crops adapt are more conditions, make foods that of disease nutritious, or reduce the risk . in livestock and even humans

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

22

START YOUR CAREER HERE

Reprogrammed lifeforms Check out these examples of synthetic biology in action!

Medicine from microbes The common gut bacterium E. coli has been reprogrammed into a mini-factory. It can make insulin for people with diabetes, reducing the risks and costs of sourcing insulin from animals.

From bread to biofuel Common brewer’s yeast has been tweaked to produce carbon-neutral biofuels. That’s a win for the environment.

Lab-grown meat Science is serving the ‘meat’ without the moo. Animal tissues are being grown in labs to deliver more ethical and sustainable meat – without livestock.

The ethics of redesigning life

The next life-changing breakthrough might not come from nature, but from a lab bench where life itself is reimagined.

Are we ready for what comes next? We’ll need bioethicists to make sure we are.

Biology that’s boomin g!

According to CSIRO, Austra lia’s synthetic biolog y sector could generate $30 bill ion in annual revenue and create over 50,000 jobs by 2040!

From bioengineers and biotec hnologists, to data scientists and biomanufacturin g specialists, careers in this field are growing. You could work in industries like health, food, energy or env ironmental science.

Summer Satterthwaite Biotechnolo

gy student

SCIENCE + SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY + STUDY Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), Macquarie University Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), RMIT Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), Te Herenga Waka– Victoria University of Wellington Bachelor of Biomedical Science, University of New England Master of Biotechnology (Synthetic Biology and Industrial Biotechnology), The University of Queensland Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, LaTrobe University

SCIENCE + SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY + JOBS

Summer of scietternthcwaeite

Summer Sa QUT master’s student logy and the natural has been hooked on biowas little world ever since she orough Thanks to many David Attenb interested in ays alw s documentaries, I wa a little kid,” as rld wo animals and the natural an to learn beg I en Summer explains. “But wh ic level, I was om about how life works at the gen tha er t every absolutely astonished to discov microbes to living thing – from giraffes to same tool set.” jellyfish – was working with the y at Te Herenga After majoring in biotechnolog Wellington, Summer Waka–Victoria University of of Technological won an Australian Academy

"

Sciences & Engineering scholarship to study a Master of Philosophy (Biotechnology) at QUT. Summer’s studies in synthetic biology now focus on semiochemicals. These compounds allow organisms to influence one another’s behaviours, like pheromones.

“Pheromones are incredibly powerful tools even in low quantities, but can be challenging to produce using traditional chemical synthesis, the perfect avenue for synthetic biology to step in,” Summer says.

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Food technologist $55K–$93K Research associate $55K–$126K Biotechnologist $49K–$92K Biochemist $62K–$122K *Salaries according to payscale.com

SCIENCE

NEXT STEPS

Spark your y it s io r u c ic if t n scie follow, play or watch away The world of science is only a Electives checklist

Follow @kurzgesagt: Creates beautif ul animated explainers to spark curiosity about science and the world we live in. @doctor_karl: Aussie treasu re and science communicator Dr Karl explain s science not just on social media but for the ABC. @CSIROgram: Australia’s nat ional science agency uses its Instagram pla tform to show science research in a fun way. Look out for Wombat Wednesday!

✔ Mathematics (a ny ) ✔ Biology ✔ Chem ist ry ✔ Physics ✔ Psycholog y

Careers with STEM: Science 2026 is a publication and trademark of Refraction Media.

Copyright © 2026 Refraction Media, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission. If you would like to reproduce anything from this magazine, email: info@refractionmedia.com.au.

Take our quiz: What’s your science career?

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

This issue went to press on 19 January 2026.

Printed in Australia by IVE.

watch

Paramount) Criminal Minds (Disney+ and Analysis Follows the FBI’s Behavioural ng usi es Unit, solving violent crim e note: this l-lif Rea psychological profiling. filing pro at is a fabricated version of wh est inv igations! actually looks like in real-life Still inspiring.

play

Explained (Netflix) s through This TV series run by Vox goe demics, skin pan a range of topics including recommend and plastic surgery. We also Explained. their other series: The Mind,

Animal Crossing (Nintendo Switch) This award-winning game lets you build your own little town. Within the game, you can fish, dig and collect bugs. Then, take them to Blathers, the owl museum curator.

He’ll give you wholesome, real-world facts on each and every fossil, bug or fish.

Steins;Gate (Crunchyroll) entist named This anime follows a mad sci , who Rintaro Okabe and his friends vel. While accidentally discover time tra explains real seriously fictional, this anime rmholes, scientific concepts such as wo ng theory.

Kerr black hole theory and stri

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The Planet Crafter (Steam) Similar to Minecraft but set in space.

A world-building game that aims to make an inhospitable planet habitable for humanity.

L.A. Noire (Steam) Play as detective Cole Phelps as he solves crime for the L.A. Police Department.

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

Cover image: Carmen Zammit

Produced and published by: Refraction Media Co-founder, CEO & Publisher: Karen Taylor-Brown Partnerships Manager: Rachel Jones Managing Editor: Jasmine Fellows Deputy Editor: Louise Meers Sub Editor: Amelia Caddy Art Director: Katherine Power Writers: Cristy Burne, Jasmine Fellows, Mike McRae, Ellen Phiddian, Alison Ratcliffe, Cassie Steel, Karen Taylor-Brown, Samantha Wheeler

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