Virologist

Virology is the study of viral infections, such as rubella, herpes, hepatitis and HIV. Virologists specialise in the identification and characterisation of viruses that cause infection. Virologists may screen populations at risk of specific diseases or investigate how diseases have spread through the environment. Virologists may have research interests such as sterilisation and disinfection, the design and maintenance of operating theatres and other clinical areas, cleaning and waste disposal or food preparation and hygiene.

Attributes: logical, curious and patient

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Science communicator

Science communicators communicate science to the general public. They need to make scientific research understandable to people who may not have a background or career in science. Science communicators can be a science journalists or work in a university press office promoting the scientific research carried out by academics. They may deliver science shows or organise events at science festivals, schools or science centres or design and make interactive exhibits for science centres.

Attributes: creative, curious, logical

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Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists research and explore the brain, spinal cord and nervous system and develop treatments for a range of neurological issues. These include studying the brain’s role in mental illnesses such as depression or schizophrenia, the impact of trauma such as a stroke or head injury on the brain, or the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as epilepsy, motor neuron disease or Alzheimer’s disease.

Attributes: imaginative, patient and curious

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Meta researcher

Meta researchers study research itself. They study research methods, reporting, reproducibility, evaluation, and incentives. They ensure, promote, and defend robust science, free from biases. They ensure all results from scientific investigations are evidence based.

Attributes: curious, patient, resilient

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Machine learning engineer

Machine learning engineers combine software engineering and data analysis to create programmes and algorithms that enable machines to take actions without being directed. They provide computers with the ability to learn automatically and improve from experience, without being programmed.

Attributes: imaginative, curious, communicator

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Deep sea ecologist

Deep sea ecologists study the habitats, populations and interactions between marine organisms. They are interested in the living things and non-living physical and chemical factors that affect an organism in it’s deep sea environment. A deep sea ecologist may study the impact of human activity such as medical research, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry on an organism as well as the affects of geology, geography, meteorology, chemistry and physics on deep sea environments.

Attributes: curious, committed, observant

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Biotechnologist

Biotechnologists study the genetic, chemical and physical properties of cells, tissues and organisms, and discover ways to use this knowledge. They may work in the food industry and make enzymes and preservatives to use in food and drink. They may work in agriculture and genetically modify crops to improve yields. They may work in the medical industry and create new drugs and treatments. They may even work to improve the environment by converting plants into biofuels.

Attributes: observant, curious and imaginative

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Artificial intelligence researcher

Artificial intelligence researchers create models and simulations to teach computers how to solve complex problems. They model the problems using mathematics, and develop new methods to solve these problems. They write code to create algorithms and test and analyse these algorithms to see how well they solve the problem.

Attributes: curious, resilient and open-minded

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Ecological entromologist

Entomology is the study of insects which are the most abundant group of animals in the world and live in almost every habitat. Entomology is crucial to our understanding of human disease, agriculture, evolution, ecology and biodiversity. An ecological entromologist studies how insects interact with their surroundings and ecosystems such as insects’ role in the food chain, in nutrient recycling, transmitting disease and in pollination and seed dispersal.

Attributes: curious, observant, resilient

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Photochemist

A Photochemist investigates the chemical effects of light.  Photochemistry is a chemical reaction caused by absorption of ultraviolet, visible light or infrared radiation or a reaction that produces light. Photochemists may be interested in spectroscopy- splitting up light into it’s different colours to find out about the properties of the object being studied. They may be interested in photosynthesis, the way a plant generates energy from light. They may also study animals who use bioluminescence to signal to other animals or to lure prey.

Attributes: observant, curious, communicator

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