Taxidermist

A taxidermist stuffs and mounts deceased animals to be displayed. They use a scalpel and precision scissors to remove an animal’s hide, feathers, or scales. Taxidermist them use salt and chemicals such as ammonium alum, potassium alum and aluminium sulphate to preserve and soften the hide, which is left to dry in a kiln or open air. They then use clay or foam to create a cast from the mould, and attach the hide to the artificial figure. The taxidermist then inserts artificial eyes, teeth, and claws and secures the animal to a plaque or mount.

Attributes: resilient, creative, observant

Primatologist

Primatologists study non-human primates from biological, anthropological, psychological and perspectives and may work within biology, medical research, anthropology or zoology. Primatologists seek to observe human-like behaviours, explore primate psychology, or study primate culture. They may work in zoos and other domestic environments caring for the animals or observing their behaviours and habits in the wild. Some primatologists work in laboratories assessing the biological backgrounds of apes and other human-like primates.

Attributes: patient, resilient, communicative

Palaeontologist

A palaeontologist is a scientist who studies the fossilized remains of all kinds of organisms (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and other single-celled living things) and the relationships between extinct plants and animals and their living relatives today. They try to understand extinction events of the past and apply this to the modern world as environments and global climates change. The work of a palaeontologist includes collecting data and samples on field trips, examining and testing samples in the lab, recording and classifying samples and collections and giving talks and managing displays and exhibitions.

Attributes: organised, observant, hard-working

Naturalist

A naturalist is a type of biologist who studies the impacts of living species on each other and the environments in which they live. Naturalists are less concerned with genetics and more concerned with relationships. They look for evolutionary markers to explain why a certain attribute may have been beneficial or what environmental conditions may have led to the rise of genetic diversity within a species. The core of the work a naturalist does is in the field rather than in the lab, taking field notes, photographs and written records and compiling them for analysis.

Attributes: self-motivated, committed, passionate

Habitat Restoration Engineer

Habitat Restoration Engineers are landscape planners working from an ecological perspective. They make ecological alternations to a landscape to return it to a former state, usually for ecological repair or conservation reasons. Habitat Restoration Engineers examine and identify the ways that human actions or natural events put pressure on ecology and the wider ecosystem. They identify the potential hazards and damages that they cause. They work with a variety of environmental scientists such as ecological planners, geologists, botanists, herpetologists and ornithologists on the engineering of new landscapes and recreation of ancient landscapes.

Attributes: committed, hard-working, collaborative

Entomologist

Entomology is the study of insects, their relationships with other animals, environments and human beings. Entomologists contribute to scientific knowledge by finding the best ways to pollinate crops, conserve insect species, and protect crops, trees, wildlife, and livestock from pests. They may specialise in particular fields. Structural entomologists study insects found in buildings such as cockroaches, finding ways to prevent them from entering and how to get rid of them. Forensic entomologists help solve murder cases by studying the insects found on dead bodies to determine the timeline and location of a crime. Medical entomologists research ways to prevent the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus from insects to people.

Attributes: observant, curious, open-minded

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Environmental Restoration Planner

An environmental restoration planner conducts laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those affecting health. Their work includes inspecting establishments, including public places and businesses to ensure that there are no environmental, health, or safety hazards and setting up and maintaining equipment used to monitor pollution levels. They will collect samples of air, soil and water for laboratory analysis and perform scientific tests to identify and measure the levels of pollutants in these samples.

Attributes: passionate, creative, imaginative

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians analyse data and statistics on living things collected during medical research studies to draw conclusions or make predictions. They work on methods in applied and theoretical statistics in order to advance the science of data analysis beyond current levels. They design biological experiments in agriculture and medicine. They collect, dissect, and summarize the data, and release information based on the findings of that data. During the execution of clinical trials, Biostatisticians monitor how the study is conducted to ensure that the integrity of the results won’t be compromised.

Attributes: collaborative, logical, organised

Animal Behaviourist

Animal behaviourists apply the principles of animal behaviour science while studying how animals interact with each other and their environment. They research an animal’s methods of communication, instinctual responses, learning methods, psychology, and group interaction skills. They often work on veterinary referral, helping the owners of companion animals such as dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and birds resolve behavioural problems through diagnosis of the problem behaviour and application of an individual behaviour modification program.

Attributes: self-motivated, curious, patient

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Regional Climate Data Researcher

A regional climate data researcher manages, analyses and prepares regional climate data for climate impact models and visualisation services. They use scientific data handling and experienced scientific interpretation of the climate sensitivity and uncertainties. They provide solutions to regional climate changes and climate impacts and make seasonal predictions on a regional scale.

Attributes: observant, organised, patient