Science, technology, engineering and maths offer some of the coolest jobs on – and off – the planet.
We’re sharing the inspiring stories of successful experts who use STEM in their daily jobs.
Find out how they got their dream jobs and what you need to get yours! Come behind the scenes in this series of short films and hear from all our experts about how to follow your passions an build an exciting future for yourself – and the planet!
Participant: Dr Erin Rayment
Studying physics and chemistry doesn’t just lead to working in a lab (although that’s awesome too!). QUT’s Dr Erin Rayment uses her degree in Biotechnology Innovation to explore and develop advances in biological engineering and business. Working as Executive Director of Industry Engagement at QUT, Dr Rayment works to set up new companies and products, pushing the boundaries of new technologies—such as using gene editing to help the banana industry develop banana crops that can resist disease! Making the world a better place by intersecting science and business? Now that’s a cool job!
Participant: Dr Geremy Farr-Wharton
Boardrooms and charts? Nah! Business Development for QUT’s Dr Geremy Farr-Wharton, Senior Associate in the Office of Industry Engagement, is all about searching for awesome research that can transform our everyday lives. Dr Farr-Warton works with businesses to help them engage with the latest in health and data science research, taking cutting edge research to those that can shape the world and the innovations we use. Sitting at the very frontier of science and pushing the boundaries of what the newest technologies can do? Cool job alert!
Participant: Dr Evan Shellshear
They say love, money or people make the world go round. That may be true, but mathematicians make the world run better! Far from just sitting at a desk proving theorems, as Head of Analytics at Biarri and Industry Fellow of the Business School at The University of Queensland, Dr Evan Shellshear solves the real-world problems that have a big impact globally. Mathematics is a universal language and leads you to careers that can really take you anywhere.
Participant: Dr Claire Chakrabarti
As a child, Claire always asked ‘why?’. It was this curiosity that sparked her career as a science communicator and educator at Queensland Museum’s SparkLab Sciencentre. As Programming Coordinator of SparkLab, Claire develops opportunities for visitors to be the scientist, make observations and be curious. Questioning and exploring the world around us with visitors is all in a day’s work.
Participant: Dr Andrea Jalandoni
For Griffith University’s Dr Andrea Jalandoni, archaeology is so much more than just digging holes, it’s one big adventure! Travelling all over the globe, Dr Jalandoni uncovers some of the biggest mysteries in human culture by investigating the most interesting and significant rock art sites of the world. By using cutting-edge technology, including 3D modelling and drones, Dr Jaladoni answers fascinating questions about the past – and dodged a few crocodiles, sailed through shark-infested waters and scaled limestone cliffs along the way!
Participant: Dr Samantha Nixon
People might think that working with deadly spiders is scary, but for Dr Samantha Nixon it’s exciting! A venom scientist (and spider advocate) at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland, Dr Nixon’s research looks at how venom can help to develop new medicine. Dr Nixon is a passionate advocate for addressing inequality in STEM, education and leadership through science communication, and hopes sharing her passion for spiders will help inspire the next-generation of Australian scientists.
Participants: Dr Anjana Singh & Freddie Pastorelli
In Gladstone harbour on Queensland’s Central Coast, ecological assessments are important to monitor environmental health, including population numbers of keystone marine species such as turtles, dolphins, dugongs, shorebirds, fish and crabs. Learn about the various ecological monitoring activities undertaken to help maintain a balance between development and a healthy environment.
Participant: Scott Valler
Condabilla Fish based southwest of Chinchilla on the western edge of the Darling Downs, is a cutting edge aquaculture farm, growing and farming the iconic Murray River Cod for markets throughout Australia. Learn about the technology behind aquaculture and what it takes to produce quality fish in a sustainable and ethical manner.
Participants: Prof. Kerrie Mengersen
Data is everywhere, and no one crunches the numbers better than QUT’s Prof Kerrie Mengersen. Learn what it’s like using the power of maths, stats and data science to help jaguars in the Amazon, save the Great Barrier Reef, or helping people with cancer.
