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Research Officer

Research officers plan and conduct research into a variety of issues or areas.

Research officers can work in a wide variety of research fields, including medical, biological, educational, social, academic, economic, mathematical, legislation and human rights, human resources, business operations, the arts and creative arts, exploration and mining, communications technologies, logistics, information sciences, operations and political areas.

TASKS

Research officers may perform the following tasks:

telephone members of the public, organisation representatives or special interest groups to gather information
conduct research using a variety of sources including the internet, journals and publications or other relevant literature
collate and write up the results of their research for statistical or publication purposes
collect and analyse biological, meteorological or other types of data or samples for scientific study
study long-term and short-term trends in population growth and health, in the areas of biological, medical and health research
study the behaviour of animals for the purposes of zoological research
study economic or social trends in order to assist development with the policy
perform administrative, record keeping or statistical tasks related to research
pursue funding for further research

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

enthusiasm for research
able to analyse and collate information
good oral and written communication skills
able to work as part of a team
able to manage workload and meet deadlines
good organisational skills
proactive

Very Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Operations Researcher - develops methodologies for analysing and solving problems in government, business and industry, often using mathematical tools, statistical analysis and computers.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a research officer you usually have to complete a degree with a major that is relevant to the field in which you wish to conduct research. Research can be conducted into any field of learning but you could consider studies in arts, biology, economics, Indigenous studies, mathematics, medicine, political science, science and geology. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Research officers are employed by federal, state and territory government departments and organisations as well as trade unions, political parties, universities and non-profit organisations. Some work in the private sector for organisations that provide consultancy services to other organisations.

Employment prospects for research officers are affected by the level of funding available in their chosen areas.

With experience and sometimes further training, promotion to managerial positions is possible.

For more information about joining the public service, see the separate entries for Public Servant - Australian Public Service and Public Servant - State Government.