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Researcher

Researchers gather and analyse data in various fields, publishing findings to advance knowledge and inform industry practices.

How do I become a researcher

Get qualified to work as a researcher with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Common questions

Researchers generally earn in excess of $110,000 per annum. You can increase your earning capacity by publishing books, papers, and educational materials based on your research.

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Research is a specialist field so there are no clear employment figures for this occupation. Researchers are employed by government agencies, universities and educational institutions, private enterprise, and non-profits — but they also work as independent consultants.

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Researchers are degree qualified and generally hold a PhD in their specialist field. This could be medicine, natural sciences, IT, public health, psychology, engineering, social sciences, engineering, literature, and many more. Launch your career as a Researcher by choosing your specialist field and completing a Bachelor’s degree and graduate studies in that area. You may also wish to complete an additional Bachelor of Research, followed by your PhD. You will also benefit from supporting qualifications that develop your written communication and project management skills, plus the ability to apply for research funding.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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Further reading

What is the Role of a Business Analyst?

14th October 2022

Choosing a security licence course in Australia: A step-by-step guide for jobseekers

10th November 2023

What Skills Does a Data Analyst Need?

25th November 2022

Researcher careers

Researchers are degree-qualified professionals who seek to discover new information and technologies in their field of expertise. It could be market research (customer behaviour for product development), environmental research (changes in weather patterns for climate modelling), zoological research (animal breeding patterns for conservation of endangered species), or medical research (testing pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases like cancer or diabetes).

As as researcher you’ll be gathering data using industry accepted methodologies, then analysing and comparing the information with other studies or historical data. Once complete, you’ll publish your findings and have the results cross-checked and reviewed by peers and contemporaries in the same field.

It’s important work and researchers generally share (or sell) their findings to peak industry bodies, academic institutions, and private enterprises to improve their services or product offerings.