How to become a Research Officer
Research officers plan and conduct research into a variety of issues or areas.
Personal requirements for a Research Officer
- 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
Education & Training for a Research Officer
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 Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Duties & Tasks of a Research Officer
Research officers:
- Contact 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.
Tasks
- Reviews existing policies and legislation to identify anomalies and out-of-date provisions.
- Assesses impacts, financial implications, interactions with other programs and political and administrative feasibility of policies.
- Researches social, economic and industrial trends, and client expectations of programs and services provided.
- Formulates and analyses policy options, prepares briefing papers and recommendations for policy changes, and advises on preferred options.
- Liaises and consults with program administrators and other interested parties to identify policy needs.
Working conditions for a Research Officer
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.
Employment Opportunities for a Research Officer
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.
Specializations
Operations Researcher
An operations researcher develops methodologies for analysing and solving problems in government, business and industry, often using mathematical tools, statistical analysis and computers.
Research Officer
Research officers plan and conduct research into a variety of issues or areas.
Operations Researcher
An operations researcher develops methodologies for analysing and solving problems in government, business and industry, often using mathematical tools, statistical analysis and computers.
Average age
38
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
66% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
78%
Employment Size
15,500
Employment by state
ACT: 33.9%
NSW: 19.6%
NT: 1.5%
QLD: 13.0%
SA: 5.2%
TAS: 2.2%
VIC: 17.6%
WA: 7.1%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.1%
20-24: 3.7%
25-34: 34.8%
35-44: 28.4%
45-54: 20.2%
55-59: 7.2%
60-64: 3.7%
65 and Over: 1.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4.9%
Bachelor degree: 44.1%
Certificate III/IV: 2.7%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 41.8%
Year 10 and below: 0.6%
Year 11: 0.4%
Year 12: 5.5%
