What’s involved?

A career in environmental research can mean working in flood defence, energy, agriculture, conservation, waste management, forestry or land contamination.

Graduate posts include research assistants, research scientists and technicians, and can involve fieldwork, lab work, interviewing, computer-based data analysis and library research.

Employers include universities, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, industry and environmental consultancies.

Key skills

• problem-solving
• the ability to communicate with a wide range of people
• the ability to cross the natural / social science divide.

Training

Graduates are given training on the equipment and methods used in most laboratory research. Some carry out postgraduate study as their career progresses.

Tips for success

Get some relevant work experience, read specialist publications such as New Scientist and The Environment Post, and join a professional body as a graduate member so you can meet useful contacts.