Land yourself an eco gig that counts by skilling up in maths and data
Maths and nature might seem like an odd match, but the unlikely pair go way back. Name a career in environmental science and chances are there’s a numbers-based skill to go with it! Land conservationist? Statistics! Marine biologist? Differential equations! Climate scientist? Data analysis! Plenty of opportunity to mix maths with an environment career!
And with Deloitte predicting that more than 300 million additional ‘green collar’ jobs could be created by 2050 (think: environmental scientists, climate change analysts and data scientists), the probability of finding a gig that suits you is pretty high.
Model behaviour
Protecting our environment requires a deep understanding of different species – and not just their biology. Up there with one of the most valuable maths-heavy tools is mathematical modelling – the process of making data-backed predictions to navigate some of the world’s most pressing ecological problems.
Climate change models allow scientists to study environmental phenomena (both natural and human-caused) and plan for future climate-related challenges. Dynamic modelling, meanwhile, helps us understand ecological population growth and how different species might respond to challenging conditions.
And if you’re worried about finding a job, don’t be! A quick search of in-demand maths and environment job titles – like environmental statistician, renewable energy analyst and environmental engineer – proves that all the cool kids (read: employers) are hiring.
CSIRO is crying out for maths grads to map forests, urban areas and marine environments, while the Bureau of Meteorology is hiring meteorologists to study weather patterns and climate data. You could even work in a zoo as a wildlife ecologist, collecting and analysing data and running statistical modelling programs to protect endangered or vulnerable species, with maths and environment careers opening exciting pathways for aspiring professionals.
Major plus
Kickstarting a maths and environment pathway isn’t exactly as easy as pi. At school, you’ll need to knuckle down in maths and digital technologies, and basic biology knowledge will beef up your CV. But don’t stress about being top of three-unit maths – if communication and English are your thing, they’re important too, especially when considering maths and environment careers.
At university, pathways are as varied as the employers hiring! You could do an environmental science degree and take units in ecology and maths, or pursue a Bachelor of Mathematics majoring in data science. And don’t forget about non-uni pathways – there are plenty of diplomas and certificates to choose from.
If you’re itching to get experience while still studying, become a citizen scientist! Counting local wildlife and monitoring nearby weather patterns are great ways to start collecting green data for good. Exploring career options in maths and environment fields could be the perfect match.
Start your career here
Maths & Data + Environment + Study
- Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental and Climate Solutions), The University of Adelaide
- Bachelor of Environmental Management, UNSW
- Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability, ANU
- Bachelor of Mathematics / Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
Maths & Data + Environment + Jobs
- Data scientist: $69K–$137K
- Environmental scientist: $60K–$99K
- Statistician: $63K–$102K
*Salaries according to payscale.com
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A version of this article also appears in our latest issue of Careers with STEM: Maths and Data 2025.
