Mathematician

What does a Mathematician do?
Mathematicians may choose a career in mathematical research and education, or utilise mathematics and its applications to build and enhance important work in the sciences, business, finance, manufacturing, communications and engineering.
Why does a Mathematician do this?
Mathematicians enjoy the challenge of a problem, see the beauty in a pattern, a shape, a proof, a concept. Mathematicians are essential in analysing data and designing accurate models in fields as diverse as biology and finance. Mathematicians enabled researchers to complete the Human Genome Project quickly. With the prevalence of computing at work and at play, Mathematicians will continue to touch everyone in modern society.
How does a Mathematician do their job?
Mathematicians may perform the following tasks:
- Applying geometry and calculus to designing objects in fields such as architecture, computer graphics and robotics;
- Analysing statistics to find predictive models for traffic flow, insurance risks, consumer research, market analysis and clinical trials;
- Developing predictive models for financial markets and products for financial risk management;
- Simulating processes in chemical, mining or agricultural industries by translating them into mathematical models;
- Computer modelling for industrial design;
- Developing and improving mathematical models to describe natural phenomena such as soil erosion, the weather and climate, ocean currents or biological behaviour;
- Developing computer programs for use in mathematical modelling and problem-solving;
- Using linear programming for urban, regional and transport planning;
- Engaging in image and signal processing for astronomy, cartography and medical and radar imaging;
- Analysing problems for the service, engineering or manufacturing sectors;
- Developing communications technology and information theory;
- Developing new mathematical structures, ranging across the areas of pure and applied mathematics, statistics, computing, operations research, commerce and industry;
- Teaching mathematics at school, VET and university level in Australia or overseas.
Where do Mathematicians do their work?
Depending on their role, Mathematicians may be office or lab-based, with the possibility of fieldwork and travel.
Minimum degree required
A Bachelor of Science with a major in
- Mathematics
Average salary per year
The annual median salary for a Mathematician is $70 616 excluding super.
Job outlook
Employment for Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians to 2018 is expected to grow strongly.
Professional profiles
- Maths Careers
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Related occupations
Mathematical Modeller, Pure Mathematician, Applied Mathematician, Mathematical Analyst, Scientific Programmer, Business Analyst, Data Analyst and Data Mining.
Companies that employ Mathematicians