Doctor of Philosophy (Earth Sciences)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Earth Sciences) at the University of Tasmania is a research degree for people who want to spend four years answering a question nobody has answered yet. You work under a supervisory panel, usually two or three academics, and the bulk of the degree is your own original research. Earth sciences at UTas covers the physical side of the planet: geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mineralogy, palaeontology, sedimentology and the tectonic history of the Australian and Antarctic region. The university sits in Hobart, close to some of the best exposed and least studied geology in the world, and it has long-standing research links with Antarctica through the Australian Antarctic Division and with the minerals and energy sectors through industry partnerships.

How the degree is structured

A PhD is not a coursework degree, so there are no semesters of lectures to sit through. Instead you complete a supervised research project and submit a thesis. Most candidates take four years full-time, though part-time and remote arrangements are common in earth sciences because fieldwork can be seasonal. During the first year you develop your research proposal, usually through a confirmation process that assesses whether the project is viable and whether you have the background to finish it. After that you move into data collection, analysis and writing. Some candidates take on a small amount of coursework or professional development in research methods, statistics or field techniques, but the thesis is the main game.

What you actually do

Your research might involve weeks in the field mapping rock units, collecting samples or running geophysical surveys. It might mean months in a laboratory using microscopes, mass spectrometers or geochemical analysis equipment. Many projects combine both. You present your work at conferences, publish papers with your supervisors, and eventually write a thesis of around 80,000 words or the equivalent in published papers. The skills you build are specific and transferable: how to design a research project, how to collect reliable data in difficult conditions, how to interpret it, and how to argue a case in writing and in person. You also learn to work with industry partners, government agencies and research organisations, because earth science projects rarely happen in isolation.

Who this suits

This degree suits someone who already has a strong background in geology, earth sciences or a related field, usually an honours degree or a master's with a research component. You need to be self-directed, comfortable with uncertainty, and willing to spend long stretches on a single problem. It is a good fit if you want a career in research, academia, government geoscience agencies, or the minerals, energy and environmental sectors. International applicants should check the English language requirements on the official university page. The Student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm entry requirements, fees and visa conditions on the official University of Tasmania page before applying.

• Research scientist in government geoscience agencies such as Geoscience Australia or state geological surveys
• Exploration geologist or geophysicist with mining and mineral exploration companies
• Environmental consultant specialising in contaminated land, groundwater or mine rehabilitation
• Academic researcher or lecturer at a university
• Petroleum geoscientist in the energy sector
• Hydrogeologist working on water resource management
• Geotechnical engineer or engineering geologist in construction and infrastructure
• Science communicator or policy adviser in government or industry bodies
• Museum curator or palaeontology researcher
• Remote sensing or GIS analyst in earth observation