Explore careers

Useful experience for forestry scientists includes:

• summer placements working as a technician while studying for a Master's degree
• volunteer work in ecology and conservation.

Experience driving four-wheel-drive and all-terrain vehicles may be useful when in the field.

Forestry scientists may do some or all of the following:

• measure and analyse tree and forest growth
• develop new timber products or forestry technology
• investigate new species of tree that may be of commercial interest, and develop ways to breed them
• investigate damage to trees caused by diseases or animals
• study the impact of forestry on communities, and the impact of communities on forests
• study parts of the forestry industry such as forest product transport, or wood and paper product export
• provide technical advice on issues affecting forestry such as effects of climate change on tree health
• supervise technical and research staff
• write and publish reports on research findings.

At technician level, the main tasks are to help scientists prepare and carry out a range of experiments and tests.

Growing demand for forestry research

Opportunities for forestry scientists are growing due to:

• rising demand for forestry research and development
• insufficient numbers of graduates with relevant skills.

Demand for people to do more forestry research is due to:

• the need to minimise the effects of climate change – by producing faster-growing trees, for example
• the Government’s One Billion Trees programme, which has the goal of planting one billion trees by 2027. This programme has a range of aims such as controlling soil erosion
• demand for products, such as fuel and plastics, to be made from renewable fibre-based materials, such as trees, instead of petroleum.

According to the Census, 792 forestry scientists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Chemistry qualifications in high demand

Demand for scientists with biochemistry or organic chemistry qualifications and experience is increasing as biotechnology research to develop products, fuel and energy grows.

However, you can work in forestry science with qualifications and experience in other areas such as:

• plant science
• soil science
• microbiology.

Scientists increasingly working in partnership with industry

Forestry scientists are increasingly working with industry partners in areas, such as wood processing, where they can combine their knowledge and skills to produce speciality wood products such as laminated timbers.    

Types of employers varied

Forestry scientists may work for:

• Crown research institutes such as Scion and Landcare Research
• universities
• government agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Primary Industries
• private sector companies such as environmental research institutes and firms doing forestry research.

Competenz

0800 526 1800 - info@competenz.org.nz - www.competenz.org.nz

New Zealand School of Forestry - University of Canterbury

03 369 3500 - www.canterbury.ac.nz

Forestry scientists with Bachelor's degrees typically start as technicians, sometimes progressing into research scientist roles after getting a Master's degree or PhD in the relevant science area.

Forestry scientists with PhDs can apply for postdoctoral fellowships at research organisations or universities. It may take two or three postdoctoral fellowships to secure a permanent scientist or lecturer position.

After several years' experience, scientists can progress into senior research scientist, team leader or managerial roles.

Forestry scientists may specialise in different fields such as:

• biotechnology (developing products, such as plastics, from renewable fibres)
• ecosystems and climate (looking at human and climate influences on forest health)
• forest technology (assessing how new technology could make forest management more efficient) 
• wood processing
• wood quality.

Forestry scientists need to be:

• good at planning and organising
• skilled at writing reports and publications
• good at maths
• adaptable
• enquiring and observant
• open-minded and hard-working
• detail focused
• patient and methodical, as some research may take a long time.