Sixteen years later, I'm still at it. The post-doc became a staff research position, and the excitement has not ended. I became an Australian citizen in 1990 and call OZ home.
As a scientist in a government organization, I have an opportunity to do basic oceanographic research with the understanding that it ultimately benefits Australia. In our part of the world, this is not difficult. AIMS was established in the 1970's primarily to do research on the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent coastal ecosystem. In 1992, AIMS' geographical brief was expanded to include northwestern Australia. Over the years, my post-doc study on upwelling into the GBR has evolved to include investigations of water quality throughout the GBR, nutrient cycling in tropical shelf ecosystems, river runoff of nutrients and sediments, fates of effluents from offshore oil production, environmental monitoring on the GBR and northwest shelf, and productivity of northern Australian shelf waters. The main problem is saying "no" to interesting, important, and interconnected questions. Australia is a large country (about the size of the continental U.S.) with a small population (19 million), a very large Exclusive Economic Zone (resources within this 200-mile area are under the jurisdiction of the adjacent coastal nation), few oceanographers, and a small funding base. As a result, it helps to be both a generalist and an enthusiast. Whatever It Takes is the title of a recent political memoir in Australia. That sums up the attitude that is needed to get the job done. I count myself fortunate to have come away from GSO with an exposure to a broad range of theoretical subjects and practical experience in a wide variety of oceanographic techniques. Monday afternoon seminars, the core course, the cruise requirement, and even studying for comps is valuable beyond measure.
Overall, I'd have to say I've got one of the world's great jobs. Mind you, when doing lab work in rough seas on a small ship, this opinion is not shared by other people. As a marine scientist in a country with very few people and an extensive coastline, I feel that I have an opportunity to exert a visible impact on how the public and the government perceive marine issues.
