STEM Careers | Danielle Edwards - High Frequency Radar Researcher

Danielle always liked maths and physics at school and at one stage envisaged a career in Meteorology. She admits that joining the Department of Defence was not even on the radar – even though that’s the field she has ended up specialising in!

While studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in experimental and theoretical physics at the University of Adelaide, Danielle earned a place as a DSTG cadet. She worked in Melbourne before transferring back to South Australia where she is now drawing on her physics background to enhance the performance of JORN – a network of radars which provide a critical surveillance capability of Australia’s northern approaches.

‘The opportunity to study a Master’s degree while on the cadetship program was fantastic. I had access to industry experts and DSTG resources that allowed me to complete significant research.’

Danielle says that she learned a lot during her cadetship.

‘I really enjoyed getting to spend time living in a different city.’

‘The program was a great way for me to experience what a career at DSTG may look like, and gave me certainty of a permanent position after studying.’

The best thing about her work? Danielle finds it hard to pick just one, but says that working with experts on problems of national significance would have to be up there. That, and the lunchtime volleyball sessions!