Ciaran Carolan: How Perth opened new doors for the UK scientist

From Cambridge and Bristol to the WA beaches – a career move worth making

Moving halfway across the world for a new job is a big decision, but for Ciaran Carolan, a scientist at RPS, it was a chance to embrace both career growth and a better quality of life. From tackling complex contamination challenges, spending Friday mornings sampling on Perth’s glorious Swan River, and unwinding at the city’s iconic beaches, Ciaran says working at RPS is a dream job–and Perth now feels like home. Since making the move, he hasn’t looked back.

“Perth is so culturally similar to home that there was no adjustment period. And coming from the blustery UK, the heat has been like a warm embrace. From October to June, it’s just blue skies. Perth is an incredible place,” says Ciaran.  

After earning a geology degree from the University of Brighton, Ciaran built a strong foundation in geo-environmental science while working in Cambridge and Bristol. His experience in contamination assessments, land quality, and remediation projects eventually led him to an exciting opportunity at RPS in Perth. But what convinced him to take the leap and relocate to the other side of the world?

"The main reason I moved was to get a better lifestyle for myself—that work-life balance," he explains. 

"I had a few friends who moved here and raved about how different it was from the UK. People here work to enjoy life, rather than fitting life around work. That was a big factor for me."

His biggest concern before making the move? Leaving behind family and friends.

"You really do uproot yourself, and I had this idea that making new friends would be a struggle. But Perth feels much closer to home than I expected. The time difference isn't too bad, and I can still chat with friends and family every day," he says.

Despite these initial concerns, Ciaran found the relocation process surprisingly straightforward.

"It was terrifying how easy it was to move here. Everything is culturally similar, and it's not as expensive as I expected. The process was far less stressful than I imagined."

Challenging projects and career growth – what it’s like to work at RPS

RPS is known for its complex, high-impact environmental projects, and Ciaran quickly found himself working on unique contamination challenges. His skills cover contaminated land remediation and site investigation. 

"I help companies resolve contamination issues, whether it's a known problem that needs remediation or assessing land quality before purchase. It’s a wide variety of projects, but I focus mostly on soil and groundwater contamination, which suits my geology background perfectly."

One of the highlights of his work so far has been an assignment on Christmas Island.

"I got sent to Christmas Island twice last year for site investigations. It’s a place I grew up watching on nature documentaries, and getting to be there during the red crab migration was incredible," he recalls. "Hundreds of thousands of crabs move from the rainforest to the coast—it's one of the world's great natural phenomena."

Closer to home, he's been involved in contamination projects around Perth, including work at a large commercial airport.

"We've done a lot of deep drilling there, particularly looking at PFAS contamination. It’s an emerging area of interest and something I see as a key focus for the industry moving forward."

The work culture at RPS has also been a game-changer for Ciaran.

"It’s completely different from my roles in the UK. Back home, I was on-site every single day, living out of hotels and rarely in the office. Here, I get a much better balance—I’m home most nights, and the team culture is much more collaborative."

He’s also had opportunities to develop leadership skills.

"I’ve stepped into a more senior role, leading investigations and mentoring graduates. In the UK, I might have had to wait seven or eight years for that kind of progression. Here, there’s a real pathway for growth."

A day in the life – behind the scenes of a contamination scientist

A typical day for Ciaran varies between site work and office-based analysis.

"If I’m on-site, I’ll head out around 7 or 8am, overseeing remediation projects and making real-time decisions. In the office, my day is more analytical — report writing, data interpretation, and collaborating with the team."

Challenges are part of the job, but he embraces them.

"You can do all the planning in the world, but the moment you break ground, things can change. Dealing with client expectations and problem-solving on the fly keeps things interesting."

For Ciaran, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing tangible results.

"I love that I can take a site from an initial contamination concern through to remediation, then get the data at the end showing we’ve made a real environmental impact. That’s incredibly satisfying."

The big move – how relocating to Perth was life-changing

Adjusting to life in Perth was smoother than expected, thanks to its laid-back culture and outdoor lifestyle.

"I was worried about how different it would be, but the biggest adjustment wasn’t what I expected—it’s how relaxed everything is. At first, I found it strange that people don’t rush, but now I love it. It makes for a much less stressful life."

Ciaran says the work-life balance is night and day compared to the UK.

"I used to feel like I was constantly on the go. Here, I can finish work and actually switch off. There’s time to enjoy where I live."

More than just a job – living the WA lifestyle

From Scarborough Beach to weekend trips down south, Ciaran has fully embraced the WA lifestyle.

"I live two minutes from the beach and go surfing or paddleboarding all the time. The weather is unbeatable—around ten months of perfect blue skies. It’s just a completely different way of life."

He’s also explored beyond Perth, taking road trips down to Esperance, Albany, Denmark, and Margaret River, as well as heading north to Broome for work.

"The landscape here is stunning. WA has so much to offer, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface."

Even the cost of living has been a pleasant surprise.

"Rent is cheaper than what I paid in the UK, but I’m getting way more for my money. Groceries are about the same, fuel is cheaper, and salaries are significantly higher. Financially, it just makes sense."

Thinking about making the move? Here’s what you need to know

For scientists in the UK or elsewhere considering a move to Perth, Ciaran has one piece of advice: just do it.

"If you have the opportunity to move, take it. The lifestyle is better, the career progression is great, and the financial benefits are real. There’s no reason not to. The Australian system of risk assessment for contaminated sites is very similar to that used in the UK and Ireland, the similarity has made slotting into an existing team so much easier."

His biggest tip for a smooth relocation?

"Decide early if you want to make it a permanent move, as visas take planning. And find a good temporary place when you first arrive—it makes everything easier."

And does he see himself ever going back to the UK?

"I don’t think so. Perth is home now."