Marine biologist

Marine biology is the study of organisms and ecosystems in the oceans and other saltwater environments. This includes marine plants, animals (both vertebrate and vertebrate) and other organisms - in deep oceans, shallow seas, coastal habitats and the laboratory.

The main aims of marine biology are to improve understanding of the marine world and to understand and predict changes in ecosystems affected by human and natural disturbances.

Marine biology is a broad interdisciplinary field, with marine biologists working across and integrating different scientific areas. Your work could involve fieldwork, academic research, laboratory work, consultancy, charity work, outreach or policy.

Types of marine biologist

Job titles range from:

• marine ecologist
• dive operations manager
• reef restoration project manager
• marine biology technician
• research assistant
• aquaculture biologist
• fishery data manager
• environmental engineer
• professor in marine ecology
• postdoctoral research fellow
• oil spill response specialist
• consultant in marine ecology
• marine biotechnologist
• marine policy expert
• marine conservation officer.

Most roles require strong technical, research and scientific skills, and you'll usually specialise as you progress. For example, you could specialise in areas such as coastal management, reef ecology, invertebrate biodiversity, fisheries biology or marine pollution.

Responsibilities

Depending on the area of marine biology you work in, you may need to:

• conduct species surveys and inventories
• test and monitor sea creatures exposed to pollutants
• collect samples through coring techniques, water collection, physical organism collection and visual recording
• analyse and interpret data using statistical software to answer research questions, monitor populations or recommend new conservation methods
• map and analyse spatial data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, and analyse biological and water chemistry samples in a lab
• preserve specimens and samples of unknown species and diseases and map the distribution, ranges or movements of marine populations
• communicate the latest advances in marine science to inform and advise the public, governments, agencies, and commercial organisations
• develop conservation strategies for the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems
• carry out environmental impact assessments
• interview local divers, fishers and stakeholders about animal behaviour and local marine practices
• lecture or teach, in a subject such as biology, conservation, policy, or planning and management of marine activities
• develop, implement and manage projects relating to the marine environment
• project-manage, coordinate and track assignments, budgets and deliverables
• manage existing and new projects at a senior level within or outside an academic setting
• write grant proposals and carry out contract negotiations, marketing and business development activities
• keep up to date with new research and technologies and attend training courses
• liaise with colleagues across the field including fellow research staff, technicians, ships' crews and research assistants.

Salary

• Entry-level salaries start from £12,000 for research field assistant positions abroad, up to £14,000 for apprentice lab technicians and £30,000 for consultancy work.
• Experienced marine biologists working in the field are paid in accordance with local salaries. Salaries for PhD holders are between £26,000 and £35,000, although some marine laboratories and research organisations pay on a university lecturer scale between £28,000 and £47,000 a year (the scale for postdoctoral research positions).
• In a senior marine biologist role, including those in research, consultancy, government, NGOs or teaching, you can expect to earn up to around £45,000.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours vary according to your area of work.

Fieldwork contracts are usually between 40 and 50 hours a week although the exact hours are project specific and may be dictated by the tide or be seasonal. This may mean some early starts and 24-hour days on field trips.

If you work for a university, consultancy or NGO, your hours are often more structured, although this may vary if you're working with academics on specific projects.

If you're a postdoctoral research fellow or professor, you can usually be very flexible with your schedule because you're managing your own research. However, research jobs are typically offered on short fixed-term contracts (between 6 and 36 months), often funded by grants, which can create pressure to meet deadlines and publish results.

Part-time work is also available.

What to expect

• University work is usually office and lab-based, although these roles may include UK field site visits or short to long-term expeditions abroad.
• There are plenty of opportunities to work all around the world, either living abroad long-term or with occasional or regular field visits overseas.
• Fieldwork can be arduous. You might be diving or working at sea on vessels in difficult weather conditions.
• Academic research can involve extensive time analysing data and writing publications and grants. You'll need to consider the balance between fieldwork, lab work, data analysis and writing that you seek.
• Marine biology is a gender-equal career field.

Qualifications

To become a marine biologist, you'll need to study a marine-focused degree such as:

• marine biology
• marine biology and coastal ecology/oceanography
• marine science
• ocean and earth science
• oceanography.

If your undergraduate degree is a broader-based science degree, choosing marine-focused modules and thesis topics can help you acquire specialist knowledge and experience.

Careers in marine biology are often research based, and while it's possible to study a marine biology undergraduate degree and go straight into volunteering or a semi-employed position on a conservation science project, postgraduate study is common. This is because many job roles require deeper knowledge and research experience.

Understanding the skills and knowledge requirements of job roles you're interested in can help when selecting the right postgraduate degree option. For example, selecting Masters programmes with policy-focused modules or research groups if seeking roles in organisations influencing policymakers.

Postgraduate degrees specialising in marine biology range from a Masters in tropical marine biology to tropical coastal management and aquatic ecology and conservation. You can also take broader biology-focused Masters but select modules, thesis, and research projects focusing on marine biology.

If you're an undergraduate who wants to keep their career options open, you may prefer to study a more general science-based undergraduate degree and then take a Masters later on, to avoid specialising too early.

PhDs can also be advantageous, particularly if you're following an academic or research-focused path in ocean and earth science, marine geochemistry or chemistry oceanography and behavioural ecology. PhD opportunities are available through marine research organisations and universities, and you may be able to undertake your studies on a part-time basis while working. It's important to identify a supervisor working in the specialist area that interests you.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) provides NERC PhD studentships. These are awarded directly to universities and other research organisations, so you'll apply directly to the institution you're interested in if you're looking for funding.

You can find advertised PhD projects through university websites, social media, and on websites such as FindAPhD. You may also apply for independent scholarships or fellowships from universities or research councils allowing you to conduct your own research project.

Qualifications such as awards, certificates, and diplomas can also be acquired through universities and further education institutions, allowing you to acquire specific specialist skills e.g. in data analysis or Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Professional bodies for your career of interest also provide training and certification for skills, e.g. field surveying and species identification qualifications via the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Entry without a degree is possible in seagoing technician and scientific support roles.

Skills

Depending on your area of expertise, you'll need:

• accuracy and attention to detail, for recording observations and results
• excellent problem-solving skills to find solutions to problems
• research skills like designing experiments, collecting and analysing data as well as publishing results
• teamwork skills, whether working as part of a research team in a laboratory or an expedition team at sea
• observation skills for studying sea life for long periods of time
• a methodical and analytical mind for analysing and interpreting data
• computational skills for data analysis or GIS software for mapping habitats
• strong communication skills for report writing, academic publications, press releases, grant applications, environmental impact assessments, conference presentations and standing out in job applications
• practical skills, such as diving, boat driving and first aid
• flexibility to deal with possible short-term work contracts, in other countries and in basic living conditions and all types of weather.

Work experience

Getting work or voluntary experience is strongly advised. If you're interested in research, ask lecturers, technicians or PhD students whether you can assist with their projects. Apply for research internships with your institution or other organisations. You could also attend conferences, present papers and volunteer as a research assistant.

Speculative applications to aquariums, museums, marine consultancies and charities can help you build skills and explore different areas before specialising.

For fieldwork, consider volunteering with wildlife trusts, marine conservation groups, charities, ocean clean-up organisations or rescue centres. Joining university societies or groups and keeping a record of all field trips and voluntary work is also useful.

Becoming a student member of a professional body such as the Marine Biological Association (MBA) gives you access to training, resources and networking opportunities.
Making contacts through LinkedIn, volunteering, careers fairs and your university department can also help you find opportunities.

Employers

Marine scientists are employed by marine research institutes, universities, international organisations, commercial companies, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations.

Examples include:

• energy, oil and gas exploration firms involved in marine energy
• fisheries and aquaculture organisations
• engineering companies
• marine environmental surveying consultancies
• marine conservation and environmental consultancies
• pollution and water control companies
• statutory environmental protection agencies; find a list of government bodies and agencies responsible for nature conservation at Sustainability Exchange
• public bodies, such as the Marine Management Organisation
• marine research laboratories and agencies; check the list of national governmental agencies that deal with the oceans and the law of the sea at the UN's Division for Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea
• charities, NGOs and other not-for-profit organisations such as Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, WWF, Earthwatch.org (UK-based), WildAid and Greenpeace
• universities - UK universities leading in marine biology include Bangor, Plymouth, Southampton, St. Andrews, Aberdeen and Liverpool.
• environmental research institutes
• museums and aquariums
• environmental and conservation charities
• wildlife trusts
• environmental research councils, such as NERC.

Some employers, especially academic bodies or government agencies, may employ marine biologists to undertake a short or long-term research project, linked to a fixed-term contract.

Opportunities to work overseas are common, either through a permanent or semi-permanent posting abroad or where overseas travel to visit research sites makes up a significant portion of your role.

Look for job vacancies at:

• CIEEM
• Earthworks-jobs.com
• Environment Jobs
• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
• Jobs.ac.uk
• Nature Jobs
• Wise Oceans - marine-specific recruitment platform.

Jobs may be advertised on university, marine institute and NGO websites.

Professional development

Marine biology is an evolving field, so continuing professional development (CPD) in research, technical and practical skills is important.

Training courses and workshops are offered by organisations such as the MBA, Institute of Marine, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Field Studies Council and CIEEM.

Membership of a professional body provides networking, resources and career support. The MBA and IMarEST both offer membership levels you can progress through.

Training opportunities vary between employers, so check what’s available when applying for roles. You may receive in-house training or access to external courses.
Some employers may support further research, including PhD study. Academic careers typically involve presenting at conferences, publishing in journals and applying for research grants.

You can stay up to date with developments through publications such as The Marine Biologist, Science Daily, New Scientist, and by following marine scientists on social media.

Career prospects

Some areas of marine biology lack a clearly defined promotional structure, so progression depends on your experience, contacts and willingness to seize opportunities. Relocating early in your career can increase your chances of gaining

In charities, NGOs, advisory bodies and other organisations, there may be clearer progression from entry-level roles to management and strategic positions, depending on your specialist skills and experience.

Academic careers usually begin with a doctorate, followed by postdoctoral researcher, lecturer, fellow and professor. Senior academic roles involve more administration, leadership and research strategy.

Most marine biologists will complete several short- to mid-term contracts before securing a permanent academic post, with success depending on research output, teaching and publications. Progression to more senior roles can be relatively quick if you develop a strong research profile and international reputation.