The sea, the cradle of primordial life from which life first evolved, is now being threatened by the recklessness of one form of that life. Marine Biologists, regardless of their scope of research, are the wise souls who appreciate the world’s finest wilderness that lies beneath the waves. Understanding ... Continue Reading
USA 
UK 
Explore Career What are the typical responsibilities of a Marine Biologist?
A Marine Biologist would typically need to:
Marine Biologists work in offices, laboratories, and outdoors.
Depending on your job and interests, you may spend considerable time in the field gathering data and studying marine life in its natural habitats. You may scuba dive for mussels one morning and spend the afternoon observing them in your lab, recording data, and conducting computerized statistical analysis by comparing previous scientific studies.
Other days, you might find yourself working in a tide pool, a swamp, a mangrove forest, a coral reef, or any other place on earth that supports marine life.
You may, however, choose to spend less time in the field, preferring to teach undergraduate students at university or guide postgraduate students in their research. While university work is largely office and lab-based, it may require many short or long-term expeditions abroad.
Marine Biologists view travel to exciting places far and near to study nature firsthand as a career perk. Opportunities to work overseas are common, either through a permanent or semi-permanent posting abroad or in roles that require travel to visit research sites.
Fieldwork contracts are usually between 40 - 50 hours a week. However, as a Marine Biologist, the tide may influence your hours, as will the nature of the project, and you may need to get an early start or even work 24 hours.
If you prefer structured hours, you could work for a university, consultancy, or an NGO, although this may vary if you are working with academics on particular projects.
You will find some flexibility in research work that is self-managed, whether you are a postdoctoral fellow or a professor. However, given that grants typically fund projects, research jobs are often based on short-term contracts (12-24 months).
You will find that part-time work is also a feasible option.
Academic roles could include research assistants, research fellows, lecturers, and professors. Some employers, especially academic bodies or government agencies, may employ Marine Biologists for short or long-term research projects linked to fixed-term contracts.
Laboratory work could involve working directly with the federal government, or environmental protection agencies, or on behalf of a university's research program. Nonprofit organizations are also major employers for marine biology graduates since they fund research projects for commercial products.
Jobs may be advertised on the websites of universities, marine institutes, and major companies. Specialist environmental recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. Making relevant contacts through volunteering, career fairs, and your university department can come in handy when going job hunting.
Marine Biologists are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organizations like the International Association for Biological Oceanography (IABO) are crucial for Marine Biologists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Summer camps at marine biology and marine study centers are open to kids as young as twelve years. Summer programs for high school students teach things like sailing, scuba, and marine exploration. Volunteer at a local aquarium where you can work as a docent and interact with the public.
Internships, paid and unpaid, allow students to earn some college credit while working in a marine laboratory, biological research station, marine science lab, or marine center. You need to complete at least one or two years of your undergraduate studies to be eligible.
For experience in fieldwork, look for volunteering opportunities with local wildlife trusts, marine conservation organizations, local charities, ocean clean-up organizations, sanctuaries, and rescue centers.
Attend conferences, present papers, and volunteer as a research assistant to a specialist. Volunteering with organizations such as aquariums, museums, or environmental consultancies can help build a range of skills and give you a clearer idea of your area of interest, so you make an informed choice.
With numerous opportunities available globally, stay prepared to seize one, whether paid or otherwise, and gain the experience necessary to set you apart from others. Marine biology is a gender-equal career field that embraces men and women alike.
An undergraduate who wants to keep their career options open may opt for more general-science based degrees such as geology, zoology, statistics, or computer science. A master’s in marine biology would be the perfect springboard for such candidates.
However, most aspiring Marine Biologists begin with an undergraduate degree in marine biology, marine & earth science, or oceanography. You may want to consider that an undergraduate degree in this field can fetch you only a volunteering or a semi-employed position to work on diverse science projects.
Since marine biology careers are often research-based, pursuing a postgraduate degree in subjects ranging from tropical marine biology to tropical coastal management to aquatic ecology & conservation is quite commonplace.
Doctoral degrees will prove handy, especially if you are keen on following an academic path in ocean & earth science, marine geochemistry, chemistry, oceanography, or behavioral ecology. Marine research organizations and universities offer programs where you can earn a PhD while working. You must identify a qualified mentor working in the specialist area that interests you.
Since diving plays a vital role in marine biology, promising Marine Biologists should become open-water certified and take a scientific diving course. The open water certification will help you learn basic scuba diving skills; you will receive a relevant scuba diver certificate.
With its focus on the physics and physiology of diving, the scientific diving course will teach you first aid, dive rescue, and how to use diving to perform your research.
Marine Biology is a learning and research field; most Marine Biologists would probably coordinate with universities and other educational institutions. You may begin as a Research Assistant before moving on to Lecturer, Fellow, and Professor, with Deanship being the crowning glory.
You will have to undertake several short to mid-term contracts before becoming eligible to apply for a lecturing position, with success dependent on research, teaching, and publications. The timeline to professorship depends on how novel your research is, your reputation worldwide, your ability to bring in income and develop a research group.
There are many careers that Marine Biologists can branch into, from Marine Biotechnologist, Oceanographer, Aquarist, Hydrologist to Ichthyologist, Marine Mammalogist, Fishery Biologist. However, some areas of Marine Biology lack a clearly defined promotional structure; career development will depend on a combination of commitment, hard work, and establishing appropriate contacts in your chosen field.
Marine Biologists may face intense competition when looking for employment. Applicants with practical experience gained through internships, summer jobs, or volunteer work done before or shortly after graduation should have better employment chances.
Continuing professional development is the holistic commitment of Marine Biologists towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.
There are many CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field. Courses vary depending on your area of expertise. They can include species identification, survey skills, practical skills for marine scientists, GIS and other specialist software, environmental impact assessments, and the use of acoustic and seismic technology.
Training opportunities vary between employers, and you should find out the nature of training provision and opportunities for professional development when applying for jobs.
CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables Marine Biologists to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism.
Marine Biology is an ever-evolving field. You can expect support and additional training from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience enhancing researchers’ skills. In partnership with governments, funders of research, academies, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.
You will need to present research findings and papers at conferences, get published in peer-reviewed journals, and apply for research grants. Under-water research expeditions will need hands-on, practical, analytical, and decision-making skills from you.
Employers may provide training in boat handling and crewing, sea survival, firefighting, first aid, health & safety, risk assessment, and the use of heavy lifting equipment.
Willingness to relocate is vital in the early stages of your career, and you may need to make a series of lateral moves to gain experience and establish contacts. Your ability to create and seize opportunities will have a decisive bearing on your growth rate within the field.
Stay abreast of marine news and developments through professional publications and by following eminent colleagues on social media.
Marine Biologists currently investigate nearly every saltwater body on earth, from the Caribbean Sea to the Arctic Ocean. Their main aim in studying and analyzing ocean ecology and aquatic life is to improve human understanding of the marine world to understand and predict changes in ecosystems affected by human and natural disturbances.
Dive into Some Realities
More often than not, Marine Biologists chance on mesmerizing marine life, but that does not discount the fact that they spend long and tedious hours doing primary research in the field, poring over administrative work in the office, drafting research reports, and funding proposals.
Working in the field can be fascinating but frustrating as well, requiring large doses of patience. You may spend months on board a research vessel or on a remote island and return without useful data because you did not sight the creature you awaited.
Gear up to be a lifelong learner if you aspire to be a Marine Biologist and if you want to stay on top of rapid scientific developments in the field. You will even come to marvel at chemistry and math formulae.
Of course, there are choices to make - water vs. lab, underwater breathing apparatus vs. an open window. However, be aware that Marine Biologists spend more time warm and dry at their laptop than in a wetsuit. Databases, statistics, and Excel spreadsheets will likely occupy your attention and time as your work thrives on collecting and analyzing data.
Travel does not come in equal measures with all types of work as a Marine Biologist. It would depend on what type of marine life you study and where. Little travel is needed for lab work or work at a zoo or aquarium unless a research project requires it. Of course, if you must study whale migration or conduct marine research, you would likely be out and about at sea for extended periods.
Diverse Specializations
Marine Biology is more than the study of dolphins and whales, as laypersons might believe. Instead, it boasts an extraordinary range of areas of study - from habitats to microscopic life to gigantic mammals. Marine biologists also study invasive species and toxic algae. Very few students end up working with marine mammals. There are diverse careers that Marine Biologists can branch into.
Marine Biotechnologists
Marine Biotechnologists make practical and effective use of aquatic plants and animals, including microorganisms, to develop various products, technologies, and industrial processes. Its diverse applications range from extracting new cancer treatments to seaweed farming.
Oceanographers (Biological, Physical, Chemical, and Geological)
Biological Oceanographers examine marine species of plants, microbes, and animals and review how ocean contamination can affect them. In addition to studying life forms and ecosystems, they examine the impact of external factors on life forms and relationships in the ocean.
Physical Oceanographers study the ocean's attributes (temperature, salinity, waves, currents, and tides) to understand ocean circulation patterns and fluid motion.
Chemical Oceanographers examine the chemical composition of the ocean and its interaction with the environment. Overly unbalanced chemical composition can drastically impact ecology as many plants and animals cannot flourish in too high or too low acidity levels.
Geological/Geophysical Oceanographers research the ocean floor using geophysical technologies to examine the makeup of the ocean bedrock and the processes of rock movement. Many take up fossil fuel prospecting (searching for new oil and gas pockets) and understanding how subaquatic tectonic plates work.
Aquarists
Aquarists care for marine life in aquariums by feeding and observing them and maintaining their living environments. They keep the water and tanks clean and at the right temperature, sometimes fixing damaged equipment.
Hands-on interactions with the fish and other underwater creatures help Aquarists detect injury or illness indications and capture sick animals for veterinary checks. Aquarists may also educate the public or design aquarium exhibits. They may travel to other locations to collect specimens for the aquarium.
Hydrologists
Hydrologists analyze water resources and study the surface and underground waters’ distribution, circulation, and physical properties. They typically specialize in rivers, oceans, or groundwater and often help environmental scientists preserve and clean up the environment.
Using computer prediction models, Hydrologists study water properties such as the effects of erosion, pollution, or the cycles of water flow. They may also present proposals to the government or the public for wastewater systems, hydroelectric power, or sustainable uses of irrigation and share reports on any findings.
Ichthyologists
An Ichthyologist studies the behavior, developmental patterns, and reproductive habits of all fish species. Some work in museums and educate the public about fish species and conservation.
When working out in the field, Ichthyologists collect samples, measure, and record data. They then examine and record their specimen findings in the lab. If they come across new types of fish, they may even name a new species.
Marine Mammalogists
Marine Mammalogists study the behavior and habits of marine mammals. They may specialize in cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walrus), manatees, or other aquatic mammals (polar bears and sea otters).
Marine mammalogy covers history (the study of how a species lives), taxonomy and systematics (the study of their classification and evolution), anatomy and physiology, ethology (behavior), and ecology (how they interact with their environment).
Marine Mammalogists may work in research, education, training, or rehabilitation. Or they could dive deeper into an aspect of a specific species, such as the behavioral interactions of whales (cetology).
Fishery Biologists
Fishery Biologists study fish to balance the number of endangered and overpopulated species and conserve natural habitats. By understanding how fish respond to diseases, they hope to find adequate medical treatments for humans.
Given that urban development and industry generate waste that can harm fish habitats, Fisher Biologists also study the relationship between the environment and fish life cycles.
Marine Biology is not merely about balmy beaches, encountering exotic sea life, or diving into crystal clear tropical waters warmed by the summer sun. Marine Biologists may also need to work out in the field during monsoons and dive into the cold and stormy waters of the Arctic, the Baltic, and the Irish Sea. They are inspired to conserve the oceans and ultimately save the planet because that’s what people should do - protect what they love.
No water. No life. No blue. No green. The greatest danger to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
Although the oceans cover 71% of our planet’s surface, much remains to be explored and discovered in the ocean world. Less than 10% of the marine world has been explored to date.
What do Marine Biologists do?
A Marine Biologist would typically need to:
Accredited
$81,350
.jpg)
