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Marine Biologist
Biology

How to become a Marine Biologist

What does a Marine Biologist do?

Think your perfect career lies at the bottom of the ocean? If you’re looking to become a Marine Biologist, it probably does…

Marine Biologists research and study the sea, observing the effects it has on plants, animals, land, and the atmosphere. Their research helps them to learn about future changes within the earth’s structure, inform government laws, and prevent harm to the environment.

They could work for government agencies, private companies, and industry organisations, and be based in sea-going vessels (when conducting fieldwork), as well as in an office or a laboratory. Other Marine Biologists work for zoos and aquariums, where they specialise in studying marine animals and their habitats.

Typical responsibilities for a Marine Biologist might include:

  • Planning new research and managing budgets
  • Designing equipment and conducting experiments
  • Using technical processes to collect marine samples
  • Using specialist software to record, compile, and study data
  • Analysing findings
  • Testing new theories and concepts
  • Creating presentations and publishing papers to share findings

Is a career as a Marine Biologist right for me?

Aside from a genuine interest in biology and oceanography, you’ll also need to be patient, determined, and able to use your creativity and scientific mind to effectively plan and carry out experiments.

Because the job is so varied, you’ll additionally need to be flexible with your working hours and location - whether you’re based in an office, in a lab, in an aquarium, at sea, or beyond.

Those who aren’t big fans of open water need not apply…

A Marine Biologist will also need to be:

  • Creative
  • Inquisitive
  • Analytical
  • Meticulous
  • Methodical
  • A good communicator
  • Logically and mathematically minded

Explore your opportunities

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Marine Biologist

1

Junior Marine Biologist

| Up to £22,000
2

Marine Biologist

| Up to £30,000
3

Senior Marine Biologist

| Up to £60,000

Get qualified as a Marine Biologist

You’ll need a degree in a relevant subject to get started as a Marine Biologist. Similar courses or program offerings will also be beneficial. However, if you gain more advanced qualifications such as a Masters or a PhD, you’ll greatly improve your chances of being considered.

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What's it like to be a Marine Biologist?

"For me, the best part of what I do is the fieldwork. I get to be practical and get my hands dirty (literally), and each new project brings something fresh and exciting – that I then get to analyse and study. Aside from the pros of constantly learning and using my findings to support environmental protection (and further research), there are also tough parts of the job. Funding isn’t always easy to secure, and I do a lot of public speaking, which can be slightly overwhelming too – but when it’s something you’re really passionate about, it’s not so daunting. Even if the smell can be sometimes…"

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