Marine Biologist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a marine biologist. Feel free to use our marine biologist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a marine biologist.
Who is a Marine Biologist?
Marine biologists are scientists who specialize in the study of marine plants and animals.
If you’ve ever seen a globe, you’re aware of its abundance of blue. Why? Oceans cover approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface! When one considers the thousands upon thousands of different species of fish, aquatic mammals, and plants that inhabit the world’s oceans, one begins to appreciate the vastness of the field of marine biology.
Indeed, the job title “marine biologist” is held by an extremely small number of people worldwide. The term “marine biologist” is simply too broad, as the majority of marine biologists work in highly specialized fields.
Therefore, in addition to being a marine biologist, an individual may be a marine mammologist, biological technician, marine conservationist, ichthyologist, or even a systems analyst, mathematician, economist, or sociologist. There are even individuals who concentrate exclusively on the chemical and physical properties of oceans, such as hydrologists and oceanographers.
Marine biologists can specialize in a variety of different aspects of the oceans and the life they support. Along with aquatic plants and animals, marine biologists may study ocean currents, how human behaviors affect the oceans, and how ocean environments may produce medicinal plants and animals.
Certain individuals pursue careers in marine biology to work with marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. Marine biologists, on the other hand, rarely handle marine mammals in the wild. If you’re interested in training dolphins, working with whales, or caring for other captive marine animals, you might consider becoming a zookeeper or pursuing a related field of zoology and finding work at an aquarium or zoo.
Marine biologists frequently divide their time between field and laboratory work. Working in a field environment, such as the ocean, a beach, or a brackish estuary, is a distinct advantage of being a marine biologist. However, analyzing collected data and determining the next steps in a study are typically reserved for a laboratory.
These scientists typically research living organisms such as fish, marine mammals, plants, and microorganisms. The majority of marine biologists hold advanced degrees, such as master’s or doctoral degrees, due to the length of time required to prepare for marine fieldwork.
Marine biologists can specialize in a variety of areas, including the study of a particular species or region, or a particular branch of science, such as oceanography or chemical biology. Among the roles that marine biologists may play are the following:
- Ecology
- Operation of dives
- Management of projects
- Restoring the reef
- Research and management of data
- Engineering of the environment
- Teaching\sConsulting
- Biotechnology
Typical tasks of marine biologists include the study of marine organisms, the collection of biological samples, the analysis of specimens or data, and the writing of reports. The majority of researchers employ instruments or technological devices to replicate, record, model, or monitor their research.
They care for marine animal life in zoos or aquariums and observe their reactions to their environment and behavioral patterns. They assess the needs of marine animals to ensure their health and well-being.
Some marine biologists collect specimens while scuba diving. They may study larger marine animals such as sharks, whales, and seals, as well as less visible sea life such as sea coral.
Certain marine biologists may specialize in the complex chemical makeup of marine toxins and their impact on the environment, or the impact of weather on sea life. Typically, these marine biologists work in collaboration with other scientists, engineers, technicians, and environmental agencies. They would consult with and assist in the restoration of damaged marine ecosystems, advocate for or assist with environmental compliance, and assist with fisheries management or the coast guard. Some marine biologists teach at universities or colleges or work as consultants for a variety of organizations, including the government.
While becoming a marine biologist is a competitive field, gaining practical experience before graduation can be beneficial. Numerous employees work full-time and in a variety of shifts. They frequently conduct scientific research in the field, on ships, beaches, or even on salt marshes. Certain marine biologists may also conduct studies and research in laboratories, where they observe and record animals in tanks or examine microscopic organisms. Check out the career video to see what a typical day in the life of a marine biologist is like.
While many marine biologists have an undergraduate degree in marine biology or a related science followed by postgraduate study, the key to breaking into this career is relevant experience, whether voluntary or paid. Given the high level of competition for jobs, seizing opportunities to expand your skillset and demonstrate your commitment is critical.
Marine Biologist Job Description
Below are the marine biologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a marine biologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a marine biologist include the following:
- Examining research and published materials
- Collecting data and samples for analysis in the field
- Observing and studying organisms and their behavior
- Analyzing organisms in their natural ocean habitat
- Tracking and quantifying organisms
- Analyzing the health of various components of the marine environment and assisting in the restoration of damaged ecosystems
- Developing predictive data through the use of computer modeling
- Providing consultancy services for programs aimed at monitoring pollution
- Cooperating with and assisting coast guard units
- Advising agencies and enforcing regulations to monitor ecosystems
- Developing grant proposals to fund research
- Creating scientific publications
- Reporting findings from research
- Facilitating a collaborative environment characterized by open communication
- Educating policymakers and stakeholders about research findings
- Identifying the legislative and regulatory jurisdictions
- Creating and coordinating project scopes of work
- Calculating project budgets and schedules
- Creating environmental impact statements and assessments
- Carrying out species inventories, testing, and surveillance of sea creatures exposed to pollutants
- Sampling and data collection
- Utilizing techniques such as coring, geographic information systems (GIS), visual documentation, and sampling
- Analyzing samples in a laboratory and generating new research hypotheses
- Conserving specimens and samples of unknown species and diseases and mapping marine populations’ distributions, ranges, and movements
- Educating the public, governments, agencies, and commercial organizations about the latest advances in marine science
- Assessing the environmental impact assessing the likely environmental consequences of a proposed project or development
- Conducting in-depth interviews with local divers, fishermen, and stakeholders to learn about animal behavior and indigenous marine practices
- Lecturing or instructing on marine policy, planning, and management
- Developing, implementing, and managing marine-related projects
- Maintaining current knowledge of new research and technologies and attending training courses; communicating with colleagues in the field, including fellow researchers, technicians, ship’s crews, and research assistants.
- Conducting experiments in a laboratory
- Conducting database searches
- Organizing and conducting field experiments Using specialized software for research and analysis
- Observing marine animals, plants, and microorganisms
- Conducting research experiments in a laboratory setting with the assistance of specialized equipment
- Collecting samples of water, plants, and microorganisms for laboratory research
- Researching various marine animal species and their ecosystems
- Concentrating on one aspect of marine biology, such as ichthyology, marine biotechnology, or marine ecology
- Understanding different marine environments require knowledge of geological oceanography.
- Developing novel strategies for marine conservation and environmental sustainability
- Providing medical care to marine animals that are ill or injured
- Examining fish populations to determine their migration and reproductive patterns
- Producing scientific reports and papers to communicate their findings to the general public
- Compiling research data from other scientists in marine biology subcategories
- Delivering talks and presentations to the public at museums and educational institutions to raise awareness of marine life
Qualifications
To become a marine biologist, you’ll need a degree with a marine emphasis, such as:
- Marine Biology
- Zoology and coastal ecology/oceanography
- Oceanography
If your undergraduate degree is in a broad-based science, you will almost certainly require a postgraduate degree in a field related to marine science.
Marine biology careers are frequently research-based, and while it is possible to complete an undergraduate degree in marine biology and immediately begin volunteering or working in a part-time capacity on a conservation science project, postgraduate study is more common.
Postgraduate degrees include tropical marine biology master’s degrees, tropical coastal management master’s degrees, and aquatic ecology and conservation master’s degrees. If you’re an undergraduate who wants to keep your career options open, you may want to pursue more general science undergraduate degrees and then a master’s degree to avoid early specialization.
PhDs can also be advantageous, especially if you plan to pursue an academic career in the ocean and earth science, marine geochemistry, or chemistry oceanography and behavioral ecology. Ph.D. programs are available through marine research organizations and universities, and you may be able to work and study part-time while pursuing your studies. It is critical to identify a supervisor who works in the specialty area in which you are interested.
NERC Ph.D. studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). These are awarded directly to universities and other research organizations, so if you’re looking for funding, you’ll apply directly to the institution you’re interested in.
Essential Skills
- Capability to solve problems through reasoning
- Research and analytical skills
- Capability to swim and dive
- Adaptable to a wide variety of physical environments
- Perceptive and superior observation abilities
- Enthusiasm for work and a commitment to producing objective research findings
- Strong organizational abilities and the ability to keep meticulous records
How to Become a Marine Biologist
- Earn a bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree qualifies you for entry-level positions in marine biology. You can pursue a degree in marine biology or a closely related field such as zoology.
Throughout your undergraduate degree program, you will learn about marine biology in general and gain practical experience. The majority of bachelor’s degree programs require you to take laboratory classes, apply for internships, and pursue research opportunities. These will provide you with additional information about the profession and allow you to gain some guided experience.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, you’ll be prepared to work as an entry-level marine biologist, such as a biological laboratory technician or a research assistant for a private company, assisting them in product development. If, however, you wish to pursue more advanced work, you must continue your education.
- Completion of a master’s degree
A master’s degree is the next step toward pursuing a career as a marine biologist. Along with marine biology, you can study closely related fields such as marine conservation or biological oceanography. Consider what you want to study specifically in your career and select a master’s program that aligns with those goals.
A typical master’s degree takes about two years to complete, but it is possible to complete one in as little as 15 months in some cases. You may have the opportunity during your studies to begin specializing in a particular organism, species, or ecosystem. You will conduct extensive research and also engage in hands-on learning in your area of concentration as part of your master’s program.
Following completion of your master’s degree, you may pursue positions as an environmental scientist, zoologist, or natural science manager.
- Earn a doctorate
Numerous marine biologists aspire to conduct research and teach at a university level. If this is a goal of yours, you will need a doctoral degree. While some schools offer doctoral programs in marine biology, you can also earn a doctorate in a related field such as oceanography.
A doctorate entails extensive study and the completion of a dissertation. Exams are a required component of the doctoral program, just as they were for the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. You can anticipate spending at least three years, and possibly up to five years, in a doctoral program.
- Additional education
Generally, formal education is not required to become a marine biologist. However, certain jobs will require additional training. For instance, if you wish to work on the ocean, you may require training in boat operation and the proper handling of technical equipment on board.
Marine biologists can obtain this additional education in a variety of ways. You could do an internship during or after your studies. Additionally, you could work on research projects with established marine biologists who can train you. Finally, volunteer opportunities exist to help you develop valuable skills.
- Select a career path
Your career path is determined by your interests and the amount of education you have obtained. Consider which areas of marine biology most interest you and then investigate the career opportunities available within that specialty.
For instance, if you want to work with dolphins, you can likely obtain a job as a dolphin trainer at a zoo or aquarium with only a bachelor’s degree. However, if you wish to research the effects of climate change on dolphin habitats and behaviors, you will require a doctorate to obtain funding for your research.
Where to Work as a Marine Biologist
The job responsibilities of marine biologists have a significant impact on the work environment. Marine biologists work in a variety of settings, including universities, industrial research centers, government marine stations, aquariums, zoos, and nonprofit environmental advocacy organizations. Regardless of their role, a marine biologist typically works in one of the following settings:
- Office environment
Marine biologists who work in an office have specific responsibilities, including advising and counseling government agencies, environmental groups, and businesses.
- Laboratories
Marine biologists who work in laboratories spend their days conducting, organizing, and analyzing research. Laboratories require the handling of hazardous organic and inorganic chemicals.
- Fieldwork
Marine biologists who choose to work in a fieldwork setting perform a variety of tasks, including species identification and documentation, habitat documentation, and biological sample collection. These marine biologists are exposed to inclement weather and long hours of travel while working in the field.
Marine Biologist Salary Scale
A marine biologist’s average annual salary in the United States is $43,916.