Making relevant contacts through LinkedIn, Twitter, volunteering, careers fairs and your university department can also be a great way in. Marine scientists are employed by marine research institutes, universities, international organisations, commercial companies, government agencies and not-for-profit organisations. 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. Jobs may be advertised on university and marine institute websites, as well as on the websites of major companies. Specialist environmental recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. Marine biology is an ever-evolving field so continuous professional development in relevant research, technical and practical skills is a key part of the work.
It also evidences your commitment, passion and drive. Training courses and workshops are offered by organisations such as the Marine Biological Association and the Institute of Marine, Science and 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. There are opportunities to undertake research and gain a PhD if you don't already have one.
For a research career, you'll need to present research and papers at conferences, get published in peer-reviewed journals and apply for research grants. You can also stay abreast of marine news and developments through magazines such as The Marine Biologist , online publications such as Science Daily and New Scientist and following marine biologists on social media.
Some areas of marine biology lack a clearly defined promotional structure and career development will depend on a combination of commitment, hard work and establishing appropriate contacts in your chosen field. A 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 rate of growth within the field. If you're following an academic career, the usual starting point is obtaining a doctorate before moving on to research assistant, lecturer, fellow and professor, with deanship being the highest post.
Most marine biologists will have to undertake a number of short to mid-term contracts before becoming eligible to apply for a lecturing position, with success dependent on your research, teaching and publications. The timeline to professorship can be quite short depending on how novel your research is, your international reputation and your ability to bring in income and develop a research group. Jobs and work experience Search graduate jobs Job profiles Work experience and internships Employer profiles What job would suit me?
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What can I do with my degree? Getting a job CVs and cover letters. Applying for jobs Interview tips Open days and events. Choosing a course Getting into university Student loans and finance. University life Changing or leaving your course Alternatives to university. Log in Register. Ecology Project International is a wonderful resource for high school students considering a career in marine biology. Undergraduate degree programs in marine biology are comprised of required and elective courses.
Mandatory coursework includes general biology, cell biology, ecology, and evolution. Electives, which allow students to concentrate on particular areas of interest, might include mammal biology, vertebrae zoology, tropical ecosystems, fish ecology, aquaculture, biotechnology, environmental biology, molecular biology, toxicology, and species-specific biology.
The study of statistical analysis is also a vital part of curricula, as the extrapolation of collected data to accurately predict growth and decline in marine populations is a major component of the work of marine biologists. Some universities do not offer a major in marine biology.
It is therefore quite common for individuals pursuing the field to major in general biology or zoology. These paid or unpaid programs are often offered in the summer and allow students to earn some college credit while working at a marine laboratory, biological research station, marine science lab, or marine center. To apply for an internship, students typically need to have completed at least one or two years of their undergraduate studies.
The Columbia University Department of Biology maintains an expansive, though not exhaustive, list of ocean-related internships. Earthwatch Institute offers volunteer field research and expedition learning experiences.
Most successful marine biologists will tell you that a masters or a Ph. Students who pursue a graduate degree must narrow their focus to a more specific area of marine biology, such as marine mammals or plant life or coral reefs. Curricula at the master's level typically include instruction in research and lab methods, research equipment, and professional science writing.
The best way to discover a passion for marine biology is to spend as much time as possible engaging in related activities. This includes volunteering for biology-related projects such as animal counts or environmental clean ups. It is also wise to look for work experience in anything biology-related including aquariums, animal sanctuaries and zoos. Students should study biology, chemistry, physics, geology and ecology, ideally earning a biology or marine biology degree.
Seek internships and research opportunities. These can help a candidate determine areas of specialization and get employment after college. Choose a school with a good biology program. Universities that offer opportunities for specialization in marine biology are valuable. This career stage can be a good time to gain specialized experience such as focusing on a species, region or even job function.
Possible employers at this level include government agencies, labs, research organizations and labs. A marine biology PhD is often required for high-level jobs such as college-level instruction, program team leadership or independent research director.
Marine biologists have a many possible careers and can work in an exciting range of environments. For example, marine biologists work in field research, teaching, hydrology, science writing and universities.
Work environments can include everything from research vessels to aquariums and zoos to laboratories, classrooms and offices. A day in the life of a marine biologist will vary entirely upon their job.
List goals and parameters of study including what is to be studied, how long, how it will be studied, whether the animals will be in natural or controlled surroundings, how much the study will cost, and other specifics. For marine biologists, sample collection may be underwater, collected over extended time periods. To manage the data, samples must be organized carefully according to study parameters. Marine biologists could be marking samples to show when they were collected, how they were acquired, what they are, and any other salient information.
Biologists log the data they collect into computer systems and then engage in analyzing it. This can mean examining it to ensure it is complete, cleaning and correcting it, and modeling it with the goal of discovering useful information or suggesting conclusions.
A researcher marine biologist will probably conduct a quantity of lab experiments. The goal will be to discover a fact or demonstrate a general truth. The biologist will alter factors under controlled conditions to study the results. Experiments will be carefully documented and, if a fact is proven, repeated.
Experiments can be ongoing, without immediate, obvious results. Marine biologists might be conducting many experiments at once. Daily actions will include monitoring previous experiments and modifying them according to the study plan.
Data-driven research papers are vital to communicating findings and securing future funding for projects. Scientists are often expected to present their conclusions or the results of their experiments. Effective presentations will include illustrations, salient facts and conclusions. Biologists must be able to observe and note even small changes in animal behavior , characteristics or appearances. Marine biologists perform much of their research work outside, in close proximity to bodies of water.
Marine biologists should be comfortable on and in water, know basic safety protocols, and be able to handle research equipment and tools. Work environments may require periods of relative isolation, irregular schedules, and long hours. Biologists must be good communicators.
Their work may require them to write scientific papers, speak to policy makers, the public and to students.
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