Marine biologist

You would study ocean animals, plants and ecosystems to increase our knowledge and understanding of the environment, genetics, and animal or plant biology.

The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and is the habitat of 230,000 known species, although much of the ocean’s depths remain unexplored. You could work on research projects to observe and better understand ocean animals, plants and ecosystems, projects to protect and conserve sealife or to develop and manage marine resources.

Marine life is a valuable resource for human beings, providing food, medicine, and many different raw materials. It also helps to support recreation and tourism all over the world.

It’s a very wide field to work in. You could choose to study microscopic organisms such as plankton or huge cetaceans - whales. Marine life includes fish, mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates that rely on the ocean to survive. Or you could focus on studying the ocean’s plants, algae, fungi or coral.

There is also a huge variety of habitats where marine organisms live, from the very deep ocean, to shallow and brackish estuaries and marshes.

Depending on your area of research you might work in a laboratory or at sea; many roles will involve a mixture of both.

You would write up and publish the findings from your research. You might also present your findings at conferences or teach at a university.

Other areas of work are in conservation and sustainable management of the fish stocks or the marine environment.

• Science Career Pathways - Introduction to science careers from Cogent, the skills body for science industries

• Scottish Association for Marine Science

• Natural Environment Research Council

• National Oceanography Centre - Education and academic studies

• Marine Biological Association - learning resources

• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology - Careers information from international bod for marine professionals