Marine scientist : Job description

Marine scientists are involved in research, analysis and forecasts in relation to the oceans, their life forms and coastal areas. They analyse the sea and its interaction with the land, atmosphere and sea floors and use the information gained to predict changes to the earth’s infrastructure, inform statutory legislation and encourage environmental protection.

Marine science is a broad-ranging field that covers subjects as diverse as:

• coastal processes;
• geology and geophysics;
• marine biology;
• oceanography, ocean modelling and forecasting;
• zoology;
• paleooceanography;
• biogeochemistry and ecosytems dynamics;
• hydrographic surveying.

Marine scientists are employed by universities, international organisations, commercial companies, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and marine research institutes. While all roles require good general expertise and scientific abilities, specialisation in one particular area, such as coastal management, fisheries biology, mathematical modelling of ocean change, ecosytem dynamics or chemical risk assessment, is usually required for progression in the profession.

Typical work activities

Work activities may be office, laboratory or field-based, including work on sea-going vessels, and may include:

• collecting samples and data using processes such as coring techniques, GIS systems, visual recording and sampling;
• working with computer databases and specialist software to analyse information, e.g. to carry out population assessments of particular species or evaluate ongoing damage to coral reefs in a narrowly defined area;
• preparing detailed reports, such as environmental impact assessments, for agencies, commercial organisations or governmental bodies, e.g. the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)  or oil companies drilling on the seabed;
• designing scientific experiments, collating findings and often designing and building the appropriate equipment;
• building new research theories and testing hypotheses;
• conducting sea-based sampling and experimentation, involving periods on sea-going vessels;
• costing, planning and writing grant proposals, as well as identifying new sources of funding;
• managing research budgets;
• preparing research papers for journals and other specialist publications and presenting research findings at conferences;
• keeping up to date with new research and technologies and attending training courses;
• advising on matters such as climate change, sea-based energy technologies and environmental impacts;
• liaising with colleagues across the field including fellow research staff, technicians, ships’ crews and research assistants;
• if based in an academic institution, lecturing on specialist subjects and supervising Masters and PhD students;
• conducting educational and awareness-raising work by presenting talks to government ministers, the public, fellow academics and commercial employers.