Apprenticeship Marine Biologist Jobs

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Helping you find a career in the marine biologist industry

Marine Biologists study the sea and everything in it. They conduct research that can see them work in offices, universities, laboratories or in the field. Keeping up to date with scientific advances is important, as is having an enquiring mind and the ability to write and research effectively.

It isn't all about adventurous field trips. Remember, marine biologists have to plan their research and find funding for it as well as publishing work and attracting interest to their research.

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FAQs

FAQs

What does a Marine biologist do?

Day-to-day, a marine biologist will:

Keep up to date with the latest research in the field
Write research papers and reports
Collect data and samples in the field
Use computer databases to manage data
Attend training courses
Using tracking technology to research particular animals
Make presentations of findings
Test theories and hypotheses

Skills & interests required for a Marine biologist

An interest in and understanding of science, biology and the sea
Patience and determination
Attention to detail
Numerical and scientific ability
An analytical mind-set
A team player

What hours does a Marine biologist typically do?

Hours these roles can vary massively and depend on your employer and specific job role. Field contract work could typically see a marine biologist working for 40-50 hours a week. Early starts are likely and field trips can mean 24 hour work days.

What environment is a Marine biologist based in?

Offices, universities, labs and in the field.

How much does a Marine biologist travel?

Yes! Field trips could take you all over the world, depending on your role, experience and employer.

How much does a Marine biologist get paid?

This depends on the specificity of your role and employer and some work in marine biology is freelance, making it hard to accurately predict a salary. Your salary could also be dependent on the locality that your research and employment takes you to. Entry level salaries in the field start at £12,000 per annum but are dependent on local salaries in the area you are researching. Higher wages are available to those with more education and experience. PhD holders can earn £26,000-£35,000 per annum and high level research position can earn the employee in question as much as £90,000.

Perks & benefits

Travel is a perk of course, but also appealing is the opportunity to spearhead scientific advancement. Imagine being at the forefront of new scientific findings!

What qualifications does a Marine biologist need?

Here's the important bit: jobs in marine biology typically go to those who have studied marine-focused degrees. These include Marine Biology, Marine Science and Oceanography. These are demanding courses that will prepare you for a role as a marine biologist. To get a place on these courses, you'll typically need strong A-levels, particularly in Biology and Chemistry. Other useful subjects include:

Maths
Geography
Computing