How to become a marine biologist?
Are you more at home in the water than on land? Would you like to study the life in our oceans and seas, from microscopic algae and plankton to whale sharks and blue whales? Find out how to become a marine biologist and dive into an exciting career!
As a marine biologist, you could help us better understand marine life; create more sustainable fisheries; manage the impact of climate change, marine plastic pollution and other human activities on species and ecosystems; encourage others to protect our oceans, and much more.
Whether you’re studying, switching careers or simply exploring potential career paths, this guide will help you understand what marine biologists do, and how you can become one.
What does a marine biologist do?
Marine biologists study marine organisms and their interactions with the environment (including humans). They might specialise in anything from marine food chains or fish behaviour to how marine ecosystems are impacted by human activities.
Here are just a few examples of what marine biologists can do:
Marine ecology: Studying how marine organisms relate to their living and non-living environment.- Behavioural ecology: Studying the behaviour of marine species
- (Biological) oceanography: Study the physical, chemical and biological properties of oceans.
- Modelling. Build models to estimate the distribution and abundance of marine life in different locations
- Genetics: Studying the genetic diversity of marine species.
- Physiology: Understanding how marine physiological processes are impacted by factors like climate change or pollution.
- Taxonomy: Discovering and classifying new marine species.
- Paleobiology: Studying fossil marine organisms.
- Reproductive biology: Studying how marine species reproduce.
- Systematics: Studying the diversification of marine organisms, and their relationships through time.
- Molecular biology: Studying the activities within marine organisms at the level of cellular molecules like proteins.
Marine biologists can apply science to areas such as:
Sustainable fisheries management- Informing and influencing marine policy
- Monitoring and managing marine pollution
- Marine environmental education
- Controlling non-native and invasive species
- Informing environmentally sustainable development (ecological consultancy), for example by assessing the impact development projects may have one marine life and people using Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
- Cleaning up contaminated sites or damaged ecosystems (remediation, rehabilitation or restoration)
- Sustainable shipping
- Sustainable tourism (or ecotourism)
- Putting a value on the benefits that nature provides us (Environmental economics)
- Understanding past environments and climates
- Carrying out ex-situ (off-site) conservation in aquariums, etc.
Marine biologists might also choose to specialise on specific areas, such as:
- Tropical marine biology: Studying tropical marine organisms and ecosystems
- Benthic (sea floor) or pelagic (open ocean) systems
- Marine phycology: Studying marine algae
- And of course… marine conservation biology!
If you’re considering a career as a marine biologist, the sea’s the limit! Once trained, you might choose to become a champion for sharks, help local communities manage their fisheries, or help governments determine where to place marine reserves.
Where do marine biologists work?
- Academia – Help create the research base that practitioners need to effectively conserve marine species and ecosystems. Employers are typically universities and colleges, such as the University of Exeter (UK), James Cook University (Australia), or the University of Hawai’i (USA).
- Charity – Contribute to not-for-profit and non-governmental conservation activities with the Charity, NGO or ‘Third Sector.’ Examples include the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC – International), Love the Oceans (Mozambique), SeaLegacy (Canada, USA), Project Biodiversity (Cabo Verde) and Blue Marine Foundation (UK).
- Business – Work with for-profit private companies or consulting firms that support marine conservation, such as Fishtek Marine (UK), Ocean Science Consulting (OSC) (UK), Archipelago (Canada) and Anchor Environmental (South Africa).
- Government – Help set regional, national or international policies, and enforce best practice with the public sector or civil service. Examples of government institutions and agencies include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, CEFAS (UK), DFO (Canada) and CSIRO (Australia).
- Enterprise – Join the start-up, social enterprise or innovation movement, applying commercial strategies to maximise improvements in environmental and human well-being. Examples are Blue Ventures, GVI and Lindblad Expeditions.
Want to discover more great marine biologist employers? As a Conservation Careers Academy member, check out our Career Explorer database with over 30,000 jobs from around the world.
What is a typical marine biologist job description?
Marine biology is a broad theme of work, encompassing each of the 15 key conservation job types. But marine biology is also uber-diverse, encompassing many sub-sectors / areas of focus – such as fisheries, pollution, endangered species, Marine Protected Areas, and more.
If you’re worried about whether your skillset is needed, you can put that fear to rest!
If you’re specifically interested in marine conservation, you can also head over to our ultimate guide, Marine Conservation Jobs.
15 key marine conservation job types
Marine biologists can apply their skills across many of the 15 key conservation job types, including:
- Animal Welfare Marine Conservation Jobs | Caring for animals.
Examples of early career job titles: Marine Stranding Network Coordinator, Veterinarian.
Examples of employers: working for a marine animal response centre or stranding network. - Communications & Marketing Marine Conservation Jobs | Raising the profile of conservation
Examples of early career job titles: Communications Officer/Specialist, Marketing Officer, Social Media Assistant, Magazine Editor, TV Assistant, Writer, Wildlife Journalist, Presenter or Blogger.
Examples of employers: The world’s your oyster! Almost every organisation needs support with this. 
Community-based Marine Conservation Jobs | Helping people to be part of the solution
Examples of early career job titles: Community Outreach Officer, Local Empowerment Officer
Examples of employers: Blue Ventures, Positive Change for Marine Life.- Countryside Management, Warden & Ranger Marine Conservation Jobs | Saving key sites for nature
Examples of early career job titles: Assistant Warden, Assistant Ranger, Countryside Ranger, Park Ranger, Estate Worker, Reserves Officer.
Examples of employers: The Wildlife Trusts. - Ecotourism Marine Conservation Jobs | Helping people experience the natural world
Examples of early career job titles: Scuba Instructor, Field Guide, Snorkel Guide, Certification Coach, Sustainability Advisor.
Examples of employers: NATUCATE, Audley Travel. - Ecological Consultancy Conservation Jobs | Ensuring ecologically-sensitive development
Examples of early career job titles: Ecologist, Assistant Ecologist, Graduate Ecologist.
Examples of employers: APEM, Atkins. 
Environmental Economics & Ecosystem Assessment Marine Conservation Jobs | Putting a value on nature
Examples of early career job titles: Economics Programme Officer, Junior Environmental Economist, Sustainable Finance Assistant.
Examples of employers: Ecologic Institute.- Environmental Education Marine Conservation Jobs | Increasing awareness and support for nature
Examples of early career job titles: Learning Officer, Education Officer, Environmental Educator, Schools Outreach Officer, Learning Assistant, Schools Outreach Project Officer, Education Assistant.
Examples of employers: The Wildlife Trusts, Seal Rescue Ireland. - Fundraising & Development Marine Conservation Jobs | Raising money to save nature
Examples of early career job titles: Membership Development Officer, Fundraising Officer, Membership Development Assistant, Development Officer.
Examples of employers: Any charity! - Mapping & GIS Marine Conservation Jobs | Putting nature on the map
Examples of early career job titles: GIS Technical Support Officer, GIS Spatial Modeller, GIS Spatial Modeller, GIS / Ecology Graduate, GIS Technical Support Officer, GIS Officer.
Examples of employers: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). - Marine Conservation Jobs | Protecting the blue planet. Marine conservation is a job type in its own right. Check out our guide to Marine Conservation Jobs for more info!
Photography and Film-making Marine Conservation Jobs | Storytelling for change
Examples of early career job titles: Freelance Photographers, Photo-journalists, Film-makers, Editors, Producers.
Examples of employers: SeaLegacy.- Policy & Advocacy Marine Conservation Jobs | Saving wildlife through law
Examples of early career job titles: Policy and Advocacy Officer, Policy Advisor, Campaigns and Policy Assistant.
Examples of employers: Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Greenpeace. - Programme & Project Management Marine Conservation Jobs | Saving the world one project at a time
Examples of early career job titles: Project Officer, Junior Project Officer, Project Assistant, Programme Officer and Programme Assistant, Project Manager, Programme Manager.
Examples of employers: National Geographic, Fauna & Flora International. - Science & Research Marine Conservation Jobs | Answering the key questions to tackle biodiversity loss
Examples of early career job titles: Field Assistant, Research Assistant, Science Officer.
Examples of employers: University of Exeter Marine, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Because marine biologist careers are so diverse, we’ve summarised common job duties for a few typical careers.
Sector-specific marine conservation jobs
Let’s dive into some of the sub sectors within marine biologist careers.
Diving
Divers are in-demand for their specialised skillset – which can be applied in many different ways, such as:
- The recreational dive industry – such as divemaster or dive instructor working with students, tourists, volunteers or interns in the ecotourism or conservation travel sector.
- Commercial diving – such as a diver for an ecological consultancy.
- The public service – such as a diver with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA, conducting marine patrols.
- Science and research – such as conducting scientific field surveys or monitoring protected sites, with universities, charities, government and government-sponsored agencies or aquariums.
- Underwater photography and videography, such as an Undersea Specialist with LindBlad Expeditions and National Geographic or Shark Girl Madison.
- Technology, such as operating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
Diving Jobs | Career Stories & Advice – Read the latest here.
- Podcast: Francesca Trotman | Love the Oceans
- Podcast: Emily Daniels | WiseOceans
- Seize the Day and Save Sharks With Shark Girl Madison
- Adventurer at heart: exploring the marine world with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic’s Alyssa Adler
Marine spatial planning
Despite covering 71% of Earth’s surface, we have protected less than 4% of the oceans (and enforced protection of even less). 2020 World Oceans Day called on world leaders to protect 30% of oceans by 2030 (‘30×30’) through a network of highly protected areas.
Marine spatial planning (MSP) is an inclusive and transparent process of managing human activities in marine areas in space and time. It brings together diverse ocean users – including government, local communities, industry, tourism, energy and others – aiming to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives. Discover which countries are using MSP.
Marine Spatial Planning Jobs | Career Stories & Advice – Read the latest here.
- OpenChannels – Taking Marine Spatial Planning to the next level
- Decision making matters: career advice from multi award winning conservationist Hugh Possingham
Fisheries
If sustainable fishing is your passion, you’ll find no shortage of jobs in this diverse subsector of marine conservation careers. They include:
Fisheries Biologists – scientists / wildlife biologists who study fish and their habitats / conduct basic or applied research – from understanding the health of fish populations to broader ecology. Includes everything from working at hatcheries for commercial production to mapping ocean fish stocks. They might even be called on as witnesses for “corporate negligence cases (oil spills etc)”!- Fisheries Officers and Fisheries Observers – The ‘eyes on the water’, these independent specialists are deployed on fishing vessels or stationed in processing plants to collect data and report on fisheries operations to support science, conservation and management. Employed by government agencies or third party contractors, their data might be used to ensure compliance with regulations, assess fish populations, set fishing quotas and much more.
- Seafood sourcing and supply chain management – working with commercial organisations to support sustainable buying commitments and overseeing all steps in the supply chain from ocean to table – such as with the Marine Stewardship Council (International) or Ocean Wise seafood (national – Canada).
- Aquaculturist – responsible for farming/cultivating aquatic organisms such as freshwater and marine fish and shellfish, playing an important role in quality management and sustainability.
Fisheries Jobs | Career Stories & Advice – Read the latest here.
- Podcast: Ben Sullivan | Fishtek Marine
- Podcast: Dr Alasdair Harris | Blue Ventures
- What’s it like to work in European fisheries policy?
Climate change
From ocean warming and acidification, to coral bleaching and coastal sea level rise, the need to combat the effects of climate change on our oceans and ecosystems (and the coastal communities who rely on them) has never been greater.
Did you know that ‘blue carbon’ – stored in coastal ecosystems like mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass beds – “store up to 10 times more carbon … per hectare than terrestrial forests.”
This subsector of marine conservation careers is its own theme of work – including all 15 key conservation job types.
Marine Climate Change Jobs | Career Stories & Advice – Read the latest here.
Aquarium Jobs
Aquariums are powerhouses for species conservation efforts and environmental education. They offer diverse employment opportunities including:
Curator – Manage or Oversee part or all of an aquarium’s animal collection- Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician – Responsible for the health of animal collections, or assisting the veterinarian in providing care to animals.
- Aquarist or Senior/Head Aquarist – Provide or supervise regular care to animals, such as diet preparation, cleaning, exhibit maintenance and record keeping.
- Registrar – maintains records of animal collections and handles permitting and licensing for holding or transporting animals.
- Director/Coordinator of Research – directs or coordinates scientific research projects and publications, liaising with the academic community.
- Director/Coordinator of Conservation – directs or coordinates the aquarium’s conservation initiatives (research and/or field), liaising with conservation organisations and government agencies.
- Conservation Biologist / Zoologist – Provides technical and/or scientific support for animal collection management and conservation projects.
- Director / Assistant Director / CEO – Lead an aquarium’s operation and future plans.
Aquarium jobs can also include Communications & Marketing, Environmental Education and Fundraising & Development.
For a comprehensive list of aquarium jobs, see Types of Zoo and Aquarium Jobs by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and Zoo and Wildlife Career FAQs by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Want to understand what a day in the life of a marine biologist is really like? Read the latest Marine Biologist Jobs | Career Stories & Advice, or check out these webinars, interviews and podcast episodes:
- Webinar | Marine Conservation Careers
- Podcast: Dr Alasdair Harris | Blue Ventures
- Podcast: Francesca Trotman | Love the Oceans
- Advising the president and engaging local communities: An interview with Adjany Costa
- Listening to our Blue Planet: An interview with Professor Steve Simpson
- Marine biologist turned wildlife filmmaker | An interview with Inka Cresswell
- Marine Conservation and Changing Arctic Oceans – An Interview with Stephanie Sargeant
- Emily Stevenson: Creating a Stronger Community Through Beach Cleaning
- Get Your Nerd on With Bimini Shark Girl
- Marine research in Africa with Joan Kawaka
- OpenChannels – Taking Marine Spatial Planning to the next level
How much money does a marine biologist make?
According to the National Careers Service, the average salary for a biologist in the United Kingdom (all areas and sectors) ranges all the way from £14,000 for someone just starting out, to £70,000 for an experienced biologist. For example, this Marine Biologist – Rothera role with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) was offered at £24,685. The average salary for a marine biologist in London is expected to increase by 16% from 2021 to 2026.
- Accommodation, meals and flight reimbursement for a Venture Leader & Site Manager with Love The Oceans, Mozambique.
- Board, lodging, domestic travel and visa for a Marine Biologist with Atoll Volunteers, Maldives.
What is the job demand for marine biologists?
While specific data on marine biologists isn’t available, 17,710 zoologists and wildlife biologists were employed in the US in May 2017, alongside 104,550 biological scientists and 22,040 conservation scientists.
At Conservation Careers we’ve posted 2,329 marine conservation jobs from 2014 to 2021.
What are marine biologist education requirements?
How do I get a marine biology degree?
Search our Conservation Training board for degrees and courses related to marine biology, such as:
- MSci Marine Biology | University of Exeter | Cornwall, England (MSc)
- MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | University of Exeter | Cornwall, England (MSc)
- MSc Marine Environmental Management | University of York | York, England (MSc)
- Marine Ecosystem Management | University of St Andrews (MSc)
- Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (Advanced) | University of California | San Diego (Master’s)
- Marine Sciences | University of New England Maine | Boston, MA, United States (Master’s)
- Marine Science and Management | Macquarie University | Sydney, Australia (Master’s)
- Marine Biology | University of Groningen | Groningen, Netherlands (Master’s)
- Marine Biology | Stockholm University | Stockholm, Sweden (Master’s)
- Marine Biology | University of Bremen | Bremen, Germany (Master’s)
- International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology | University of Bremen | Bremen, Germany (Master’s)
- Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology | University of California | Santa Barbara, CA, USA (Master’s)
- Ocean Sciences | University of California | Santa Cruz, CA, USA (Master’s)
- Marine Biosciences | University of Delaware | Newark, DE, United States (Master’s)
- Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences | University of Maryland | Maryland City, MD, USA (Master’s)
- Biodiversity Management (by Research) | University of Kent | Canterbury, UK (MSc, PhD)
- Conservation and Rural Development | University of Kent | Canterbury, UK (MSc)
- Conservation Project Management | University of Kent | Canterbury, UK (MSc)
- Biology | University of Gothenburg | Göteborg, Sweden (Master’s)
- Beginners Botany | Ecology Training UK | Online (Self-study course)
- Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring | Manchester Metropolitan University | Shrewsbury, England (Master’s)
Need help with funding? Search our list of Top Conservation Scholarships, or download our Top Conservation Scholarships guide to read later!
What are the top marine biologist skills?
To give a snapshot of some common skills and experience employers are looking for, we’ve summarised key skills from 13 job descriptions for marine biologists posted over the past 4 years. These jobs include:
WWF (Marine Biologist, US-Arctic Program)- Thomson Environmental Consultants (Graduate Marine Biologist)
- British Antarctic Survey (Marine Biologist – Rothera)
- AECOM (Senior Marine Mammal Biologist)
- Cardno GS, Inc. (Marine Biologist)
- ZSL (EDGE Marine Biologist)
- Blue Ventures (Field Scientists)
- Olive Ridley Project (Sea Turtle Biologist)
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Marine Biologist)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Research Fish Biologist)
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Biologist / Analyst)
- New England Aquarium (Temporary Biologist)
- Atoll Volunteers (Marine Biologist)
Data analysis, e.g. using R - Technical and report writing skills / preparing publications
- Taxonomic skills
Occasional:
- Dive certification at varying levels
- GIS (e.g. using QGIS), GPS and spatial analysis
- Project management including planning, funding, implementation and reporting
- Animal husbandry
- Modelling
Transferable skills
Frequent:
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to interact with a broad range of stakeholders / partners / audiences / technical backgrounds
- Organisational skills
- Ability to work independently / with minimal supervision
- Ability to work as part of a team
MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint- Delivering presentations
Occasional:
- Project management
- Fundraising
- Database management
- Willingness to travel
- Physical fitness
Experience
Frequent:
- Field research and/or monitoring
- Marine survey techniques (e.g. species surveys, habitat assessments, social science surveys)
- Experience with specific taxonomic groups
Occasional:
- Living or working in a particular region or context (e.g. developing country, tropics, etc.)
- Working in remote locations and/or with limited resources and/or challenging situations
- Multi-disciplinary collaboration
- Working with customers / guests / volunteers
- Working with local communities
- Other languages
- Processing samples
- Survey design
- Managing teams
- Proposal development
- Publication record
- Knowledge of marine environmental regulations
- Environmental Impact Assessments
- Managing external consultants/contractors
- Specialist experience such as bioacoustics
Check out our analysis of nearly 30,000 conservation jobs, from over 100 countries, to identify the top conservation skills that employers want.
Learn how to communicate your marine biology skills and experience to employers in our webinar How to Apply for Any Conservation Job or download our step-by-step conservation job application guide for easy reference.
You can also check out Marine conservation job application tips and tricks from The Reef-World Foundation, which gives real-life feedback to applicants for one of the organisation’s job opportunities.
What societies and professional organisations of marine biologists exist?
- There are 100s of societies and professional organisations for marine biologists worldwide. Here are a few to get you started:
- Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
. ASLO is a scientific society originally established in 1936 with the goal of advancing the sciences of limnology and oceanography. This vibrant community publishes journals, offers fellowships and travel grants, provides many resources (including early career resources), offers discounts on professional development opportunities and much more – for very affordable membership fees. - Marine Biological Association
. Active since 1884, MBA is one of the world’s longest-running societies dedicated to promoting research into our oceans and the life they support, with membership in over 40 countries. Membership includes access to publications, bursaries, networking, discounts, jobs and internships and much more. MBA also run a leading marine biological research laboratory where 7 Nobel prize winners have carried out their research. - SCB Marine Section
. The Marine Section of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is a home for marine conservation sciences and public policy, with a global focus. They offer a small grants program and a bravery award. - The MarineBio Conservation Society
. MarineBio is a nonprofit volunteer marine conservation and science education group active since 1998. They work “online together to educate the world about ocean life, marine biology, marine conservation, and to provide a sea ethical that we should all attempt to follow.”
- American Fisheries Society
. AFS is “the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources.” They promote scientific research and sustainable management, publish fish journals, organize scientific meetings, and encourage education and professional development. Their 8,000+ worldwide members include fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists and more.
- American Academy of Underwater Sciences
. Officially chartered in 1983, the AAUS aims to “advance and facilitate safe and productive scientific diving.” They have more than 130 organizational members and over 1,100 individual members, which include benefits such as scholarships, resources, workshops, research support, training and certification, and much more.
- The American Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists
. The ASIH is dedicated to the scientific study of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. They work to increase knowledge about these organisms, to disseminate that knowledge, and to encourage and support young scientists. They offer professional and student awards, an annual meeting, a members directory, job listings and much more.
American Cetacean Society. Founded in 1967, ACS “is recognized as the first whale, dolphin, and porpoise conservation group in the world.” They are “dedicated to bringing education, current research, and critical conservation issues to people who care about cetaceans and the habitats on which they depend. Membership benefits include publications, networking, presentations, volunteering, discounts on whale watching trips, and much more. They also have a student coalition.
- Cetacean Society International
. CSI is an “all-volunteer, non-profit conservation, education and research organization working on behalf of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and their marine environment.” They offer grants and resources.
Stanford University publishes a useful list of Marine Biology Organizations and Institutions, primarily in the USA.
The Center for Marine Biodiversity & Conservation also publishes a list of Marine Professional & Membership Organizations.
Explore more societies and professional organisations related to conservation, or fuel your passion for marine plants with popular botanist societies.
Meet marine biologist role models
Just a few famous marine biologists include:
- Rachel Carson, an American marine biologist, conservationist and author, whose book Silent Spring (1962) convinced thousands of Americans to take action for the environment.
- Eugenie Clark, an American fish scientist (ichthyologist) known as ‘The Shark Lady’ who was one of the first people to conduct underwater scientific research using scuba gear, focusing her research on poisonous fish and sharks.
- Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a French explorer, marine conservationist, filmmaker and author who pioneered scuba gear and educated the public about the sea through books and documentaries.
- Charles Darwin, an early marine biologist who studied coral reefs and marine invertebrates including plankton and barnacles.
- Sylvia Earle, an American marine conservationist and National Geographic explorer-in-residence, who was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- Hans Hass, an Austrian marine biologist who redeveloped Cousteau’s early scuba gear for underwater professionals, and one of the first people to use an underwater camera to record aquatic life for documentaries and photos.
- Steve Irwin, an Australian zookeeper, TV host and conservationist who co-hosted ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ documentary series and co-owned and operated Australia Zoo before his demise from a stingray while filming in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
- Sir Charles Wyville Thompson, a Scottish naturalist and zoologist specialising in marine invertebrates, who participated in several marine expeditions, including the HMS Challenger expedition, and discovered thousands of new marine species.
Find your own marine biologist role model! Read interviews with professional marine biologists from around the world, such as:
- Professor Brendan Godley | University of Exeter
- Dr Alasdair Harris | Blue Ventures
- Francesca Trotman | Love The Oceans
- Stacy Jupiter | Wildlife Conservation Society
- Darren Kindleysides | Australian Marine Conservation Society
- Professor Steve Simpson | University of Exeter
- Professor Peter Mumby | University of Queensland
- Justin Lennon | Conversation Guide
- Catherine Edsell | Adventurer, conservationist and global expedition leader
- Adjany Costa | Ethno-conservationist, marine biologist and Adviser to the President of Angola for Environmental Affairs
- Joan Kawaka | CORDIO East Africa
Search all the latest marine biologist jobs
Search all the latest marine biologist jobs on our Conservation Job Board.
Explore marine biologist career resources
Dive into some of our favourite resources for marine biologists such as:
- Webinar | Marine Conservation Careers
- How to start your career in marine biology
- Marine Conservation Jobs | Top Graduate Employers
- Marine conservation job application tips and tricks from The Reef-World Foundation
- So you want to be a marine conservationist?
- Top Sea Turtle Conservation Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
Or check out the latest marine biologist careers advice articles below.
In the bustling waters of Hong Kong, a silent crisis unfolds beneath the surface. Stan Shea, Marine Programme Director at Bloom HK and ADMCF stands at the forefront of a huge challenge to protect the region’s marine life from the devastating effects of overfishing and unsustainable practices. Born and …
Riding the waves of knowledge: A conversation with Frances Lang on education and marine conservation
You may notice the landscape of conservation is evolving, becoming increasingly diverse each day, with a growing number of people expressing their interest in getting involved. Numerous opportunities are available, indicating a positive outlook for the future of ocean health. However, amid this positivity, a challenging reality remains – …
“I think empowerment to protect what we have, often comes from celebrating what we’ve got”. Leanne Cullen-Unsworth is the CEO of Project Seagrass, an amazing charity working in the UK and across the globe to celebrate, protect and restore ecologically important seagrass meadows. This incredibly valuable ecosystem was often …
Originally from the UK, Kate Sheridan is a conservation biologist and scuba diver, living and working in the Maldives for a coral restoration and research project, Reefscapers. Although everyday life looks like a tropical dream – marine conservation set in island paradise – we discuss some of the hardships …
Stella Diamant is a passionate conservation biologist who founded the Madagascar Whale Shark Project, introduced a code of conduct for Whale Shark tourism, initiated an environmental education programme for Malagasy youth, and has identified almost 500 individual Whale Sharks. She’s now working in collaboration with other NGOs and has …
Last year, Sir David Attenborough said that saving the planet is now a communications challenge. And within conservation there is a growing realisation that we need to do much more to share our messages, to encourage more support and action. As a result, conservation employers are rapidly looking for …
In this episode we’re speaking with ocean writer and PR freelancer Melissa Hobson. Mel is passionate about communicating how we can all make a difference for the marine environment, our planet and people’s lives. She’s a certified scuba diver and has worked in PR for over a decade – …
In this guide, we profile turtle conservation internships and volunteer opportunities around the world (and year-round!) where you can help these amazing, yet threatened, species.
Would you like to receive a grant to support your conservation projects as well as gain opportunities to build connections with peers, access expert mentorship and participate in training courses? The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) – a 35 year-old capacity-building partnership between BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora International and …
After a long and successful career in arts design, Manon Fontaine changed the brushes and the puppets to binoculars and animals’ tags. Keep reading if you want to know why and how an artist in her 40s managed to turned into an international all-round wildlife conservationist. Who is Manon …
FAQs
Marine biologists study marine organisms and their interactions with the environment (including humans). They might specialise in anything from marine food chains or fish behaviour to how marine ecosystems are impacted by human activities.
The average salary for a biologist (all areas and sectors) in the UK ranges all the way from £14,000 for someone just starting out, to £70,000 for an experienced biologist.
The average salary for a biologist (all areas and sectors) in the UK ranges all the way from £14,000 for someone just starting out, to £70,000 for an experienced biologist.
Most marine biologist jobs require an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree. Some more senior, specialised and/or research-focussed roles may require a master’s or PhD.
Marine biology can be a competitive sector, so it’s important to identify any specific skills and experience you’ll need to become competitive in your target role, and to learn to submit high quality job applications.
Most marine biologist jobs require an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree. Some more senior, specialised and/or research-focussed roles may require a master’s or PhD.
Marine biology can be a competitive sector, so it’s important to identify any specific skills and experience you’ll need to become competitive in your target role, and to learn to submit high quality job applications.
Approximately 3-4 years (the duration of an undergraduate degree). You may need additional experience to become employable and competitive.
Check out our list of the Top Conservation Scholarships, or download our Top Conservation Scholarships guide to read later!
Related Marine Biologist career profiles
Zoologist | Studying animals
Zoologists are scientists who specialise in the study of animals. Explore.
Not sure yet which type of conservation role is right for you? Explore all 11 Key Conservation Roles.
Useful links & free stuff
You want to work in conservation but you’re feeling lost, disillusioned or confused?!? Check out our Kick-Starter training designed to help you understand the job market, to navigate your career options, and to get hired more quickly. It’s designed for students, graduates, job-seekers and career-switchers. We’re proud to say it also has 100% satisfaction and recommendation ratings. We know you’ll love it. Find out more about our Kick-Starter – Online Course.- You need answers to top questions about working in conservation? Check out our free Ultimate Guides covering topics like the 15 Key Conservation Job Types, Top Conservation Internships | Paid or Free and Marine Conservation Jobs, and answering questions like How to Switch Careers into Conservation, Do I need a Master’s Degree? and much more! Or download our free guides to keep and read later!
- You want to know how to quickly and easily start your career as a professional wildlife conservationist, but are short on time? Learn the golden rule for getting started, the key mistakes to avoid and answers to your biggest questions in our free video training series, How to get a conservation job.
- You feel ready to be applying for jobs in conservation? Check out our membership packages for job seekers which provide access to the world’s biggest conservation job board – with over 10,000 conservation jobs shared each year – plus a range of other benefits. Check out our monthly memberships here.
- You’re submitting applications, but failing to get many interviews? Check out our FREE eBook Conservation Jobs: The Step-by-Step System to Get Hired as a Wildlife Conservationist – available on Kindle, EPUB and PDF. We can also review your applications, and provide 1:1 advice on how to improve them. Check out our application support here.
- You’ve got an interview (well done!) and would like our help to prepare for it? We know what employers want, and have helped many people prepare for and deliver successful interviews. Check out our interview preparation here.
- You’re feeling stuck, struggling with a career decision or something’s holding you back from pursuing the career of your dreams? Our 1:1 career coaching can help you gain clarity about your next steps and form a plan of action. Check out our career coaching here