Oceanographer

As an oceanographer you'll study the seas and oceans to help us learn more about the marine environment, plants and animals.

You’ll do research on, for example, the effects of climate change or the impact of pollution and offshore engineering on marine life.

There are four branches of oceanography in which you could specialise:

• biological – studying marine plants and animals

• physical – exploring water temperature, density, wave motion, tides and currents

• geological – examining the structure and make-up of the ocean floor

• chemical – analysing the chemicals in sea water and the impact of pollutants

Your tasks might include:

• planning and carrying out research expeditions

• managing projects and leading a team of researchers and technical staff

• preparing scientific equipment at sea or in a laboratory

• collecting data and samples at sea, to track changes in the marine environment

• creating experiments to test your ideas in the laboratory

• using computers to produce models, such as maps of the ocean floor or populations of marine animals

You’ll write reports about your research for publication. You'll present your findings to the public and other scientists.

You’ll use a variety of scientific equipment to collect samples and data, including:

• remote sensors on satellites

• instruments on underwater vehicles or buoys

• drills to collect sediment cores from the seabed

• microphones to measure acoustics

• marine robots to explore the seabed

• diving equipment or submersible vehicles

Green job 

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

• Scottish Association for Marine Science – find out about marine science careers and read scientists' stories

• National Oceanography Centre – explore careers information at the UK research centres

• Challenger Society for Marine Science – find early careers information from the society for UK academic marine research

• Society for Underwater Technology – discover careers in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering

• Marine Biological Association – check out the international membership organisation of marine biologists

• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology – get careers information from the international body for marine professionals