Oceanographer
Oceanographers study seas and currents, marine plants and animals, and the rocks and minerals that lie beneath the sea bed.
Typical Salary
£23,000 – £45,000
per year
Working Hours
37–42
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an oceanographer, you might:
- plan and carry out research expeditions around the UK and overseas
- collect water, sediment and rock samples and analyse data
- build computer models of ocean currents and circulation patterns
- create maps of the sea floor and underlying geology
- monitor changes in seawater properties and marine life
- write and present reports of your research findings
- give lectures and lead oceanography students on field trips
Skills needed
- knowledge of geography
- maths knowledge
- excellent written communication skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through a university course.
Career progression
As your career develops you could become a project leader or manager. You might also wish to specialise in a particular field of oceanography, such as:
- coastal modelling
- sealife research and conservation
- the impact of a changing climate on ocean currents
There are opportunities to work on research projects while studying for higher qualifications, for example, with the:
- Marine Technology Education Consortium
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Interdisciplinary Southampton Partnership for Investigators Researching the Environment (INSPIRE)
There are also openings in higher education, working as a researcher or lecturer, and scientific journalism.