Oceanographer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As an oceanographer, you could specialise in one of four areas:

• marine biology – studying marine plants and animals
• marine chemistry – analysing the chemical composition of seawater and the behaviour of pollutants
• marine geology – examining the structure and make-up of the ocean floor
• marine physics – studying water temperature and density, wave motion, tides and currents.

You would use a variety of techniques to collect data, including:

• remote sensors on satellites
• instruments on towed or self-powered submersibles
• apparatus on moored or drifting buoys
• probes lowered into the sea
• drills to explore the seabed and acoustics.

Your work could vary depending on the area you specialise in, but will often include:

• researching and writing reports
• presenting and publishing your findings
• working with computer modellers to produce graphical simulations of your research
• managing a project, including leading a team of technical support staff.

Hours

Your hours of work can vary depending on the project. You could spend time in a lab or office as well as several days (sometimes months) at sea. When carrying out research, you could be working from a ship or an offshore platform in a remote location. Conditions may be hazardous and physically demanding.

This work often includes using diving equipment or submersible vehicles. You need to be prepared to travel and spend time away from home.

Income

Starting salaries for oceanographers can be between £18,000 and £25,000 a year. With experience this can rise to around £38,000 to £44,000. Lecturers can earn around £55,000.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To work in oceanography you will usually need a first or upper second class honours degree in maths, physics or chemistry, followed by a Master's degree in Oceanography. Some employers will also expect you to have, or be working towards, a relevant PhD.

You will also need good IT skills and you could be at an advantage if you have an understanding of one or more foreign languages.

To get on to a relevant science-based degree you will usually need:

• five or more GCSEs (A-C) including English, maths and three science subjects
• two or three A levels, including maths, physics and one other science or computing.

Check with course providers for exact entry details because alternative qualifications may also be accepted.

Many degree courses in this area include fieldwork and take around four years to complete. If your course does not include work experience, you could try to arrange this yourself through a marine laboratory.

At postgraduate level, there are taught Masters degrees, research degrees and PhD programmes. The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) has details of courses and possible funding options.

Training and development

You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer, which will often be combined with short courses, self-managed learning, seminars and conferences.

To help you keep up-to-date, the SUT has details of courses including a Continuing Professional Development programme offered by a group of universities known as the Marine Technology Education Consortium.

• Marine Technology Education Consortium

Taking advantage of networking opportunities through societies such as the SUT and the Challenger Society for Marine Science may help you develop your skills as well as increase your career prospects and contacts in the industry.

• Challenger Society for Marine Science

Skills and knowledge

As an oceanographer you will need to have:

• strong mathematical and scientific skills
• good powers of observation
• practical skills
• good problem solving skills
• a flexible approach to work
• accuracy and attention to detail
• good physical health and fitness for research work
• the ability to work alone and as part of a team
• excellent spoken and written communication skills.

More information

Society for Underwater Technology (SUT)
80 Coleman Street
London
EC2R 5BJ
Tel: 020 7382 2601
www.sut.org.uk

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411500
www.nerc.ac.uk

Opportunities

Much oceanography work in the UK is created and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). You will find jobs (often funded through the NERC) with organisations such as the National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), the Sea Mammal Research Institute and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

You may also find work with the government, for example through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and in industries involved in offshore oil and gas extraction, offshore and coastal construction and marine instrumentation. You could go on to work in teaching and research with universities and other research bodies throughout the world who specialise in aspects of oceanography.

To gain promotion, you are likely to need between one and five years' experience. Short-term contracts are common in this area of work.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

• New Scientist
• Nature
• Guardian
• Earthworks-jobs

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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