Marine Biologist
What the work is
Studies the anatomy, physiology, functions, characteristics, behaviour and environments of all forms of life living in the sea and connected water bodies.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Collects and analyses samples to assess environmental effects on marine life
- Studies breeding patterns, physiological processes, behaviour and other characteristics of marine organisms
- Estimates, monitors and manages populations of marine life
- Assesses the impact of human activities on marine life
- Develops, conducts and improves breeding programs to support endangered species of marine life
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a microbiology laboratory that tests food and water, and a coastal reef research team. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A mystery contamination is traced to its source and the plant can fix it
- You see something through a microscope that nobody in the room has seen before
- Your survey data helps protect a patch of reef that was due to be dredged
Hard days
- A test result you believe in is not what a client wanted to hear
- Early starts and wet suits in cold water, followed by days of counting and recording
- A contaminated sample and a client who is also a friend
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 244634, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.