marine biologist
Role lens
Dive into a career dedicated to understanding and protecting our oceans! As a marine biologist, you'll explore the fascinating world beneath the waves, researching marine life and ecosystems to address critical environmental challenges.
Marine biologists at the Leadership & Strategy level often lead research projects, manage teams of scientists, and contribute to strategic decision-making regarding marine conservation and resource management. Your days might involve analyzing data collected from fieldwork or laboratory experiments, writing scientific reports, presenting findings at conferences, and collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to implement effective conservation strategies. You'll be involved in both the practical aspects of research and the broader implications of your findings for ocean health.
- • Leading and coordinating marine research projects, ensuring they align with strategic goals.
- • Analyzing complex datasets related to marine ecosystems, physiology, and behavior.
- • Developing and implementing conservation strategies to mitigate human impacts on marine environments.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Ireland, Italy, Slovenia.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Future Outlook for marine biologist
The outlook for marine biologist reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could marine biologist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could marine biologist change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
Most tasks here are AI-assistable rather than purely human-led.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- conduct research on flora
- conduct research on fauna
- perform scientific research
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
- collect biological data
- perform data analysis
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Energy & Natural Resources
A typical day as a marine biologist
09 09:00 · Morning conduct research on fauna
10 10:30 · Mid-morning conduct research on flora
12 12:00 · Midday perform field research
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply scientific methods
15 15:30 · Late afternoon gather experimental data
17 17:00 · Wrap-up collect biological data
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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botany
The taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.
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ecosystem management
The set of approaches that takes into account the effect of a management decision on other elements of an ecosystem. It also addresses the optimization of diverse management strategies and the challenges that arise from fragmented landscapes.
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fish anatomy
The study of the form or morphology of fish species.
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fish biology
The study of fish, shellfish or crustacean organisms, categorized into many specialised fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origins and distribution.
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marine biology
The study of marine living organisms and ecosystems and their interaction underwater.
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microbiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- biology
- ecology
- fish identification and classification
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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perform field research
Participate in field research and evaluation of state and private lands and waters.
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conduct research on flora
Collect and analyse data about plants in order to discover their basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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conduct research on fauna
Collect and analyse data about animal life in order to discover the basic aspects such as origin, anatomy, and function.
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write research proposals
Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
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write work-related reports
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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collect biological data
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
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perform data analysis
Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.
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monitor water quality
Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does marine biologist fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of fieldwork can a marine biologist expect at this career level?
- While fieldwork remains important, at the Leadership & Strategy level, it often involves overseeing field research conducted by others, designing sampling protocols, and ensuring data quality. You might participate in expeditions to collect specific data or assess environmental impacts, but a significant portion of your time will be spent analyzing data and interpreting results from these field efforts.
- How does this role contribute to ocean conservation?
- Marine biologists in this band play a crucial role in translating scientific findings into actionable conservation policies. You'll be involved in assessing the impacts of human activities like pollution and overfishing, developing strategies to protect endangered species, and advocating for sustainable resource management practices. Your leadership and strategic thinking are vital for effective ocean protection.
- What skills are particularly important for success as a marine biologist at this level?
- Beyond a strong scientific foundation, success requires excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills. The ability to synthesize complex information, think critically, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams is essential. A strategic mindset and the capacity to influence policy decisions are also highly valued.
- Marine Biologist — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Czechia, Germany, Greece and 2 more. 3 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Marine Biologist — what does it pay in the United States?
- $72,860 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $49,100 to $107,500. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.