Career options for marine biology graduates include jobs in state and federal government, advanced training for research and teaching in the marine sciences and most other careers available to broadly trained biologists. Entry-level positions include technician work with agencies, non-governmental organizations and environmental consulting companies, as well as various positions with education outreach facilities like aquariums and marine science centers.
Graduate work in marine biology can be an important consideration because it allows for more specialization and increases both salary and opportunities. The background offered by this major is entirely appropriate for medical, dental, or veterinary school.
OIMB also helps prepare students for careers with experiential learning opportunities through our Marine Biology Internship Program and our Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).
Resources for Your Job Search
- Marine Careers – A Sea Grant guide to ocean job opportunities.
- Hopkins Marine Station Career Guide – List a resources for advice on various ocean related careers.
- Career Guides – A list of career resources.
- Texas A&M Job Board – This is a job board that you can subscribe to and receive postings for temporary job opportunities all over the United States.
- State of Oregon Employment Department – This page periodically has listings for biologists and lab tech positions.
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife – ODFW periodically has seasonal job positions in fisheries, hunting, and other wildlife management areas. Jobs usually last from 3-10 months.
- USA Jobs – Employment with the Federal Government.
- Oregon State University Job Board – This is another job board that you can subscribe to and receive emails with jobs postings.
- Alaskan Observers, Inc. – Alaskan Observers has seasonal positions for at sea fishery sampling, with openings in Alaska and on the West Coast. Employees would live on board of commercial fishing vessels for the duration of the specific season.
- Wildlife Biologist (Forestry) – There are seasonal jobs for spotted owl and marbled murrelet surveyors. Hamer Environmental and Turnstone both contract with state forestry.
- Intermountain Bird Observatory – This observatory is part of Boise State University and hires technicians over the summer for various bird counting and banding projects.
- Duke Hosted Physiological Ecology Job Board – This board advertises undergraduate opportunities, as well as intern and technician jobs, graduate opportunities, and faculty positions. It focuses on physiological ecology, but advertises very diverse positions.
- Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Job Board – This board has faculty, staff, technician, and postdoctoral positions as well as a link to postings for undergraduate and graduate student jobs.
Other Helpful Resources
“I’m a lab manager for the Genomics Lab based at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Laboratory. Our lab uses eDNA metabarcoding to monitor biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Our recent cruise focused on previously unexplored methane seeps along the Cascadia Margin.”
—Shannon Brown, marine biology major, ’16
“I first came to OIMB as an undergraduate, and enthusiastically decided to stay to earn my PhD under Dr. Svetlana Maslakova’s advise. Our work focuses on assessing, describing, and comparing the species diversity of marine nemerteans (ribbon worms) across the Isthmus of Panama. OIMB is a wonderful place to start forging your own path in science, and to share in the joy of marine science and discovery.”
—Christina Ellison, marine biology major, ’18
“I’m a fisheries observer in the Pacific Islands Region, based in Honolulu, HI where I currently work recording catch data and tagging sea turtles and marine mammals. When I graduated from OIMB, I discovered that I had gained lifelong friendships, professional community, and a competitive education in the biological sciences. Deciding to attend this wonderful institute was one of the best career decisions I ever made.”
—Mack Hardy, marine biology major, ’17
“Currently, I am the Policy and Constituent Affairs Analyst for NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) contracted through Integrated Systems Solutions. In this role, I am the lead for Constituent Outreach and Engagement for NOS and support NOS headquarters with their efforts on coastal resilience. I also provide support to NOS program offices as well as interagency and congressional work.”
—Sage Riddick, marine biology major, ’17