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Ecologist

Ecologists play a pivotal role in understanding and protecting our natural world, focusing on the intricate relationships between organisms and their environments. In the UK, their expertise is crucial for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable land use, making their work vital for both local ecosystems and global ecological health.

Ecologist

18

Biological Sciences

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY18
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST
58%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is low on our index (18), and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Marine BiologistIn this entry-level role, you will assist in fieldwork and laboratory analysis, gaining hands-on experience in marine research.£25,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Marine BiologistAt this stage, you will lead research projects, manage field teams, and contribute to publications in scientific journals.£35,000 - £50,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Marine Biologist/Head of Marine ResearchIn a senior role, you will oversee major research initiatives, influence policy decisions, and mentor junior scientists.£60,000+

The degree route

Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.

🎓Biological Sciences with Spanish for ScienceImperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£31,500 median
🎓Human Sciences and EvolutionUniversity College London · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,500 median
🎓BiochemistryThe University of Leeds · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£30,000 median
🎓Biochemistry and PharmacologyUniversity of Strathclyde · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£28,000 median
🎓Human BiologyQueen's University of Belfast · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£28,000 median
🎓Biomedical Sciences with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£27,500 median

All Biological Sciences courses as cards →

There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Degree subjects that lead this way

Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.