The outlook is good, particularly in the area of coastal studies. These scientists look at the physical properties and movement of the water in the sea and examine how they influence our environment. Some physical oceanographers take a global perspective, looking at the Earth as a whole, while others look at regional systems, like an estuary. As with many areas of the marine sciences, the physical oceanographer is sometimes part of a team composed of other specialists, such as marine biologists or chemists. These scientists may work together on a project involving circulation and how it influences the presence of certain species of fish or the pollution of an estuary.
Physical oceanographers have the most enviable position of all marine scientists.
This is where the most jobs and research money are available. Whether it's solving a beach erosion problem or designing an offshore drilling rig, ocean engineers face unique challenges. The engineer's job is to find solutions that will enable humans to work with or live in the marine environment. Marine structures and machinery encounter situations and environments not present on land. Corrosion, water pressure, sedimentation, storms, and a host of other variables challenge not only design, but also materials and construction.