Job Opportunities Job opportunities in aquatic science exist for individuals with all levels of education. Employers include State and Federal government offices and laboratories, educational institutions, industries, magazines, book publishers, television, radio, legal firms, and environmental societies. After four years of college you may find employment as laboratory technicians, particularly in government positions. If you have more training, you can do the same sort of work, but will have more freedom and responsibility and may supervise other staff. College and University research and teaching positions generally require a Ph.D. degree in limnology or oceanography.
Specific duties depend on the specialized field of study and the job description.
Aquatic scientists may focus on areas such as research, teaching, administration, consulting, or writing. Virtually all jobs will involve more than one of these areas. There is no guarantee you will gain employment in your area of interest or specialization. For this reason, it is important that you strive for a general education that provides a foundation for many types of employment. As in all other professions, it is also necessary to develop good writing and speaking skills in addition to a proficiency in science, mathematics and computers.