Description
Study the physical, chemical, and geological properties of oceans and coastal seas, using field observations, remote sensing, laboratory analysis, and numerical models. Investigate circulation, waves, tides, biogeochemical cycles, seafloor processes, and ocean-atmosphere interactions to support navigation, climate research, hazard assessment, resource evaluation, and environmental management.
- • Analyze and interpret oceanographic, geochemical, and geophysical data from CTDs, ADCPs, moorings, gliders, cores, sonar, and satellites.
- • Plan and conduct oceanographic cruises, sampling programs, instrument deployments, and coring to collect water, sediment, and geophysical data.
- • Investigate the composition, structure, and history of water masses, the seafloor, and marine sediments through collection and laboratory analysis.
- • Prepare bathymetric maps, ocean sections, current and wave charts, and reports for coastal and marine resource management.
- • Locate and assess offshore mineral resources, submarine groundwater discharge, and sites for cables, pipelines, or marine renewables.
- • Model and assess currents, tides, storm surge, and pollutant transport to guide spill response, dredging, siting, and restoration.
- • Conduct oceanographic studies to support regional development, port and harbor design, and marine spatial planning.
- • Advise agencies and firms on coastal protection, shoreline stabilization, offshore foundations, navigation safety, and resource use.
- • Communicate findings via technical reports, peer-reviewed papers, conference presentations, and teaching.
- • Measure ocean properties—temperature, salinity, currents, waves, sea level, acoustics, and magnetics—using CTDs, ADCPs, buoys, and gauges.
- • Test and characterize seawater, sediments, and rocks using optical, X-ray, isotopic, and other precision instruments.
- • Develop software and workflows for processing, modeling, and visualizing oceanographic and geophysical data.
- • Analyze datasets with statistical and numerical models, GIS, and remote-sensing tools.
- • Create seafloor and geohazard maps; monitor slope stability, faults, and submarine landslides; advise offshore operations.
- • Collaborate with health researchers on harmful algal blooms, pathogen transport, and exposure to marine toxins.
- • Evaluate the occurrence and stability of methane hydrates and implications for energy and climate.
- • Develop strategies to mitigate coastal erosion, sediment loss, and marine aerosol impacts on infrastructure and health.
- • Advance environmentally responsible offshore resource exploration and marine habitat restoration.
- • Develop methods to capture, monitor, or utilize gases from offshore oil and gas operations and reduce flaring.
- • Identify marine sources of critical minerals and assess environmental risks.
- • Identify and evaluate sites and methods for ocean-based carbon sequestration, including blue carbon and alkalinity enhancement.
- • Assess potential for wave, tidal, and ocean thermal energy and associated environmental impacts.
- • Advise on siting, safety, and environmental monitoring for offshore energy facilities and subsea storage.
- • Research ocean mixing, chemistry, and geomechanics relevant to carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas fluxes.
- • Develop ways to reduce the marine footprint of megacities, including wastewater, heat discharges, and dredging effects.
- • Review work plans for mitigating marine contamination, dredge disposal, and restoration, and evaluate effectiveness.
- • Study paleoclimate indicators in marine sediments and corals to improve climate models.
- • Compile and synthesize scientific literature, hydrographic records, and environmental reports.
- • Identify risks for tsunamis, storm surge, coastal flooding, harmful algal blooms, and submarine landslides.
- • Inspect coastal and offshore construction, conduct tests, and troubleshoot oceanographic or geotechnical issues.
- • Identify and assess sources of marine aggregates for beach nourishment and other construction uses.
- • Review environmental and technical reports for accuracy, data quality, and regulatory compliance.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
