Oceanographer (Oceanograaf)
Information on this skill...
An oceanographer is a scientist who practices oceanography, which is also known as marine science. Oceanography belongs to earth science, which consists of several scientific fields. As an oceanographer, you study all the physical and biological properties and phenomena that occur in the oceans. As an oceanographer, there are several sub-areas in which the oceanographer specializes, such as biological oceanography (marine biology), chemical oceanography (interaction of chemical elements in the oceans), geological oceanography (studying seabeds) and physical oceanography (physical properties of the oceans). A research area for which an oceanographer can be responsible is, for example, climate change, in order to be able to predict better and more reliably climate changes and what the consequences of these changes are for people, nature and society. The substantive activities of an oceanographer cannot simply be indicated because this can differ per specialization and research. In all cases, an oceanographer should be seen as a scientist who specializes in marine science. Think, for example, of researching ocean currents, investigating ecosystems, researching seabeds or investigating waves. This kind of research is important because the oceans affect the climate system in different ways. As an oceanographer, you may also be responsible for investigating the consequences of melting glaciers and ice caps, as melting glaciers and ice sheets affect sea levels. Another area of research within marine biology is investigating why something lives and where it lives in the ocean. As an oceanographer, physics, mathematics, climatology and meteorology are important.
Thus, an oceanographer may be responsible for conducting various investigations. Despite the fact that the work of oceanographers has similarities with the work of a hydrologist, these professions are not entirely comparable because a hydrologist is more concerned with the water cycle of the earth. The work of oceanographer is more focused on sea currents and the interaction between the different oceans and the climate. As an oceanographer, you study the hydrosphere (all water), but there are different scientific fields. For example, marine biology relates to life in the seas and oceans and marine chemistry relates to geochemistry. Geochemistry is a natural science that studies chemical processes. Think, for example, of minerals in the seas or in the oceans, which undergo a process of change because they are exposed to high pressure or to high temperatures. Physical oceanography refers to processes that influence or determine the Earth's climate, such as sea currents or sea level rises.
An oceanographer is therefore a scientist who can conduct research within different subfields, such as biology, chemistry, physics and geology, relating to seas or oceans. Marine research and ocean research is important because the earth consists of seventy percent of seas and oceans. Because the earth consists of seventy percent seas and oceans, seas and oceans have a major influence on the climate. In addition, an oceanographer may be involved in other studies, such as growing seaweed or saltwater layers that could potentially serve as a food source for humans. Marine ecology also plays an important role in oceanography because the biodiversity of all oceans is large. In addition, algae contribute to an important part of the oxygen content in the atmosphere. Meteorology also plays an important role in oceanography. As an oceanographer, you are in many cases a field worker, who carries out scientific research on location. Think, for example, of working on a seagoing vessel or diving to carry out research. In addition, an oceanographer may have to deal with fixed research centers and laboratories.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEA AND OCEAN
The main difference between a sea and an ocean is that a sea belongs to a continent and that a sea does not have its own circulation (sea current). An ocean, on the other hand, does not belong to a continent and does have its own sea current. An ocean can contain several seas. There are five oceans in the world, namely the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
WHAT DOES AN OCEANOGRAPHER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME AN OCEANOGRAPHER
Those who aspire to a career as an oceanographer can best choose to study earth sciences at university. The study earth sciences covers various sciences such as geology, physical geography, geophysics, meteorology and oceanography. This study has different names such as physics and meteorology & physical oceanography, oceanography and climate and marine biology and oceanography. As an oceanographer, physics and mathematics are important. The English course is also important because oceanographers usually work together with various international researchers. For more information on this subject, see also the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE AN OCEANOGRAPHER CAN WORK
As an oceanographer, in most cases you work for a research institute, or you work for an environmental organization. In addition, as an oceanographer, you can be affiliated with a university or work for the government.
COMPETENCES OCEANOGRAPHER
As an oceanographer, you are a scientist, and you will need to have research skills. In addition, communication can be regarded as an important competence because in most cases you will work together with different researchers and external parties. Even though you're a researcher, you won't spend all your time in a lab. Most oceanographers should also be regarded as field workers. A good condition is also important as an oceanographer because it can happen that you have to walk, climb or dive for your work. Generally important words are analyzing, analytical, perseverance, energy, courage, performance, independence, planning, cooperation and motivation.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS AN OCEANOGRAPHER
The labour market perspective of an oceanographer is moderate in the Netherlands. However, it is conceivable that there are other professions that are also eligible if you have the right study. In addition, you can work abroad as an oceanographer because there are many countries that carry out research. The career opportunities as an oceanographer should be seen in obtaining a PhD or obtaining a managerial position as a researcher.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OCEANOGRAPHER
There are no examples of specific employment conditions because as an oceanographer, you can work for various employers with different collective agreements. Within this profession, it is conceivable that you will travel a lot for your work. An oceanographer will usually earn a salary between 3500 and 6000 euros gross per month, depending on age, education and further responsibilities.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
Lesen Sie diese Informationen auf Ozeanograph auf Deutsch.
Lea esta información sobre Oceanografo en español.
Lees deze informatie over Oceanograaf in het Nederlands.
Mijnzzp.nl