what is an ecologist?
An ecologist studies the relationships between various ecosystems or components. Your job is to examine the impact of interactions between living and non-living things in the environment. You also research the effects of actions by ecosystem members on other ecological phenomena like rainfall and temperature shifts or pollution.
Nature is supposed to be self-sustaining and can maintain ecological balance without the help of scientists. However, industrialisation and population shatter the balance, hence the need for ecologists to care for the environment. As an ecologist, you don't just examine the environment; you also try to rectify the imbalances in the ecosystems caused by human interference. For instance, you determine the impact of housing, urbanisation and recreational facilities on the environment.
what does an ecologist do?
As an ecologist, you are involved in conservation programmes and provide scientific expertise to policymakers and the management of major companies. Hence, the role requires intelligent application and interpretation of biological principles to make decisions that benefit the environment. You need exceptional research and interpretation skills to study tiny details and draw accurate conclusions.
Ecologists can serve in various fields related to the environment like agricultural research institutes, nature conservation, national parks and private organisations interested in environmental sustainability.
Would working as an ecologist suit your passion for the environment and research skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an ecologist role.
average salary of an ecologist
According to National Careers, an ecologist earns £22,000 per year at the start of their career. However, experienced ecologists enjoy a compensation package of up to £45,000 annually due to their expert-level skills and hands-on experience in research and interpretation. Ecologists also enjoy monetary and non-monetary benefits like medical insurance and house and transport allowances. Paid vacations and bonuses are also part of the compensation package.
what factors affect the salary of an ecologist?
Your salary depends on the job type, level of education and experience working as an ecologist. The minimum educational qualification for becoming an ecologist is a degree. If you have additional certifications and postgraduate qualifications, you earn more due to the complexity of your role. Some specialisms also attract better compensation packages due to high demand. For instance, an environmental protection ecologist is likely to earn more due to the increased attention to environmental conservation.
types of ecologists
Some of the types of ecologists include:
- field ecologist: you spend time collecting data and examining living organisms in their natural habitat. By studying their features, you can identify adaptation mechanisms and their role in the ecosystem.
- restoration ecologist: your role involves fixing parts of the ecosystem affected negatively by human beings to reduce the effects on the environment. As a restoration ecologist, you deal with coastal erosion, land clearing and poaching that affect ecological balance.
- marine biologist: you spend most of your career in water bodies studying water creatures and their role in the ecological balance. You also recommend ways to improve their habitat and avoid the extinction of rare marine species.
- environmental scientist: as an environmental scientist, you use research to safeguard the environment and its inhabitants. For instance, you study the potential dangers of chemicals to the environment and their long-term effects on human beings. You also assist in cleaning up pollutants and developing ways to reverse the harmful effects of human activities.
working as an ecologist
Working as an ecologist is a fulfilling career that equips you with knowledge of ecosystems and ways to protect them. Read on to discover an ecologist's daily tasks and work environment and decide if it is the right career for you.
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ecologist job description
Specific duties depend on the field of specialisation, but typical tasks include:
- research and testing disturbed ecosystems: as an ecologist, you develop a hypothesis on population and ecosystem functions before researching to test the theory's viability. You also conduct field, theoretical and laboratory research to find evidence supporting your claims. Your research efforts improve understanding of biodiversity and other subject matters related to the environment.
- analysing data and conducting studies: after your research, you need to organise the data to improve its interpretation from mere verifiable facts to meaningful information that assists in decision making. You may also be involved with research studies that uncover unique characteristics of various components of the ecosystems over time.
- advising organisations and the government on environmental impacts: studies often reveal underlying causes of behaviours of components of biodiversity. Hence, you need to communicate your findings to policymakers and government agencies through proposals and journals on environmental remediation. Sometimes, your role involves assessing the environmental damage in a particular region and developing restoration strategies.
- creating habitat management plans: if your job involves restoring the natural environment in parks and conservation areas, you have to conduct site assessments. Once you ascertain the environmental damage, you can create restoration schedules, budgets and habitat management initiatives like weed control or tree planting. You also provide technical support to field workers restoring the habitats.
- creating models to illustrate environmental remediation plans: as an ecologist, you develop models to help stakeholders visualise large-scale experimental studies on environmental conservation. You can use quantitative models to transform environmental theories into practical experiments and collect data on the potential impact of ecosystem changes.
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work environment
Your work environment depends on your duties and can be indoors and outdoors. When doing field research, you will work on land and underwater. The role could involve working in forests, wetlands and water bodies in different weather conditions to study organisms in their natural habitats. Some outdoor ecologists work in parks and wildlife conservation areas or visit communities. You may also work in a lab when testing soil samples and conducting other chemical research experiments. Since ecologists are also consultants, your job can involve working in an office setting to attend meetings, speak to policymakers and build computer models to aid research.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your field of study and employer, your colleagues might include other scientists such as zoologists, botanists and marine biologists. Zoologists and botanists help you understand animals and plants better and their importance in the ecosystems, while a marine biologist can illustrate the effects of pollution on water creatures. You also work in close proximity to natural resource managers, park naturalists and other specialists that could include environmental consultants, environmental protection specialists and biologists.
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work schedule
As an ecologist, your work schedule ranges from 39 to 41 hours a week based on the nature of your work. For instance, your work schedule is consistent between 8 am and 6 pm, with weekends off in an office or lab setting. Since you work full-time, expect overtime schedules, especially for outdoor activities. You may work on weekends and use evening hours for writing reports after spending the day in the field. Part-time opportunities are rare unless you are an ecological consultant. Some ecologists work on a contract basis to complete one study. A career in ecology also involves a lot of travelling for fieldwork.
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job outlook
As a junior ecologist, your role involves identifying common species using relevant tools before moving to a senior ecologist position and identifying all species in a habitat using appropriate aids. Your career path can guide you to various specialisms in the field, like urban ecology, that focuses on urban ecosystems and the impact of human activities. Some ecologists become marine biologists or forest ecologists, while others specialise in wildlife and environmental biology.
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advantages of finding an ecologist job through randstad
Finding your ecologist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an ecologist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Explore various ways of becoming an ecologist:
- university course: you can become an ecologist by pursuing a degree in conservation biology, zoology, marine or plant biology, botany or ecology & environmental sustainability. For the degree courses, you need 2 to 3 A levels. Some ecologist jobs require postgraduate qualifications like a master's or PhD in relevant subjects.
- apprenticeship: pursue postgraduate degree apprenticeship opportunities if you have a degree in a relevant science subject. Most ecologists usually gain experience through volunteer programmes.
skills and competencies
Some of the soft skills an ecologist needs include:
- interest or passion for nature: your job focuses on improving the quality of the environment people live in and their interactions with nature. You need to love and care for nature to understand the interdependence of various ecosystem components.
- analytical skills: an ecologist conducts various tests and field research to determine the cause of environmental problems and potential solutions. You need analytical skills to improve your decisions. Analytical skills help ecologists collect data and evaluate various environmental issues.
- technical skills: you will spend hours on your computer carrying out multiple tasks, and you should have computer skills to perform various functions. Technical skills also help you with model drawing using computer-aided design and statistical analysis that requires complex statistical methods.
- communication skills: as an ecologist, communication skills help you explain findings to your colleagues. You need to explain restoration plans to stakeholders and field teams undertaking restoration projects. Communication skills can also help you write reports and journals.
FAQs
FAQs about working as an ecologist
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what does an ecologist do?
Ecologists examine the relationships between various components of nature and develop ways to improve environmental conservation. They also assist in the formulation of environmental policies to improve sustainability.
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is an ecologist a good career?
If you love spending time outdoors and bonding with nature, you will enjoy working as an ecologist. It is a satisfying career that allows you to make an impact on the environment.
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what is an ecologist degree?
A degree in ecology equips you with knowledge and methods of examining relationships between plants, animals and the environment. You also learn the models used to predict events in an ecosystem.
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what qualifications are necessary for an ecologist?
To become an ecologist, you need a degree in environmental science or related subjects and postgraduate qualifications. Certifications help you secure jobs and research studies.
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how do I apply for an ecologist vacancy?
Applying for an ecologist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
