A graphic of a person in a lab coat looking at a tablet in front of a body of water.

Sea Level Scientist

Job Sector:

Energy and Natural Resources

Potential Salary (USD):

Low End: $40,000.00 /yr
Avg/Med: $85,000.00 /yr
High End: $160,000.00 /yr

Education Required:

  • Bachelor of Environmental Science, or
  • Master of Oceanography, or
  • Master of Marine Biology or Affairs

Job Outlook:

The demand for Sea Level Scientists is expected to grow as climate change increasingly impacts coastal areas. Governments, research institutions, and NGOs are investing in climate resilience and adaptation projects, creating more opportunities for experts in this field.

Career Profile Overview:

Sea Level Scientists are specialized researchers who study the factors influencing changes in sea levels, including melting ice sheets, thermal expansion, and ocean currents. Their work is crucial in understanding the impact of climate change on coastal regions and predicting future risks such as flooding, erosion, and habitat loss. These scientists are also known as Marine Geologists, Paleoceanographers, or Paleoclimatologists and often look at past and current data to make assessments about the future.

Rolling waves along a beach with rocky cliffs in the distance
Man sitting at a desk working a multi-monitor computer with maps and data.

Data Collection and Monitoring:

  • Use satellite imagery, tide gauges, and remote sensing tools to track sea level changes.

Climate Modelling:

  • Develop and refine climate models to predict future sea level scenarios.

Impact Assessment:

  • Assess the effects of sea level rise on ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities.

Policy Development:

  • Provide scientific guidance for designing coastal protection strategies.

Educational Path:

  • High School: Focus on advanced coursework in math, physics, environmental science, and computer science.
  • Postsecondary: Required in fields such as oceanography, environmental science, or geophysics.
  • Advanced Degrees: Often preferred for advanced research roles or academic positions. Specializations in climate science or hydrology are common.

Certifications:

  • Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools can be beneficial.

Entry-Level:

  • Environmental Technician: Collects and analyzes environmental data for monitoring and compliance.
  • Research Assistant: Supports scientific research by conducting experiments and collecting data.
  • GIS Analyst: Creates and analyzes geospatial data for mapping and decision-making.

Mid-Level:

  • Climate Scientist: Studies Earth’s climate systems and models climate change impacts.
  • Coastal Engineer: Designs solutions for coastal protection and sustainable development.
  • Marine Policy Specialist: Develops and advocates for policies related to ocean governance.

Senior-Level:

  • Lead Oceanographer: Directs oceanographic research projects and interprets data.
  • Climate Risk Manager: Identifies and mitigates climate-related risks for organizations.
  • Director of Coastal Resilience Programs: Leads initiatives to enhance coastal communities’ resilience to climate impacts.
  • Data Analysis: Ability to interpret complex data sets and climate models.
  • Software Proficiency: Expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and climate modeling software.
  • Communication: Capable of explaining scientific findings to policymakers and the public.
  • Teamwork: Works effectively in multidisciplinary teams involving scientists, engineers, and policymakers.

United States:

Scripps Institution of Oceanography (California)

  • Programs: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Oceanography and Climate Science.
  • Website: Scripps

Columbia University (New York)

University of Washington (Washington)

  • Program: Bachelor’s in Oceanography, Master’s in Marine Affairs.
  • Website: U of Washington

Canada:

University of British Columbia (British Columbia)

  • Program: Bachelor’s in Environmental Science, Master’s in Oceanography.
  • Website: UBC

Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia)

  • Program: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Marine Biology.
  • Website: Dalhousie

University of Victoria (British Columbia)

  • Program: Bachelor’s in Earth and Ocean Sciences, Climate Studies.
  • Website: UVic

NASA Sea Level Change Team (N-SLCT)

A team of over 40 people grouped up standing in front of a body of water.

The N-SLCT was established in 2014 with the goal of improving the understanding of regional relative sea-level change on a range of timescales. NASA sought to build an interdisciplinary team of scientists that could work in a collaborative environment and tackle these scientific challenges.

Contributions

The team is working on various projects like “Contributions to Coastal Sea Level Extremes: Understanding the Past and Projecting the Future” and “Attributions of past regional sea level variations and projection of future sea level changes” to determine predictions of what the future might hold for our coastlines and environment.

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration: NASA

Drone flying around a snow, mountainous landscape.
Medium size conservation lake with blue waters, light ripples, and a number of different tree species lining the perimeter.

Resources and Further Reading: