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Ocean Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Saildrone

USV Pilot

Alameda, CA · On-site

$43.36 - $56.34/hr

We focus on real-time vehicle monitoring, safe navigation, and mission execution to deliver high-quality data for ocean science, environmental monitoring, and defense applications. Your work ensures ...

AtOrchard LLC

Outreach Communicator

Austin, TX · On-site

This position works with diverse audiences including students, educators, coastal communities, tribal leaders, and local governments to promote ocean science literacy and awareness of NOAA ...

Axiom Consultants

Education Coordinator

Rockville, MD · Remote

Managing Professional Development Workshops for educators in the use of Learning Ocean Science through Ocean Exploration curriculum in accordance with Government-approved deadlines; and providing ...

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Ocean Science information

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$11K

$80.4K

$153.5K

How much do ocean science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for ocean science in the United States is $80,389.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,500.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in ocean science, and why are they important?

To excel in Ocean Science, a strong background in marine biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics is essential, typically supported by a relevant degree such as oceanography or marine science. Familiarity with scientific research methods, field sampling equipment, GIS software, and data analysis tools like MATLAB or R is commonly required. Critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating on research projects and sharing findings with stakeholders. These competencies enable professionals to conduct rigorous research, contribute to marine conservation, and address complex environmental challenges.

What are jobs that work in ocean science?

Jobs in ocean science include oceanographers, marine biologists, marine chemists, and physical oceanographers. These roles involve studying ocean ecosystems, climate interactions, and marine resources, often requiring fieldwork, data analysis, and specialized equipment like sonar and sampling tools.

How much do ocean scientists get paid?

Ocean scientists' salaries vary based on experience, education, and location, but the median annual wage in the field is around $70,000 to $80,000. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced researchers or those in senior roles can earn over $100,000 annually. Many ocean scientists work in research institutions, government agencies, or environmental organizations, often requiring specialized skills and fieldwork experience.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in ocean science and how can they be addressed?

Ocean scientists often face challenges such as conducting research in remote and harsh marine environments, dealing with limited access to research vessels or equipment, and navigating complex regulatory requirements for sample collection. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and institutions can help overcome logistical hurdles, while staying updated on technological advancements (such as remote sensing and autonomous underwater vehicles) can ease data collection. Building strong communication skills is also crucial, as ocean science frequently involves conveying findings to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.

What can you do with an ocean science degree?

An ocean science degree prepares individuals for careers such as marine biologist, oceanographer, environmental consultant, or research scientist. Graduates often work in research institutions, government agencies, or environmental organizations, utilizing skills in data analysis, fieldwork, and laboratory techniques to study marine ecosystems and address environmental challenges.

What is ocean science?

Ocean science, also known as oceanography, is the study of the ocean and its processes, including the physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of the marine environment. Ocean scientists investigate topics such as ocean currents, marine life, ecosystems, and how oceans interact with the atmosphere and climate. Their research helps us understand environmental changes, manage marine resources, and protect ocean health.

What is the difference between Ocean Science vs Marine Biology?

AspectOcean ScienceMarine Biology
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in oceanography, marine science, or related fieldsBachelor's or higher in marine biology, biology, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch vessels, laboratories, field sites across oceansMarine research centers, aquariums, fieldwork in marine habitats
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, research institutionsResearch institutions, aquariums, environmental organizations

Ocean Science is a broad field focusing on the physical, chemical, and geological aspects of the oceans, while Marine Biology concentrates on the biological and ecological aspects of marine organisms. Both careers often overlap but differ in their primary focus and research methods.

More about Ocean Science jobs
What cities are hiring for Ocean Science jobs? Cities with the most Ocean Science job openings:
What states have the most Ocean Science jobs? States with the most job openings for Ocean Science jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ocean Science jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ocean Science jobs are:
Ocean Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ocean Science job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,389 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, OAE Process-Model Testbed

Convergent Research

Boulder, CO

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

About [C]Worthy

[C]Worthy is a non-profit research organization focused on transforming research-grade oceanographic models into open, reproducible, and auditable decision-support tools for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Our mission is to deliver trustworthy, science-backed tools for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)-enabling governments, communities, and markets to make high-stakes ocean decisions grounded in transparent, scientifically credible evidence.

We are building three interlocking open-science capabilities: C-Star, an open-source modeling platform that systematizes regional ocean model configuration, execution, and evaluation through versioned inputs, automated workflows, and comprehensive provenance tracking; the C-Star Ocean Network (C-SON), a growing constellation of standardized regional modeling domains designed to support consistent CDR accounting across sites and regions; and the Ocean CDR Atlas, an open dataset library and web tools that map CDR performance, connectivity, and risk drivers across ocean regions-providing the basis for low-cost MRV evaluation and standard-setting worldwide.

These capabilities are not CDR tools alone-they are the foundation for scalable ocean science. Robust shared infrastructure makes knowledge transferable and auditable: once validated domains, standardized workflows, and reusable tooling are in place, the marginal cost of each additional application falls and the benefits of research innovation can flow across a network of projects and regions. We aspire to democratize access to sophisticated ocean information tools, empowering diverse scientific communities to participate in ocean governance and marine resource management on their own terms.

[C]Worthy is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to develop a one-dimensional (1D) OAE process-model testbed within the C-Star modeling system. This lightweight, rapidly iterable modeling environment is designed to isolate and characterize the biogeochemical processes most critical to OAE efficacy in the vicinity of alkalinity addition: mineral particulate dissolution and precipitation kinetics, particle transport and sinking, electrochemical alkalinity addition, and sediment alkalinity cycling. The processes identified by the 1D testbed will enable increasing skill and confidence in estimates of total alkalinity delivery into the regional-scale water column, and act as a tool for uncertainty characterization. The resulting parameterizations will feed directly into three-dimensional ROMS-MARBL regional model configurations-ensuring that scientific advances made in the testbed translate immediately into improved operational MRV tools across [C]Worthy's full modeling stack.

This project addresses a fundamental bottleneck in OAE science: the mismatch between the complexity of the relevant biogeochemical processes and the computational cost of resolving them in full 3D ocean simulations. The 1D testbed eliminates that mismatch, enabling rapid parameter sweeps, systematic perturbed-parameter ensembles, and clean comparison against laboratory and field datasets. The work proceeds in close collaboration with industry partners including Ebb Carbon, Planetary, and Isometric, who will contribute empirical constraints from field and laboratory deployments.
Key Responsibilities

Testbed Development and Scientific Investigation

  • Design and implement a one-dimensional OAE process-model testbed within C-Star, using a lightweight physical solution (idealized mixing, turbulence, lateral flows) that allows rapid model prototyping and iteration.

  • Develop a generalized representation of explicitly sinking particulate material within the MARBL biogeochemical model, including parameterizations of mineral dissolution (e.g., olivine, calcite), precipitation kinetics, and particle sinking velocities.

  • Develop and calibrate representations of particles generated in situ by electrochemical and mineral alkalinity addition, in collaboration with industry and other research partners.

  • Run large perturbed-parameter ensembles to systematically explore parameter space and quantitatively assess uncertainty in OAE-relevant outcomes.

  • Validate parameterizations against existing empirical datasets from laboratory experiments and field deployments, in close collaboration with Ebb Carbon, Planetary Technologies and other partners.

  • Develop and/or implement a simplified model of alkalinity cycling in seafloor sediments, characterizing the level of sediment process representation required for robust OAE simulation at regional scales.

Integration and Infrastructure

  • Implement all process formulations within the ROMS-MARBL framework so that validated parameterizations are immediately portable to three-dimensional C-Star configurations.

  • Contribute to C-Star software infrastructure, ensuring the testbed is a first-class C-Star component with proper blueprint and workplan schema, documentation, and reproducibility.

  • Develop tutorials and demonstrations for how to use the testbed to develop and improve OAE-related parameterizations-supporting the broader research community's ability to contribute process advances.

Scientific Communication and Collaboration

  • Maintain active, substantive collaboration with Ebb Carbon, Planetary Technology, Isometric, and other partners to ensure model development is grounded in practical implementation and observational reality.

  • Submit peer-reviewed manuscripts documenting parameterization calibration, validation, and scientific findings.

  • Contribute to [C]Worthy's broader scientific program, including participation in field-building, user roundtables, and community engagement.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in oceanography, marine chemistry, geochemistry, chemical oceanography, or a closely related field.

  • Strong background in ocean biogeochemistry, including carbonate chemistry, alkalinity, and marine carbon cycling.

  • Familiarity with marine mineral dissolution/precipitation kinetics and/or particle dynamics.

  • Scientific software development proficiency in Python; experience working with biogeochemical model code (Python, Fortran, or Julia).

  • Ability to design systematic numerical experiments, interpret results in light of observational constraints, and communicate findings clearly.

  • Collaborative disposition and comfort working in partnership with industry stakeholders alongside academic researchers.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with MARBL or a comparable marine biogeochemistry library; familiarity with ROMS-MARBL coupling.
  • Prior research on OAE, mineral weathering and dissolution, mineral precipitation, or related alkalinity-modifying processes.
  • Experience developing, calibrating, or validating models.
  • Laboratory or field experience with OAE experiments, tracer releases, or marine carbonate chemistry measurements.
  • Familiarity with Bayesian calibration methods, ensemble parameter estimation, or uncertainty quantification.
  • Interest in agentic AI applications for scientific model development and workflow automation.
$83,000 - $95,000 a year
This position is full-time, fixed-term (1 year, with possibility of renewal), subject to funding availability. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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