The path to becoming a marine chemist is entirely dependent on the type of marine chemist job you want: chemists who work aboard boats to ensure fire safety typically have a chemical engineering background, whereas chemists who study ocean composition typically have a biology, oceanography, or other hard science background. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in basic chemistry or engineering, as well as some practical experience in large vessel mechanics, is usually enough to become a marine chemist in the fire preparedness and occupational safety sector. If you want to be a marine chemist who studies ocean water and the health of the seas, this training won’t help you much. In that case, an ocean chemistry degree and experience working in ocean labs and sea research facilities are your best bets.
In either case, education and experience are critical to your success in the field. With very few exceptions, a university degree is required. You can supplement your education with hands-on experience, such as an internship or a field study course, or you can pursue completely extracurricular pursuits. One of the best ways to break into the field of engineering chemistry, especially for engineering chemists, is to demonstrate aptitude early on. A passion for research, on the other hand, is required to work as a marine chemist in the oceanographic field.
To work as a marine chemist, you must first study chemistry, with a focus on inorganic processes, reactions, and the physics of chemical engineering. Chemical engineering courses are available at many technical universities, but smaller schools with fewer departments will put more of the onus on you to specialize. Investigate different training opportunities in your area — either during the school year or during the summer — that will demonstrate how your education can be applied to vessel safety. Internships and summer courses related to ships and ship safety are included.
With a basic degree, you should be able to find entry-level work in most places. Intensive training as a marine chemist is almost always required, but it is usually included as part of your job orientation. Training can last anywhere from six months to a year, depending on your employer, and usually entails intensive apprentice work on board ships under the supervision of more experienced supervisors. In most jurisdictions, marine chemist requirements include passing a licensing exam and re-certification on a regular basis.
Marine chemists in this position often have a lot of room for advancement. Vessels all over the world must be inspected to ensure that they are both seaworthy and disaster-ready, particularly in the event of a fire. Marine chemist jobs are always in demand in the oil shipping and military sectors, which are among the most heavily regulated. With the right education, training, and on-the-job success, you should have no trouble finding meaningful work — and you might even discover that becoming a marine chemist is easier than you imagined.
If you want to be a marine chemist who studies the ocean, getting started can be difficult. The vast majority of oceanographic marine chemists have earned a postgraduate degree, typically a doctorate. This type of in-depth academic research usually necessitates the marine chemist focusing on a single aspect of the field. Some people know exactly what they want to study when they graduate, but this is not the case for the majority of people. If you’re not sure which aspect of the field you want to focus on, look for work experience in a variety of fields to get a sense of the various options.
Many marine chemistry teams hire recent graduates for entry-level positions, but these positions typically offer little opportunity for advancement without additional education. Nonetheless, they are an excellent way to gain experience and a common starting point for many. Tangible experience will enhance your graduate school applications and will also assist you in defining your future goals and identifying the marine chemist careers that most interest you.