ecologist

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.
  
   

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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. 

 

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!