Ecologist
Help to protect and restore the natural environment. Explore the effects of human behaviour on the environment and on animal ecosystems.
About the job
A day in the life – Ecologist
What it's like
Ecologists help to protect and restore the natural environment. They provide important information on how human activity affects individual species and ecosystems. They also study the relationships between animals, plants and the environment.
As an ecologist, you’ll usually specialise in a specific area of the environment. This means you’ll be able to study an area you’re passionate about – whether that’s animals found deep in the ocean or plants that grow on jungle floors.
What you might do:
carry out fieldwork
survey and record information on plants, animals, environmental conditions and Biodiversity
deliver lessons or lectures
There are three main types of ecologist:
consultant ecologist
landscape ecologist
marine ecologist
As a consultant ecologist you could:
research the impact of human activity, like housing and intensive agriculture, on the environment
build computer models to predict the effects of development or climate change
research and contribute to legislation and policy
As a landscape ecologist, you could:
manage and create wildlife conservation areas, woodland and meadows
monitor species and habitats
manage a team of volunteers
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
You could expect to work Monday to Friday, over usual office hours – though this may vary depending on your research subjects. For example, a survey of bat behaviour would need to take place at night!
Environment
Your research could take you to both rural and urban habitats, as well as being out at sea. You could also expect to spend some time in an office environment, working on research and reports.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- ecology
- ornithology
- zoology
- botany
- invasive species management
- field surveys
- survey methodologies
- terrestrial ecology
- habitat assessment
- avian ecology
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- ethical
- attention to detail
- observation
- working with numbers
- working with technology
- reading
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Geography
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
Not all employers list specific qualification requirements but they do ask for relevant experience, usually work-based.
There are different ways to get qualified for this job through college, university or work-based qualifications, such as apprenticeships.
Most ecologists will have a degree in:
environmental science
biology
geography
zoology
marine biology
Employers might consider applicants without formal qualifications if they can demonstrate knowledge and experience of the industry.
Not all employers list specific qualification requirements but they might ask for relevant experience, usually work based, that show a range of transferable skills.
Find environmental volunteering roles on Volunteer.scot.
It’s helpful to join your local Wildlife Trust and become a member of a relevant professional body, such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
There are skills-based courses that provide an opportunity to get extra skills valued by employers:
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Ecologist'
