Palaeontology careers
What do palaeontologists do?
Palaeontology is the study of fossils. Most professional palaeontologists
have jobs that fall into one of three categories: industrial palaeontologists,
academic palaeontologists (carry out their own research in palaeontology
in museums or universities and who often teach at universities), and
museum curators. There are also four main areas within palaeontology:
invertebrate palaeontology, vertebrate palaeontology, micropalaeontology
and palaeobotany.
You can find out more on what these terms mean and a lot of helpful
careers advice on the Natural History Museum’s website:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/researchcuration/departments/palaeontology/careers/index.html
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/kids-only/ologist/palaeontologist/
There is also some information about the various jobs that
palaeontologists can do on the website of the Palaeontological
Association:
http://www.palass.org/modules.php?name=palaeo&sec=careers
See also page 20 of the Palaeontological Association Newsletter (2002) for
advice on palaeontology careers:
http://newsletter.palass-pubs.org/pdf/News50.pdf
There is some information about geology and related careers on the British
Geological Survey website:
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/careers/
Getting involved
Whatever your age, there are lots of groups which help you learn about
the geology of your area and participate in organized fossil-hunting trips.
See these websites for links to groups and lists of geology or natural
history societies near you:
http://www.rockwatch.org.uk
http://discoveringfossils.co.uk
http://www.ukfossils.co.uk/
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsl/op/compa</groups/regional
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/research-curation/library/digital-library/naturesocieties-online/
http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/home.html
Think about applying for work experience or volunteering with us or your
local museum. You can apply for work experience at The Natural History
Museum after the age of 15:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/volunteer/index.html
This will develop your interest and also looks good on your CV or
university application.
GCSEs
Studying sciences (biology, physics and chemistry) and maths at GCSE
helps to get into the science of palaeontology. If your school offers
geology or geography at GCSE and A-level that’s a good choice but don’t
worry if they don’t. Because many schools do not offer Geology, most
geology degrees do not require you to have taken geology A-level.
A-levels
The best way to decide is probably to choose which university course you
want to do and find out what subjects they ask for. As with GCSEs science
subjects are likely to be important. For your personal statement it may be
good to show that you have an interest in geology, biology or science in
general outside of school.
Degrees
Palaeontologists use skills from both geology and biology. There are many
different types of degrees which can lead to becoming a palaeontologist.
Degree subjects include Geology/Earth Sciences,
Palaeobiology/Palaeontology, Biology/Zoology, and Natural Sciences. Some
institutions offer joint honours degrees which include aspects of both
geology and biology degrees.
Some of the institutions with palaeobiology-related degrees include (in no
particular order):
University College London:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/es/admissions/palaeo.htm
Portsmouth:
http://www.port.ac.uk/courses/coursetypes/undergraduate/BScHonsPalaeobi
ologyAndEvolution/
Bristol:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2010/sections/GELY/354
/admissions_joint
Leicester:
http://www.le.ac.uk/ugprospectus/courses/geosciences/palaeobiology.html?
searchterm=palaeobiology
Cambridge (Natural Sciences Tripos: options including invertebrate and
vertebrate palaeontology are offered by the Zoology and Earth Sciences
departments):
http://www.cam.ac.uk/about/natscitripos/
You can search for other relevant degrees through UCAS:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/
If you take the Geology/Earth Sciences or Biology/Zoology route, some
degree courses will have more palaeontology taught in them than others.
It is a good idea to find out how much of the course will be on
palaeontology. Some geology courses focus mainly on developing the
skills needed to work in the oil industry (a major employer of geology
graduates) and so do not necessarily teach much palaeontology,
particularly vertebrate palaeontology. However, it might also be good to
bear in mind possible future careers that don’t involve palaeontology, just
in case you change your mind. Throughout your degree think about
gaining skills that will be useful in any future job, such as team work and
IT.
There are also part time options. Some of these give you the flexibility to
tailor your degree to palaeontology:
Birkbeck:
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/ug/earthsciences/UCHEAHIS.html
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/ug/geology/UBSEASCI.html
Open University:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/science/index.htm
Volunteering
Volunteering really helps when starting out a career in palaeontology.
Think carefully about what experience and skills you want to build whilst
volunteering and be selective. For more information about volunteering at
the NHM, see the website link below and check the NHM vacancies page
for volunteering opportunities:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/volunteer/volunteering/
Smaller museums may also have interesting volunteer positions for those
with a science background.
Paid work experience
This is valuable even if it’s not directly related to palaeontology, especially
if you are gaining transferable skills that will be useful in any future job,
such as administration, IT and teamwork.
Two useful websites for finding paid work that is in museums are:
http://www.museumjobs.com/
http://www.le.ac.uk/ms/jobs/job_titles_jobid.htm
Further qualifications
More information about MSc’s related to museum palaeontology is
available here:
http://www.palass.org/modules.php?name=palaeo&sec=careers&page=95
If you are interested in museum palaeontology you may alternatively
consider an MA or MSc in Museum Studies. You can find more information
about these here:
http://www.museumsassociation.org/careers/8326
It is sometimes possible to get funding for masters courses and this is
worth asking about for any course you are considering. One source of
funding for Museum Studies is the Arts and Humanities Research Council:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundingOpportunities/Pages/BrowseOpportunitiesOld
.aspx
Researchers traditionally have a PhD and increasingly so do curators. To be
eligible for PhD funding from a UK research council (e.g. NERC), you will
need a 2:1 or a 1st Class honours degree, or a 2:2 if you also have a
masters qualification. You may also be eligible if you have substantial
relative experience. You can get an idea of what’s available from the
website below:
http://www.findaphd.com/
Good luck!
Museum work and palaeontology are both rewarding and competitive
fields and it is often some combination of volunteering, work experience
and further qualifications - plus a little determination – that pays off. Good
luck and we wish you every success in your future career.
For further information
Luanne Faulknall, Earth Sciences Advisor
Identification and Advisory Service
Call: 020 7942 5045
Email: ias2@nhm.ac.uk
Visit our forum: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/community/identification