Paleontologists plan, direct, and conduct fieldwork projects to search for fossils or collect samples. They document the work site and dig up fossils or take core samples from lakes, soil, or ice sheets. They then need to preserve the specimens and prepare them for transport to the institution where they'll be cleaned and studied. Some work in laboratories, using chemical techniques to analyze fossilized samples and ancient pollen. They share their research by writing journal articles and presenting to colleagues at professional conferences. Most need to write applications for grants to support their research. Many teach and conduct research as faculty members at colleges and universities.

Paleontologists usually specialize in a particular research area. For example, micropaleontologists study microscopic fossils. Paleobotanistsconduct research on fossil plants, including algae and fungi. Palynologists study pollen and spores. Invertebrate paleontologists study fossils of invertebrate animals like mollusks and worms. Vertebrate paleontologists focus on the fossils of vertebrate animals, including fish. Human paleontologists or paleoanthropologists focus on the fossils of prehistoric humans and pre-human hominids. Taphonomists study the process that creates fossils. Ichnologists hunt for fossil tracks, trails, and footprints, such as the dinosaur tracks found in Arkansas in 2011. Paleoecologists use fossils, spores, pollen, and other information to study the ecologies and climates of the past.

The revelations they uncover can help us understand the past, so that we don't repeat it. They can also provide context for comparison between the current state of our environment and biodiversity, and those of ancient and turbulent epochs.

<https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/paleontologist>

You could do a degree in:

• botany

• Earth sciences

• geology

• palaeontology

• zoology

Some employers, like museums or oil and gas companies, may ask for a postgraduate qualification like a MGeol, MBiol or MSci.

Other employers, like universities or research institutions, will expect you to have completed, or be working towards, a PhD in your specialist area of interest.

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

https://www.whatuni.com/degree-courses/search?subject=paleontology

Example Courses:

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/05741/phd-mphil-palaeontology/

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/courses/undergraduate/earth-sciences.aspx

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2022/palaeontology-evolution/bsc-palaeontology-and-evolution/

https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/1b6dac72-6fcc-4520-9526-9a1a6195f132?academicYearId=2022