You could specialise in:

• the study of specific plant groups
• plant anatomy and physiology
• biochemistry
• molecular biology
• genetics
• ecology
• marine botany
• paleobotany - the study of fossilised plant remains
• taxonomy - the identification and classification of plants

Your work will vary depending on your role, but could include:

• identifying, classifying, recording and monitoring plant species and biodiversity
• ecological consultancy work, including surveys and environmental impact assessments
• managing a botanical collection
• searching for new species
• studying the effects of pollution on plant life
• identifying and purifying chemicals produced by plants for use in products like drugs, food, fabrics, solvents and building materials
• presenting research results in journals, books and at academic conferences
• training and supervising junior staff and volunteers
• teaching at a university

You could work at a university, at a research facility or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

With experience in industry, you could move into a more senior position. In field research and conservation, you’ll usually need to take on organisational, management or advisory responsibilities in order to progress.

You could move into plant science, investigating biodiversity, crop production and plant diseases.

You could also become a freelance consultant.