On "Friends", what is Ross' occupation?

On “Friends,” Ross Geller’s occupation is paleontologist.

Ross’s passion for prehistoric life is one of his defining traits throughout the sitcom. He holds a Ph.D. in paleontology and initially works at the Museum of Natural History, where he studies fossils and dinosaurs. His enthusiasm for the subject often becomes a source of comedy because his friends do not always share his excitement.

Ross later leaves museum work and becomes a professor of paleontology at New York University. That career change can cause confusion, since “college professor” is also a correct description of a later job, but paleontologist is the canonical answer to the general question about his occupation. The series consistently presents him as a scientist specializing in ancient life.

The character’s academic background also explains why Ross is frequently called “Dr. Geller.” His work is distinct from that of an archaeologist, who studies human history through artifacts, while a paleontologist studies fossils and ancient organisms. Ross’s job is also separate from David Schwimmer’s real-life occupation: Schwimmer is the actor who played him.