Lead Biologist / Diver

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust and our vision
is of a world supporting a healthy ocean to sustain all life. We have been connecting people
with the ocean for over 20 years, encouraging everyone to #thinkocean!

Our aquarium in Plymouth includes three large displays of 500,000 litres, 650,000 litres and
2.5 million litres, themed on the native UK marine environment, the Great Barrier Reef, and the
Caribbean respectively.

An opportunity has arisen for the right candidate to join our team as a Lead Biologist/Diver.
The Lead Biologists oversee our three exhibition areas and are responsible for maintaining high
standards and developing not just the displays, but also protocols for improving care and
husbandry techniques. This is a great opportunity for someone with proven aquarium leadership
to showcase their skills in the UK’s largest aquarium.

We are looking for someone who shares our ethos of how an aquarium should be run. A passion for
marine conservation is a must as is the belief that we can make a positive difference through
immersive public engagement. The right candidate will also be a team leader, show respect for
their colleagues and offer support to junior team members and volunteers when needed. In return
you will be given the opportunity to develop and flourish at the UK’s largest aquarium as we
believe in the importance of personal development.

You will be joining one of the most experienced and knowledgeable husbandry teams in the
country which is passionate about leading the way in developing the aquarium industry. Evidence
shows that being exposed to nature helps people want to look after it and therefore we aim to
create exhibits that help people connect to the animals and their habitats by developing
displays that are windows into nature.

The successful candidate will ideally have a minimum of four years’ experience of working in an
aquarium setting. Practical DIY skills, confidence in your own ability and a desire to improve
yourself and the aquarium are all important aspects of this role.

About you:

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in an aquarium setting
• PADI Dive Master (or equivalent) although a qualification of PADI Rescue Diver (or
  equivalent) may be considered for the right candidate.
• Practical DIY skills
• Confident in your own abilities and passionate about the aquarium industry and conservation
• Previous experience supervising a team.

This role is full-time working 37.5 hours per week. Work will be on an annual rota’d basis to
provide 7-day cover, providing the very best exhibit maintenance, animal nutrition and welfare,
diving operation support, record keeping and reporting. Due to the nature of our business all
applicants must be available to work weekends, public and bank holidays and throughout the
school holidays.

Salary: £25, 673 per annum.

For further information and how to apply: Please select the ‘Apply’
button below which will take you to our website.

Closing Date: 5th January 2024. Interviews will take place
week commencing 15th January 2024.

Only candidates invited for interview will be contacted.

In line with current legislation all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
As part of the recruitment process you will be asked to provide documented evidence of
eligibility.

The OCT operates an Equality and Diversity Policy and is committed to promoting a diverse and
inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. All
applications will be judged solely on merit; however we particularly welcome applications from
groups currently under represented in the workforce.