Research Aquarium Technician

St Abbs Marine Station is a Scottish registered charity, located on the east coast of Scotland, dedicated to marine science, conservation, and education to tackle local, regional, and global marine issues. In collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and partnering institutes our research focuses on monitoring ecosystem health, sustainable management, and conservation. The facility consists of a research aquarium with a floor area of 275 m2 , plus adjoining laboratory, office space, and a detached 100,000 litre mesocosm. The aquarium operates on acontinuous flow-through system via twin intake pipes that provide a 20,000 l/h supply of clean raw seawater.

For more details please see our website www.marinestation.co.uk and brochure https://t.co/SZnZOW8dyk  

Position Details

• Provide support and technical assistance for the St Abbs Marine Station
• Service critical equipment for the supply and distribution of seawater including large amounts of pipework
• Maintain the health and welfare of all animals in the aquarium
• Monitor animal nutrition and manage food ordering, storage, and preparation
• Carry out daily monitoring of water parameters
• Organise and maintain local and regulatory records that support the running of the facility
• Conduct sample collection for long-term monitoring
• Oversee health and safety requirements
• Build and repair experimental setups
• General cleaning and maintenance of the facility
• Assist with research activities, as required, in a laboratory or aquarium setting
• Opportunity to work closely with technical staff and Changing Oceans Research Group at the University of Edinburgh
• Potential for training opportunities including: Home Office animal testing and research licence, first aid, sea survival, diving, etc

Skills and Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant experience (e.g. aquarium, aquaculture or other water related industry with relevant technical or mechanical engineering experience)
• Excellent problem solving
• Good communication
• Able to work effectively within a team, or on an individual basis
• Pro-active and self-motivated

Desirable

• Interest in marine science and the environment
• Animal husbandry and welfare knowledge
• Scientific diving experience, ideally with professional dive qualifications to PADI Dive Master, or equivalent
• Electrical experience

Hours

• Full-time (i.e. 40 hours per week)
• Normal working hours 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, including bank holidays
• On average at least one weekend per month
• Out-of-hours husbandry and alarm response duties, on a rota basis

Contract Type and Salary

• Permanent (subject to initial 6 month probationary period)
• 28 days holiday
• Pension
• £25,000 per annum

Location

• St Abbs Marine Station, The Harbour, St Abbs, Berwickshire, TD14 5PW

Travel

• The station is located in a fairly remote area and so having access to your own car is essential.

How to Apply

Application for the post should be by cover letter and detailed up-to-date curriculum vitae including the names, postal and email addresses of two Referees that we may approach for personal references. The cover letter should summarise your experience and expertise specifically relevant to the post and should include a personal statement giving reasons why you feel you are best suited to the position. In addition, please provide reasons why you wish to work at the St Abbs Marine Station.

Enquiries by email to [email protected]  

Applications by e-mail to [email protected]