Seaweed Farm Manager (D10/26.CA)

Working Pattern: Full Time - 37 hours per week – Monday to Friday

Salary: £32,546 - £36,130 per annum

Closing date: 7 August 2026

The Role

SAMS is a world leading marine science institute engaged in research, teaching and commercial ventures. Seaweed farming is a mature multi‑billion‑dollar industry, with some Asian countries producing tens of millions of tonnes a year. But although seaweed grows prolifically in Scottish waters, seaweed farming in the UK is only in its early stages as an emerging industry. SAMS actively operates an experimental seaweed cultivation site at Port A’Bhuiltin in the Lynn of Lorne off the island of Lismore. The farm is a cornerstone in delivering research and commercial projects investigating macroalgal cultivation and uses of farmed algae, alongside their co‑cultivation with other extractive species such bivalve shellfish.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the day‑to‑day maintenance and development of SAMS seaweed farm site. The jobholder will take the leading role in planning and supporting the at sea elements of SAMS seaweed farm research, including seaweed farm infrastructure maintenance, monitoring of growth, and harvesting of crop. They will work to develop and improve the seaweed farm infrastructure to better support cultivation of seaweed lines and will be responsible for arranging the appropriate licensing and consenting of any activities.

Our Ideal Candidate

As a highly motivated and proactive individual with excellent communication and organisational skills, you will enjoy the challenge of practical at sea work. Strong organisational skills and forward planning are essential, prioritising work activities in accordance with a dynamic and changeable environment. You will have experience at working from small boats to deploy and maintain aquaculture mooring infrastructure (e.g. mussel long lines or similar), with practical hands‑on experience in handling lines and troubleshooting problems in the field. Power Level 2 Certification is desirable, although training will be offered if candidate lacks qualification. Candidates would be ideally educated to BSc level in biology, mechanical engineering, environmental science or related discipline, or have equivalent work experience in a relevant technical role. A proactive approach to health and safety is essential, along with the ability to follow established procedures and contribute to a positive safety culture. You will be able to keep accurate records of monitoring data, and able to develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures, Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work linked to the farms with support from other relevant staff.

Employee Benefits

Our relatively small, caring community is an ideal environment for making friends, forming collaborations, and supporting each other to do the work that we really care about. Oban and surrounding areas provide a fantastic base to live and work, and we offer a wide range of employee benefits, support and inclusive culture, making SAMS a great place to work. Our employees are the heart of our business. Recruiting and retaining the right people is the key to our success. Rewarding our employees is therefore an important component of our employment package and we have a wide range of benefits on offer to staff to support your work and lifestyle. We are proud to provide a wide variety of benefits year‑round, offering options to best support our staff, such as:

• flexible & hybrid working options
• purchase of additional annual leave
• shopping discounts
• Cycle 2 Work scheme
• purchases of technology through salary sacrifice
• Payroll Giving
• Pensions Plus
• access to portals to support health and wellbeing
• a sabbatical scheme
• free car parking with access to electronic charging points
• access to a number of training & development courses

Additionally, SAMS encourages and recognises excellence among staff through various recognition and reward arrangements. We are striving to constantly develop and expand the benefits and offers for our colleagues.

Please note, this position unfortunately does not meet the minimum requirements for sponsorship to work in the UK. You must therefore have the rights in place to work in the UK already. We are a Disability Confident Employer. Where a candidate requires reasonable adjustments as part of the application process, we encourage you to let us know. Where applicants with a disability meet the essential criteria for the job, you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, talent and abilities at interview.

SAMS’ commitment to gender equality has been recognised, as our institute was presented with an Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Bronze Award and is currently working towards Investors in Diversity accreditation. SAMS Group is committed to being an equal and open organisation. Diversity and inclusion are important to us, and we strive to remove any barriers that may prevent people from applying to join us. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, and from all who share our values and can help us to broaden our knowledge and range of ideas.