What you\'ll bring to the team
Fancy working with sharks, penguins, bearded dragons or hundreds of species of fish? If you’re a hardworking and experienced Aquarist, that’s interested in conservation and research, then we’d love your application.
You’ll play a vital part in caring for our animals, ensuring consistently high levels of animal health and welfare as well as looking after and carrying out routine maintenance of the filtration and life support systems, crisis management equipment and environmental alarms. Other duties include back washing main filters, water changes, water quality checks, water parameters, health checks, plus training and enrichment.
You’ll prepare suitable diets and feed all livestock, as well as provide medication and treatment of animals under direction. During a typical day you may be crafting enrichment for our majestic Green Sea Turtle - Ernie or be out helping rescue seals from the Norfolk coastline! You will also provide 24-hour alarm cover on a rota basis and maintain strict codes of practice for the use, storage and record keeping of all medications and chemicals according to HSE, COSHH and SSSMZP regulations.
This is a full-time, permanent role, working any 5 days out of 7, including weekends and bank holidays.
Qualifications & Experience
- Experience within public aquariums involving maintenance, plumbing and operation of large life support systems
- Strong demonstrable experience of animal husbandry with freshwater, marine animals, and reptiles
- An understanding of the fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to an aquarium environment
- A keen eye for detail and analytical approach in necessary record keeping in line with SSSMZP
- A practical ability to create ‘wow’ displays with a working knowledge of the correct use of theming, lighting, and water movement
- A qualification in animal care, marine biology or equivalent
Benefits
Grow your career:
With our structured progression plan, you’ll have the opportunity to develop through five levels of Aquarist. Join at the level that matches your skills, with compensation to match. Successful performance can lead you to becoming a Displays Supervisor and with SEA LIFE locations worldwide, the opportunities are endless!
- 40% off LEGO online
- 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants
- Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free tickets to all our attractions worldwide for you, your family, and friends every year
- Enjoy the Ride Pass – giving you and 5 others a Merlin Annual Pass (Gold edition)
- Discounted rates at Merlin hotels all over the world
- Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets
If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at gatewayuk.recruitment@merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pay Range
From GBP £25,991.00/Yr.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aquarist in Hunstanton
✨Explore University Career Fairs
University career fairs are gold mines, especially for biology roles. We should hit up these events, connect with potential employers like SEA LIFE, and get the inside scoop on full-time opportunities. Plus, it's a fab way to showcase our passion for the field!
✨Join Biology Communities
Get involved in local biology associations or online forums—these are great for networking and hearing about job openings before they hit the mainstream. Engaging in meaningful discussions can help us stand out and get noticed by hiring managers in the biology sector.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Plan to attend biology-related conferences or workshops. These events are perfect for making connections, learning about the latest research, and even finding out which companies, like SEA LIFE, are expanding and hiring full-time positions. Don't forget to bring your business cards!
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
When you land that interview, be ready to flaunt your research experience and practical skills. Discuss any lab work, projects, or internships that demonstrate your expertise in biology. We want to make sure the interviewers see exactly why we're a great fit for the role at SEA LIFE.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Lab Skills:In the biology field, it's super important to highlight any relevant lab skills. Make sure to include techniques you’ve mastered, like PCR or chromatography, right in your CV. This helps us see your hands-on experience and how you can contribute at SEA LIFE.
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Passion:When writing your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for biology shine through! Share specific examples of projects or research that fuel your passion. It’s the perfect way to convey your motivation and fit for the role of Aquarist at SEA LIFE.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications related to biology—like Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or even specific software for data analysis—be sure to mention those. They can really set you apart from other applicants and show us you’re dedicated to your professional development.
Highlight Team Projects and Communication Skills:Biology often involves collaboration, so don’t shy away from mentioning any team projects you've worked on in your CV. Emphasise how you communicated findings or contributed in group settings. This gives us insight into how you’d fit into our team at SEA LIFE.
How to prepare for a job interview at SEA LIFE
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Get ready to dive deep into the scientific concepts related to your field! For a biology role, you'll likely face questions about experimental design, data analysis techniques, and possibly even lab protocols. Make sure you're clear on your coursework and any practical experiences you've had.
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
Hands-on experience can make or break an interview in biology. Be prepared to discuss your previous lab work, including techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, or microscopy. Bring a portfolio of your lab reports or relevant projects to really impress the hiring team at SEA LIFE.
✨Communicate Your Passion for Biology
As this is a full-time position, employers at SEA LIFE are looking for someone who is not just qualified, but truly enthusiastic about biology. Be ready to share specific moments or projects that ignited your interest in the field. A personal story can really set you apart!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Don’t underestimate the power of behavioural questions! Expect to discuss situations from your studies or internships where you showed teamwork, problem-solving, or conflict resolution. This is your chance to show that you're not only a great biologist but also a great colleague!
