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- Tasks: Join our team to maintain and improve seawater life support systems and animal care.
- Company: The Marine Biological Association is dedicated to marine biology research for healthier oceans.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with hands-on experience in a dynamic research environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on marine life while working with passionate professionals in a collaborative setting.
- Qualifications: Technical skills in aquatic systems, strong communication, and a willingness to work flexible hours are essential.
- Other info: Apply by sending your CV and cover letter; interviews start on 14 July 2025.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Contract type
Open ended – Full time (37 hours per week)
Location
The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
About The Role
Do you want to play your part in marine biology research for healthy oceans? Do you want to be at the centre of the effective operation and continual improvement of unique seawater life support systems and state of the art laboratory facilities? Then apply today!
You will be a hands-on pro-active problem solver in order to ensure the critical seawater systems are running smoothly with the highest standards of animal welfare and care. You will be experienced and confident in maintaining aquatic life support systems, providing animal husbandry and experimental system design & development. Your communication and team working will be vital as part of the research aquarium team and wider operational teams that support internal and external users, visitors and volunteers.
Essential experience/skills/qualifications:
• Technical skills and experience of building and maintaining aquatic life support systems including equipment such as pumps, filters and protein skimmers.
• Technical skills and experience for repairing and maintaining mechanical systems.
• Knowledge and experience of health, safety and environmental good practice in an aquarium/research or similar environment.
• Excellent time management and proven ability to manage and organise a responsive and planned workload with competing requirements.
• Willingness and ability to work a rota to cover early mornings, evenings and weekend/bank holidays.
• Physical ability to undertake a range of hands-on activities including manual handling, working with sea water, operating equipment and spending long periods standing.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate others work such as Students or Volunteers.
• IT skills including use of Microsoft packages and ability to learn other systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to communicate across a range of audiences from visitors to Senior Staff.
• Ability to work cooperatively across groups e.g. staff, volunteers and contractors.
• Science and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify solutions.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to undertake tasks accurately, efficiently and with attention to detail.
• Full driving licence.
For the full job description, please visit our website.
For further information on the position, please contact aquarium@mba.ac.uk to arrange a call.
To Apply
Please emailrecruitment@mba.ac.uk quoting reference 0625ARFT. You will need to provide three things to apply:
- Covering letter that outlines your previous and most relevant experience and explains how and why this makes you right for the role.
- CV of education and employment history along with details of two referees (one must be your current employer). References will not be sought in advance.
- Confirmation of your right to live and work in the UK*. Your application will not be considered without this information.
* Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Interviews will take place the week commencing 14 July 2025.
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Aquarium & Research Facilities Technician employer: The Marine Biological Association
Contact Detail:
The Marine Biological Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Aquarium & Research Facilities Technician
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific aquatic life support systems mentioned in the job description. Understanding how pumps, filters, and protein skimmers work will give you an edge during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your problem-solving skills by preparing examples of past experiences where you've successfully maintained or repaired mechanical systems. This will demonstrate your hands-on expertise and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your ability to work in a team by discussing any collaborative projects you've been involved in, especially those related to marine biology or similar environments. This will show that you're a good fit for the research aquarium team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your time management skills and how you've handled competing workloads in the past. Being able to articulate this will reassure the interviewers of your capability to manage the demands of the role effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Aquarium & Research Facilities Technician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Covering Letter: Make sure your covering letter specifically addresses the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your technical skills in maintaining aquatic life support systems and your experience with animal husbandry.
Craft a Comprehensive CV: Your CV should clearly outline your education and employment history, focusing on relevant roles that demonstrate your ability to manage and maintain mechanical systems. Include details of your IT skills and any supervisory experience.
Demonstrate Communication Skills: In both your covering letter and CV, showcase your strong verbal and written communication skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse audiences, from visitors to senior staff.
Confirm Right to Work: Ensure you include confirmation of your right to live and work in the UK as part of your application. This is crucial, as applications without this information will not be considered.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Marine Biological Association
✨Show Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with aquatic life support systems. Highlight specific examples of equipment you've worked with, such as pumps and filters, and any troubleshooting you've done.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of scenarios where you've had to solve problems in a hands-on environment. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you approached the situation, especially in relation to animal welfare.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with teams, volunteers, or visitors in the past, showcasing your ability to adapt your communication style.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your knowledge of health, safety, and environmental practices in an aquarium setting. Brush up on relevant regulations and be ready to discuss how you would implement these in your daily tasks.
