Aquarium Technician in Sheffield

Overview

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits and join us to become part of something special.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Detailed maintenance of over 3,000 tanks to ensure our facility consistently meets all legal and biological welfare standards.
• Utilising a variety of specialised methods for the manual cleaning of both standard and small-breeding tanks.
• Rigorous upkeep of fish racks, equipment, and communal spaces.
• Managing the collection of consumables from stores and maintaining aquarium stock solutions by preparing fresh mixtures to detailed specifications.
• Delivering detailed nutritional care through regular fish feeding routines.
• Meticulous daily logging of all completed work.
• Carrying out detailed health evaluations to maintain the sustained health of the zebrafish colony.
• Undertaking unplanned tasks, including heavy lifting, to meet the evolving needs of the aquarium environment.
• Upholding the University Code of Conduct.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks with independent time management

Essential

• Interview/ Reference
• Previous experience/knowledge of fish husbandry

Desirable

• Application/ Interview
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures

Essential

• Application/ Test
• Instrumentation skills, including use of microscope

Desirable

• Application/ Interview
• Knowledge of systematic cleaning methods

Essential

• Application/ Interview
• Good communication skills (written and oral) in order to work with other facility users

Essential

• Interview/ Test
• Excellent interpersonal skills to enable effective working relationships within the aquarium staff team

Essential

• Reference/Test

  Essential

  • Reference/Test
  • Ability to show initiative

  Essential

  • Interview/ Reference
  • Ability to work with accuracy

  Essential

  • Application/ Interview

  Further Information

  Grade

  2.2

  Salary

  £23,061 pro rata

  Work arrangement

  Part‑time for 15 hours a week with extra weekend paid work required - Mondays, Wednesdays (for meetings), and Fridays. Additional weekend paid work is available on a rota of 1 weekend in 4.

  Duration

  Permanent

  Line manager

  BSA Facility Manager

  Direct reports

  Senior Technicians

  Right to work in the UK

  Yes

  Our website

  https://sheffield.ac.uk/bateson/model-organisms/information

  For informal enquiries about this job contact Claire Allen, BSA Manager: on bsa-group@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 2222737

  Next steps in the recruitment process

  It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 16th September 2026. This will consist of an interview and tour of the facility. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 21st September 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact bsa-group@sheffield.ac.uk.

  Our vision and strategic plan

  We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.

  What We Offer

  • A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

  More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits.

  We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

  Security check requirement

  An enhanced animal rights check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Agenda website: https://agenda-screening.co.uk/

  Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.

  We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.