Senior Aquarist - Aquarium Operations

Atlantis; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance with dental coverage

Annual flights home

Discounted rates at Kerzner properties

Food and beverage privileges

Incentive program

Colleague wellness and social inititi

Job summary

Atlantis Resorts in Dubai is seeking a Senior Aquarist to oversee animal husbandry, nutrition, water quality, and life support systems while leading a team of aquarists. The role combines marine and freshwater care with education and guest experiences.

You will mentor junior staff, maintain records, and ensure high welfare standards. Strong leadership, communication, and technical knowledge are essential to this on-site, UAE-based position.

Qualifications

• 5 years aquarium experience and 1 year supervisory experience
• PADI Open Water certification or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Marine Science or related discipline
• Strong communication and mentoring ability
• Knowledge of Life Support Systems and water quality analysis
• Ability to work independently and with guests

Responsibilities

• Oversee animal husbandry and welfare, including feeding schedules and disease recognition
• Maintain exhibits and life support systems, perform routine maintenance and records
• Monitor water quality and conduct quantitative analyses
• Lead and mentor junior colleagues, foster a collaborative team
• Engage guests through marine education and conservation experiences
• Coordinate with internal departments and external partners
• Ensure safety, biosecurity and animal welfare across operations

Skills

Animal husbandry

Water quality analysis

Team leadership

Observation and monitoring

Quarantine procedures

Life Support Systems

Record keeping

Nutrition planning

Public speaking / guest interaction

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Biology/ Zoology/ Marine Science

PADI Open Water Certification

PADI Divemaster certification desirable

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Aquarist - Aquarium Operations

Job Snapshot

Role: Senior Aquarist

Location: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Veterinary Services

Function: Veterinary-Animal Care

Experience: 5 years of aquarium experience and 1 year or more of supervisory experience

Job Type: Full Time

Salary: Not disclosed

Gender: No Preference

Candidate Nationality: Not specified

Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview

Atlantis Resorts is hiring a Senior Aquarist in Dubai, UAE to oversee animal husbandry and aquarium operations at Atlantis The Royal. The role combines marine and freshwater animal care, nutrition, water quality, life support systems, exhibit maintenance and team leadership with responsibility for delivering marine education, research and conservation experiences to guests and the local community.

About the Role

As a Senior Aquarist, you will help provide healthy and sanitary living conditions, appropriate nutrition and consistent care for marine and freshwater animals. The position also carries delegated leadership responsibilities within aquarium operations. You will oversee feeding schedules, animal observations, exhibit maintenance, water analysis and husbandry activities while mentoring junior colleagues and supporting high standards of animal welfare.

Animal Husbandry and Welfare

• Conduct daily animal observations and identify changes in normal behavior.
• Report abnormalities promptly to appropriate management personnel.
• Participate in animal care decisions and problem-solving activities.
• Oversee feeding schedules and appropriate dietary programs.
• Apply animal husbandry principles with emphasis on colleague, guest and animal safety.
• Maintain disease recognition and fish treatment programs.
• Apply appropriate quarantine procedures and animal health protocols.
• Plan and execute quarantine regimes and treatments.
• Support safe animal transport and handling.
• Maintain accurate water quality analysis and animal care records.
• Oversee consistent live-feed cultures, invertebrate cultures and fish rearing activities.

Aquarium Exhibits and Equipment

• Maintain and oversee aquarium exhibits according to routine and preventive maintenance programs.
• Ensure team members follow established exhibit maintenance standards.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on dive and exhibit equipment.
• Report equipment malfunctions immediately to the appropriate supervisor.
• Identify operational problems and contribute practical solutions within assigned areas.
• Maintain safe and sanitary aquarium environments.

Life Support and Water Quality

A strong understanding of aquarium Life Support Systems is essential. You will monitor system performance, troubleshoot abnormalities and report technical issues while developing practical knowledge that can be applied to future incidents. Water quality programs must be carried out consistently by both you and the team, with appropriate analysis, documentation and corrective follow-up.

Animal Knowledge and Records

• Compile and interpret animal records and departmental logbooks.
• Evaluate information gathered through daily animal observations.
• Maintain knowledge of local and exhibit species.
• Identify animals by common and scientific names.
• Apply knowledge of external fish anatomy.
• Recognize common indicators of disease.
• Understand animal compatibility and behavior.
• Continue developing advanced husbandry knowledge through structured learning, observation and available resources.

Team Leadership and Development

The Senior Aquarist provides direction and practical support to junior colleagues. You will mentor and coach team members, communicate expectations clearly and help ensure husbandry procedures are completed consistently. A professional and collaborative approach is required, including reliability, cooperation and the ability to both provide and receive constructive feedback.

Marine Education and Guest Experience

The position leads and supports marine education, research and conservation learning experiences for guests and the local community. You will also help ensure Marine Animal Adventure interactions are delivered to a high standard. Confidence in guest interaction and public speaking is important, particularly when supporting PR, Marketing and external stakeholders within the marine field.

About You

Candidates should hold PADI Open Water Scuba Certification or an equivalent qualification.

PADI Divemaster certification or above is desirable.

A Bachelor 's Degree, preferably in Biology, Zoology, Marine Science or a related discipline, is preferred.

Alternatively, candidates should possess knowledge and skills equivalent to five years of aquarium experience and education, together with at least one year of supervisory experience.

You should have practical expertise in animal husbandry, quarantine procedures, disease recognition, treatments, animal transport, water quality analysis, record keeping, live-feed cultures and Life Support Systems.

Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft applications, are required.

Clear and professional written and verbal communication is also important, including appropriate email and reporting practices.

Candidates must be capable of working independently and collaboratively, mentoring junior colleagues and interacting confidently with guests.

Networking with international aquarium organizations, vendors, internal departments and different organizational levels is also part of the role.

Operational Flexibility

The position requires flexibility to perform reasonable duties related to animal and guest needs according to departmental requirements, regardless of time, day or operational location.

Working at Atlantis

Working at Atlantis Atlantis offers a competitive tax‑free salary paid in UAE Dirhams, together with food and beverage privileges, discounted rates at Kerzner properties worldwide, comprehensive health insurance with dental coverage, annual flights home, life insurance, an incentive program, and colleague wellness and social initiatives.

About Atlantis The Royal

Atlantis The Royal is part of Kerzner International and is located on Dubai's Palm Island. The resort features 760 rooms, suites and signature penthouses alongside Michelin‑starred and celebrity chef dining, immersive wellness and luxury guest experiences. More than 6,000 colleagues representing 129 nationalities contribute to the wider Atlantis Dubai operation.