Aquarist

Merlin Entertainments; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global entertainment company is seeking an Aquarist for their SEA LIFE Brighton location. The role entails maintaining high standards of animal husbandry and developing creative displays while ensuring the health and safety of aquatic species. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in the aquarium industry and excellent communication skills. This full-time position offers an exciting environment with benefits including discounts and free access to attractions.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus additional volunteering days

25% discount in retail shops and restaurants

40% off LEGO online

Free tickets to all attractions worldwide

Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience within the aquarium industry.
• Expertise in aquatic animal husbandry, coral keeping and life-support systems.
• Maintaining a good level of physical fitness.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and developing display standards and animal husbandry.
• Monitoring health and safety of animals.
• Ensuring cleanliness throughout SEA LIFE.
• Collaborating on animal acquisitions and transportations.
• Delivering guest experiences and sharing knowledge.

Skills

Creative mindset for developing engaging educational exhibits

Effective communication

Customer service abilities

Hands-on experience in aquatic animal husbandry

Education

Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience

PADI Rescue Diver qualification or above (desirable)

Job description

Position: Aquarist

Location: Marine Parade Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1TB

Hours: 40 hours per week, across a 7‑day rota (any 5 days out of 7)

Closing date: 1st January 2026

Contract Type: Permanent full‑time position

Are you ready to splash into action, working with some of the most fascinating aquatic creatures, in the world’s very first public aquarium?

Join us as an Aquarist at SEA LIFE Brighton, where your passion for aquatic life will thrive and drive your career to new depths.

This is a full‑time permanent role with 40 hours per week on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays. The role also requires being on site after hours and working on a call‑out rota.

Responsibilities

As one of our Aquarists, you’ll play a key role in maintaining and developing our displays, ensuring a consistently high standard of presentation and animal husbandry. You’ll support the smooth running of all show areas, ensuring effective maintenance requirements are carried out, including maintenance to individual displays, life‑support systems and designated quarantine areas.

• Monitoring the health and safety of animals with care and attention
• Ensuring a high standard of cleanliness throughout SEA LIFE
• Playing a key role in animal husbandry and life‑support system maintenance
• Developing impressively creative and innovative displays
• Delivering fresh and exciting experiences for guests, sharing knowledge and experiences

You will collaborate on animal acquisitions, support in transportations, and handle quarantines while meeting SEA LIFE’s ethical standards and BIAZA requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

The suited Aquarists will already have some hands‑on experience within the aquarium industry and will have expertise in aquatic animal husbandry, coral keeping and life‑support systems.

• Might be degree qualified or equivalent within a relevant field, or able to confidently present genuine interest, gained knowledge and hands‑on experience
• Might hold a PADI Rescue Diver qualification or above, which is desirable
• Will have a creative mindset for developing engaging educational exhibits
• Be an effective communicator, happy to share knowledge, with great customer‑service abilities and a positive, infectious attitude
• Willing to undertake continued training and development requirements

Our Aquarists can endure quite physical activities throughout a working day/week, so maintaining a good level of physical fitness is advised.

Benefits

• 25 days Holiday (including bank holidays), plus additional days off for volunteering
• 25 % discount in our retail shops and restaurants, and 40 % off LEGO online
• Merlin Magic Pass – giving you free tickets to all 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)
• Employee pricing up to 55 % off cinema tickets

Pay Range

From £27 441 per year.