Aquarist

Merlin Entertainments; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40% off LEGO online

25% discount in our retail shops and餐

Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free|

Enjoy the Ride Pass – Merlin Annual|

Discounted Merlin hotels

Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema

Job summary

SEA LIFE London, located in the heart of London, seeks an Aquarist to care for marine life and maintain life support systems. You will perform health checks, prepare diets, and support training and enrichment while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Progression exists through five levels, with potential to advance to Senior Aquarist; a full-time, permanent role requiring dedication across weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience in public aquariums maintaining large life support systems and related plumbing.
• Strong demonstrable experience with freshwater, marine animals and reptiles.
• Understanding water chemistry fundamentals in aquarium environments.
• Attention to detail and rigorous record keeping per SSSMZP.
• Ability to create engaging displays with appropriate theming, lighting, and water movement.

Responsibilities

• Care for animals and welfare under supervision.
• Maintain life support systems and perform health and water quality checks.
• Prepare and manage diets for marine and other animals.
• Support animal training and enrichment activities.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, COSHH and SSSMZP requirements.
• Provide 24-hour alarm cover on a rota basis.

Skills

Aquarium maintenance

Water chemistry

Animal husbandry

Animal training

Record keeping

Diving qualification

Theming & lighting

Education

Animal care or marine biology qualification

Job description

Dive into an Iconic Opportunity at SEA LIFE London!

Imagine working at the UK’s largest SEA LIFE site, right in the heart of London. Facing the Houses of Parliament and next to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London is home to some of the most incredible marine creatures – and we’re looking for an Aquarist to join our team!

What’s in store?

You’ll work with an awe-inspiring collection, including sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, the UK’s longest live coral reef exhibit, the largest jellyfish collection, a vibrant Rainforest zone, and our playful Gentoo Penguins.

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, and progress to a Senior Aquarist role. With SEA LIFE locations worldwide, the opportunities are endless!

Your Role

You’ll play a key part in animal care and welfare, maintaining life support systems, conducting health and water quality checks, preparing diets, and supporting animal training and enrichment. You’ll also ensure compliance with HSE, COSHH, and SSSMZP regulations and provide 24-hour alarm cover on a rota basis.

Why SEA LIFE?

We believe weird is wonderful, and we’re here to inspire love for the ocean and its creatures.

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
• Skills in animal training and enrichment
• A qualification in animal care, marine biology or equivalent
• A dive qualification is also advantageous

Benefits

• 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 [e-mail] and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Pay Range

Compensation between GBP £28,792.79/Yr.-GBP £30,898.14/Yr.