Aquarist

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40% off LEGO online

25% discount in our retail shops and '

Merlin Magic Pass - free tickets for 1

Enjoy the Ride Pass – Merlin Annual 4

x2 volunteer days per year

Discounted Merlin hotel rates

Cinema ticket discounts

Job summary

SEA LIFE London Aquarium is seeking a dedicated aquarist to care for diverse marine life and maintain essential life-support systems. The role includes feeding, health checks, and routine maintenance, with duties rotating across a 5-on-2-off schedule, including weekends and bank holidays.

Candidates should have aquarium experience, animal husbandry skills, and a good grasp of water chemistry. A relevant degree is desirable. Closing date is 9 September 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience within public aquariums involving maintenance, plumbing and operation of large life support systems.
• Strong demonstrable experience of animal husbandry.
• Understanding of water chemistry as applied to aquarium environments.
• A good grasp of theming, lighting and water movement systems.
• A degree level qualification in animal care, marine biology or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Caring for animals and ensuring high levels of health and welfare.
• Maintain filtration and life-support systems and related equipment.
• Provide medications and treatments under supervision.
• Prepare suitable diets and feed all livestock.
• Be on 24-hour alarm rota and ensure safe storage of medicines.

Skills

Public aquarium experience

Animal husbandry

Water chemistry fundamentals

Life support systems familiarity

Education

Degree in animal care or marine biology (desirable)

Job description

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

South East Closing date for applications is: 9th Sep 2026

Contact: James Wright ([e-mail]) Sector: Animal Care Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £28,063.15 Level 1 to £30,110.00 Level 5

We have a vacancy coming up here at SEA LIFE London Aquarium one of the most diverse standalone aquariums in the U.K.

We have a structured progression plan for our display teams in place across the UK, which means we can now offer a role between levels 1 and 5 and will be compensated accordingly. Successful performance can lead to you becoming a Senior Aquarist and with so many sites across the world, the opportunities are endless.

You’ll play a vital part in caring for our animals, ensuring consistently high levels of animal health and welfare as well as looking after and carrying out routine maintenance of the filtration and life support systems, crisis management equipment and environmental alarms. Other duties include back washing main filters, water changes, water quality checks, water parameters, health checks, plus training and enrichment.

You’ll prepare suitable diets and feed all livestock, as well as provide medication and treatment of animals under direction. You will also provide 24-hour alarm cover on a rota basis and maintain strict codes of practice for the use, storage and record keeping of all medications and chemicals according to HSE, COSHH and SSSMZP regulations.

This is a full-time, permanent role, working any 5 days out of 7. This will include weekends and bank holidays on a roster basis.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience within public aquariums involving maintenance, plumbing and operation of large life support systems
• Strong demonstrable experience of animal husbandry
• An understanding of the fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to an aquarium environment
• Solid understanding of the accurate use of theming, lighting, and water movement
• A degree level qualification in animal care, marine biology or equivalent (desirable)

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)
• x2 volunteer days per year
• Discounted rates at Merlin hotels all over the world
• Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets