Junior Aquarist

biosystems-tmc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 16,650 - 20,350; Full time

Job summary

biosystems-tmc in Greater London is seeking a full-time fish-house team member to help with the maintenance of our aquatic systems. This role includes acclimating livestock shipments, maintaining water chemistry, and ensuring the welfare of our fish.

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in aquatics or animal care, a proactive approach, and good communication skills. Flexibility is key as the role requires weekend support and varying hours, including early starts and late finishes.

This position starts at National Minimum Wage with additional pay for shifts and weekends post-probation.

Qualifications

• Interest in aquatics or animal care (marine experience is a bonus).
• Proactive approach to tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure in animal welfare situations.
• Flexibility to work varied hours, including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Acclimating incoming livestock with precision and care.
• Maintaining fish-house systems (sumps, filtration, water chemistry).
• Monitoring fish welfare to high standards.
• Conducting tank cleaning and housekeeping tasks.
• Handling coral fragging when applicable.
• Packing livestock for sales deliveries and customer interactions.
• Following quarantine room protocols for new arrivals.

Skills

Interest in aquatics or animal care

Hands-on proactive approach

Good communication skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Flexibility in work hours

Job description

Responsibilities

• Acclimating incoming livestock shipments — precision and care from the moment they arrive
• Hands‑on maintenance of our fish‑house systems (sumps, filtration, water chemistry — the works)
• Feeding livestock and monitoring fish welfare to our high standards
• Tank cleaning and housekeeping of the fish‑house environment
• Coral fragging — an interest or experience here is a real bonus
• Picking and packing livestock for sales deliveries and calling customers, accurately and on time
• Supporting face‑to‑face customer interactions in the Fish‑House
• Quarantine room protocols: unpacking and acclimating new arrivals safely

What We’re Looking For

• A real interest in aquatics or animal care (marine experience is a bonus, not a requirement)
• Hands‑on, proactive approach — you see something that needs doing and you do it
• Flexibility: livestock doesn’t follow a 9–5, and neither does this role
• Ability to work to deadlines and stay cool under pressure — animal welfare can’t wait
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude and strong attention to detail
• Good communication skills — you’ll be working closely with the team and with customers
• Interest in coral fragging is advantageous

Hours, Salary & Benefits

This is a full‑time role working 42.5 hours per week.

Fish‑house shifts include early starts and late finishes, and weekend support is required on a rolling rota basis.

Salary starts at National Minimum Wage, with additional shift and weekend payments introduced after a successful probationary period.

You’ll be joining a team that genuinely loves what they do, in a growing business with real opportunities to develop your skills in marine husbandry.