Landers & Moorings Technician

Scottish Association for Marine Science; Oban; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban is seeking a Landers & Moorings Technician to support deployment, operation, and ongoing development of oceanographic lander and mooring systems tied to DORI and OceanSOS projects.

You will join the Marine Robotics and Instrumentation team, assisting with vessel-based operations, maintenance of subsea instrumentation, sensor calibration (oxygen, pH, conductivity) and system design/assembly for field-ready platforms.

Responsibilities

• Owns inspection, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of subsea instrumentation and hardware such as housings, deep-sea cameras, cables and buoyancy systems.
• Calibrates scientific sensors in the field, focusing on oxygen, pH, hydrogen and conductivity measurements to ensure data quality.
• Designs, develops and constructs lander and mooring systems to meet project requirements, including component procurement and integration.

Job description

Landers & Moorings Technician

Company: Scottish Association for Marine Science

Salary: £32,546 to £36,130 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Oban, PA37 1QA

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Temporary

Posting date: 2 Nov 2026

Closing date: 2 Dec 2026

Summary

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the deployment, operation, and ongoing development of oceanographic lander and mooring systems, primarily supporting the Dark Oxygen Research Initiative (DORI) and OceanSOS projects of the Seafloor Ecology and Biogeochemistry research group. They will join the Marine Robotics and Instrumentation team, assisting with vessel-based operations including the deployment and recovery of subsea assets, ensuring systems are operated safely and effectively.

The role will involve inspection, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of a wide range of subsea instrumentation and supporting hardware, such as housings, deep-sea cameras, cables, and buoyancy systems. The candidate will also support the calibration of scientific sensors in the field, with a particular focus on oxygen, pH, hydrogen, and conductivity measurements, helping to ensure high-quality data return from deployments.

A significant element of the role will involve the design, development, and construction of lander and mooring systems to meet specific project requirements. This includes leading on aspects of system design, procurement of components, and integration of instrumentation into robust field-ready platforms. The post-holder will also contribute to the wider operational activities of the team, including routine equipment maintenance, asset management, and logistics planning.

The role requires involvement in project logistics, including organising the shipment of equipment to and from vessel mobilisation ports around the world, and ensuring readiness for deployments. The successful candidate will be expected to proactively apply SAMS Health and Safety procedures at all times, contributing to safe working practices both onshore and offshore.

The post-holder will be expected to engage with internal project meetings relevant to fieldwork planning and delivery, as well as wider marine operations coordination meetings. These are typically held on a regular basis (e.g. weekly operational planning meetings and ad-hoc project-specific meetings as required).

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a practical, proactive, and highly organised individual with experience in oceanographic fieldwork and subsea instrumentation. The ideal candidate will have recent sea going experience, along with a strong technical background and hands-on experience working with marine equipment, particularly in the deployment and recovery of lander or mooring systems.

They will have demonstrable experience in electronic fault finding, repair, and maintenance of subsea hardware, as well as familiarity with sensor calibration, ideally including oxygen and conductivity sensors. Experience in the design and integration of oceanographic systems, including component selection and procurement, would be highly advantageous.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in dynamic and sometimes challenging environments, including offshore deployments around the world. Strong organisational skills and forward planning are essential, particularly in relation to logistics coordination and equipment preparation for field campaigns.

A proactive approach to health and safety is essential, along with the ability to follow established procedures and contribute to a positive safety culture. Excellent communication skills and attention to detail are also key, ensuring effective collaboration across projects and with external partners where required.

Closing date for application is 15th December 2026- Interviews to be held in January 2027.

Please note, we are unfortunately unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position and candidates must have a current Right to Work in the UK in place.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.