Aquarist

The UK’s largest SEA LIFE site has a new opportunity to come and work in this iconic London
location. Sat facing the Houses of Parliament and next to the London Eye, we also work closely
with The London Dungeon and Shrek’s Adventure, as well as the SEA LIFE aquariums across the UK.

We’re looking to recruit a new Aquarist to join our team! We have a wide variety in our
collection of animals to work with from Sharks, Stingrays, Sea Turtles, the longest live coral
reef exhibit in the UK, as well as the largest Jellyfish collection too, a diverse Rainforest
as well as a colony of Gentoo Penguins.

NEW for 2023 - a structured progression plan for our display teams is now in place across the
UK, which means we can now offer a role that will give you the opportunity to develop through
five levels of Aquarist. You can join us between levels 1 and 5 and will be compensated
accordingly, as you progress to the next tier. At our London site successful performance can
lead to you developing into a Senior Aquarist and with so many attractions across the world,
the opportunities are endless.

What we are looking for

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

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.

What’s in it for you

Alongside becoming an expert in washing up, you’ll also receive:

A salary of £25,500 (level 1) to £27,500 (level 5) per annum for the Aquarist role

Call out fee paid, transport to and from site for call outs. Working rota pattern
adjustment post call outs where needed

25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% off LEGO online

Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free tickets to all our attractions worldwide for you,
your family, and friends every year

Discounted rates at Merlin hotels all over the world

Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets

Everyone Matters at Merlin.

At Merlin we welcome the world to our magical attractions and resorts every day and we want to
reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. We strive to create an inclusive
and diverse workplace where people can be themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive
together. Because at Merlin, everyone matters! Together, we work to create a workplace where
everyone feels valued, no matter their age, race, gender, disability or sexual
orientation. Although we understand that we'll always be learning and growing, we aim to be the
most inclusive and flexible employer in our industry.