Volunteering with our Animal Husbandry Team
The Ocean Conservation Trust runs the National Marine Aquarium, a UK Conservation Aquarium, as its centre of Ocean excellence.
Based in Plymouth, Devon, the National Marine Aquarium has a dedicated and experienced world-class Husbandry team responsible for the day-to-day running and development of our exhibits, as well as the management of all off-display back-of-house areas.
Most internships are about filling a gap in a schedule.
Our internship is about filling a gap in a career.
At the National Marine Aquarium, we believe the next generation of aquatic biologists deserves more than just “experience” – they deserve guidance, technical mastery, and a genuine role within a professional husbandry team.
Our Husbandry Internship programme is an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of this unique and fascinating field while assisting our biologists in caring for the health and wellbeing of over 5,000 marine animals. As a Husbandry Intern, you are not simply observing. Interns are fully integrated into our animal care team, giving them the opportunity to work closely alongside experienced professionals while navigating the complex intersection of mechanical life support systems and biological animal care. Volunteers work directly with the Husbandry team and assist in the day-to-day running and development of all aspects of the department. These positions are designed to introduce and develop core animal care and husbandry skills, while providing invaluable experience of working in a large and dynamic public aquarium. Through this programme, interns contribute to our wider mission of making the National Marine Aquarium the very best in Europe.
Day to day husbandry tasks include but are not limited to:
- Maintenance of display habitats
- Preparation of food for livestock
- Feeding livestock
- Maintenance of plankton cultures
- Maintenance of off-display habitats
- Maintenance of life support systems
- Operant conditioning of individual animals
- Delivery and development of enrichment programmes
- Water chemistry analysis
Applicants must be 18 years or over for all positions.
Please note that unfortunately, the National Marine Aquarium is unable to provide financial assistance for any of our volunteering roles. This role is physically demanding and requires a basic level of fitness.
Role 1: Husbandry Internships – 26th May – 23rd August now open for applications. Deadline: 22nd March.
Husbandry internships allow volunteers to fully immerse themselves within the Husbandry team for a period of three months. Each intern is assigned to a specific area of the aquarium, assisting with the day-to-day care, maintenance, and development of that section.
Working in aquarium husbandry is both rewarding and demanding. While caring for marine animals is a privilege, much of the role involves routine maintenance, cleaning, system management, and meticulous monitoring of animal health and life support systems.
For this reason, we are particularly interested in applicants who are actively developing a career in animal care, aquatic biology, or aquarium husbandry, and who are motivated to gain the practical skills and professional discipline required in this field.
Successful interns approach the internship not simply as a volunteering opportunity, but as a professional step in their career development. Interns are expected to demonstrate reliability, initiative, and the same level of commitment expected in a workplace environment.
This role is approximately 37.5 hours per week and operates on a rota-based shift system, including weekends. A full rota will be provided to successful candidates before the commencement of the internship.
To apply, please email completed Expression of Interest form to nmavolunteers@oceanconservationtrust.org. Please also include a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for this position.
Role 2: Year in Industry – CLOSED
Industrial placement roles are for students whose degree course requires an industrial placement year for a minimum of 40 weeks. The student will gain an overall view of all the husbandry areas and will assist the husbandry team with the development of the aquarium. Students will also be encouraged to design and implement a research project which aligns with the Ocean Conservation Trusts policy and aims. The results for this project can be used for third year dissertations if allowed by the accrediting university. This role is 37.5 hours a week working Monday – Friday and as a does include working bank holidays. Placement students will accrue holiday entitlement. To apply, please complete the Expression of Interest form which can be found below. Please also include a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for this position.
Placements start on the first Monday of September or the third Monday of October, please indicate your preference in the Expression of Interest form.
For students wanting a shorter placement, please look at Role 1. Students who are unable to commit to a minimum of 40 weeks will not be considered. For students who require longer than 40 weeks, this can be discussed at the interview stage.
We reserve the right to close these vacancies prior to the advertised closing date if we receive a sufficient number of applications.
The National Marine Aquarium (NMA) is the UK’s National Aquarium, located in Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth. We are proudly the home of the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the Ocean.
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