Aquaculture Assistant – Animal Husbandry (Wet Lab)

About the role

The Aquaculture Assistant supports daily operations of aquaculture and wet‑lab facilities, performing routine fish husbandry, water‑quality monitoring and research support tasks. The role is hands‑on, physically demanding and essential for maintaining the welfare of aquatic animals and the smooth running of the laboratory.

Key responsibilities

• Perform daily fish husbandry activities, including feeding, tank cleaning, water changes and health monitoring.
• Conduct routine water‑quality tests, record results and report any concerns.
• Prepare live fish for experiments and assist with biological sample collection, weighing and morphometric measurements.
• Support laboratory procedures such as fish dissection, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR setup and bacterial plating.
• Maintain accurate records of fish stocks, husbandry activities and inventory of feed, chemicals and consumables.
• Ensure facility cleanliness, follow biosafety and animal‑welfare protocols, and work independently during assigned shifts.

Required profile

• Physically fit, able to lift loads and work in wet, humid environments for extended periods.
• Reliable, disciplined and able to follow established procedures with strong attention to detail.
• Willing to work one weekend day per month and adhere to safety, biosecurity and animal‑welfare standards.

Required skills

• Animal care and handling (fish husbandry, health monitoring).
• Biosafety and laboratory safety compliance.
• Water‑quality monitoring and data recording.
• Laboratory techniques: DNA extraction, RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, bacterial plating.
• Inventory management of feed, chemicals and consumables.