Use your professional diving expertise to train the next generation of scientific divers and support marine research at the University of Plymouth.

About the role

The School of Biological and Marine Sciences is looking to appoint a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Scientific Specialist / Diving Supervisor / Instructor to support HSE SCUBA diving operations at the University Marine Station, Coxside, Plymouth. This role presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic individual with proven expertise to join a key growth area in the University supporting research and teaching in subject areas including Marine Science, Marine Biology and Environmental Science and supporting the University HSE SCUBA diving operations.

The University is unique in delivering HSE SCUBA training to 56 students a year, a degree module in Scientific Diving, professional diving support for student and academic research projects and the MRes Scientific Diving programme. Moving forward the diving program will support an increasing amount of diving supported research.

Health and Safety is considered of the utmost importance and you will be expected to contribute to the management of risk through the use of Standard Operating Procedures, and Risk Assessments. In-house training will be provided to ensure compliance with the HSE’s Diving at Work Regulations as well as other relevant legislation.

Key Responsibilities:

Train & Assess – Deliver high-quality HSE SCUBA training, instruction and assessment, supporting students to develop the skills and confidence required for professional and scientific diving.
Supervise & Safeguard – Supervise academic and scientific diving operations, ensuring activities are planned and delivered safely and in accordance with the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and University requirements.
Enable Marine Science & Research – Support undergraduate, postgraduate and research diving activities, helping students and researchers undertake practical fieldwork safely and effectively.
Develop the Diving Provision – Work with the Scientific Diving Manager and colleagues to continually improve training programmes and deliver an effective, flexible and progressive academic diving service.

This is a permanent position, working 37 hours a week (0.58 FTE – approximately 26 weeks/year), working primarily over the peak summer training period May – end September and the February HSE SCUBA for our MRes Scientific Diving programme.

Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate working from home.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Charles Sandercock, Scientific Diving Manager by email at charles.sandercock@plymouth.ac.uk or by telephone +44 1752 584673 or Dr Keiron Fraser, Academic Lead Marine Station, by email at keiron.fraser@plymouth.ac.uk or by telephone +44 1752 584589.

We’re currently unable to sponsor this role under the Skilled Worker visa route. However, we welcome applicants who already have the right to work in the UK.

What we’re looking for

A current full driving licence is essential (manual transmission) as you will be driving University of Plymouth vehicles including 9+ seater vehicles. This role is also subject to completion of a medical assessment with our Occupational Health team.

You will:

Require an HSE SCUBA qualification as a minimum, together with significant post qualification commercial diving experience on SCUBA and ideally have significant experience of supervising commercial diving operations.
Hold a recreational Dive Instructor qualification or be actively working towards gaining one.
Be expected to assist with dive team administration and on-site diving support as required.
Be required to hold an in-date, valid HSE diving medical.
Be proactive in your approach to improving and developing yourself and the service you provide, showing personal initiative and good judgement when faced with complex problems.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

About us

You will join a well-qualified, skilled and experienced dive team led by the Scientific Diving Manager, where personal attributes of self-determination, initiative and integrity are valued alongside technical ability. The dive team works together with technical and boating staff at the Marine Station, supporting the school’s activities. Seamless cross team working is expected so working effectively within a team while understanding the wider school objectives is important.

The School of Biological and Marine Sciences holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education.

For more information on School of Biological and Marine Sciences please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Our Offer

We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:

Generous pension scheme
Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Development opportunities
Enhanced family leave
Retailer discounts
On-site nursery

Additional Information

The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages