Working With Us

The MBA is one of the world’s longest running societies dedicated to promoting research into our oceans and the life they support. For over 100 years, we have supported the careers of many Research Fellows, including several Nobel Prize winners and over one hundred Fellows of the Royal Society. With our Royal Charter and a global community of members from over 40 countries worldwide, we have the mandate to provide an authoritative and independent voice for the international marine biological community.

Our vacancies

Current vacancies will be advertised on our website, Member’s Bulletins and social media channels as well as some external advertising sites.

View current vacancies

Discover our current PhD opportunities .

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Committed to equality

The MBA is a welcoming community and we value diversity as it is a strength in a workplace. The most talented people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives enhance all that we do. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage everyone to join us, and be themselves at work. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. 

Join the team

Heritage meets the cutting-edge

The MBA is based in Plymouth on the Hoe in front of the Royal Citadel, overlooking Plymouth Sound and currently employs over 100 members of staff. As a member of staff in the MBA, you would be part of this heritage and cutting-edge independent marine research institute.

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“My favourite part of working at the MBA is being surrounded by like-minded people who want to make a positive contribution to our planet.” 
Phoebe Barrett 
Plankton Analyst
“My favourite part of working at the MBA is getting to see the beautiful aesthetics of our live jellyfish in their special Kreisel tanks whenever I walk into dimly lit CT room at the MBA’s aquarium facility! Being able to witness this mesmerizing sight on a daily basis is definitely a huge highlight of working here.” 
Imran Luqman bin Muhammad Hatta 
PhD Student
“The best part about working at the MBA are the people. Being away from my home and family is difficult but my colleagues encourage, support and celebrate Indian festivals with me. They feel like my family”
Trupti Gaikwad
Cell and Molecular Research Technician
“The MBA has now been a part of my career for the past decade, and I have absolutely loved it. Not just from supporting world-class research, but being a part of a knowledgeable, driven, and friendly workforce makes it a place to work like no other.”
Scott Middleton
IT Infrastructure and Systems Officer
“I enjoy working at the MBA because we have a strong science culture that looks forward with an optimistic spirit of research discovery. Our science culture builds on a long history of excellence – we are fortunate to stand on the shoulders of many giants in marine biology research that have worked at the MBA. The MBA philosophy of nurturing excellent and fundamental marine science is also important to me. Our laboratory is by the sea with easy access to a range of marine ecosystems to study. I am lucky to work in a beautiful location with many inspiring people.“
Dr Michael Cunliffe
Senior Research Fellow
“My favourite part of working at the MBA is the welcoming and kind nature of our workplace. I can honestly say that I have never worked somewhere so friendly and welcoming. It especially showed when I first joined, often it takes some time to settle into a new workplace, but at the MBA it was pretty fast, and after only a couple weeks, I felt very part of the MBA team! I must also mention another one of my favourite parts about working at the MBA… the location! We are so lucky to be a stone-throw’s distance from the sea, which makes outdoor lunch time pretty lush.” 
Ben Whyte 
Research Facilities and Aquarium Engineer
“The MBA is my spiritual home. It is a unique place with fantastic facilities and a range of marine ecosystems on the doorstep, where blue skies and applied research is carried out by a team of word class scientists.”
Nova Mieszkowska
MBA Fellow
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked here for over 25 years, and yes I do mean fortunate, after spotting a small advert for a part-time position in the local paper all those years ago. The location, the team, the opportunities and the world-wide collaborations, it’s a dream job for someone interested in all aspects of marine science.”
David Johns
Head of Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey, Chair NMBAQC

Living and Working in Plymouth

Find out more about why Plymouth is a great place to live, work and play on the Invest Plymouth website here:

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Can we help?

If you have an enquiry about any aspect of the Marine Biological Association, please drop us a line below. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

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The Marine Biological Association
The Laboratory,
Citadel Hill Plymouth,
Devon
PL1 2PB, UK

+44 (0) 1752 426493

info@mba.ac.uk

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The Marine Biological Association conducts, promotes and supports scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea. We're working with our ever-growing membership to provide a clear and independent voice on behalf of the marine biological community

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