Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
Based on the Isle of Arran, COAST is a multi-award-winning marine conservation charity working to restore the health and diversity of Arran’s inshore waters. Embedded in and driven by our island community, we have 30 years of experience in advocating for marine protection and restoration, we have successfully established the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone (NTZ) (Scotland’s first and only NTZ), led a community proposal for the South Arran Marine Protected Area (MPA) and successfully campaigned for improvements to protection measures within the MPA. COAST also runs a popular Discovery Centre, and operates their own Research Vessel, RV COAST Explorer.
COAST is a small organisation with an enthusiastic staff and volunteer team committed to the full realisation of the environmental, social and economic potential of our MPA and the progressive development of Clyde marine management. RV COAST Explorer is an exciting and important asset for COAST to help us achieve our goals, providing unique opportunities to connect people with our seas and expanding opportunities for marine survey and research. COAST has a long history of involvement with marine research. Most recently we have recent started a programme of citizen science surveys working alongside the community to explore the seabed habitats and marine life in the sea around Arran north of the existing marine protected area.
The Job
This entry level role will provide key support to all of COAST’s research activities, both shore and boat based, including assisting COAST’s skipper in the delivery of research, engagement and diving operations of RV COAST Explorer. You will work closely with staff, local volunteers, researchers and research students to support delivery of COAST’s research work. You will assist the COAST Community Science Officer and MPA Project Officer with delivery of COAST’s research activities including caring for and operating COAST’s research and survey equipment to enable effective collection and management of research data including post-survey data handling.
Public engagement is an integral part of this role, and you will be supporting and helping lead visitor engagement activities, ensuring that participants have a welcoming and positive experience. The role will contribute to COAST’s wider work by supporting provision of research data to inform policy and advocacy and supporting wider engagement activities at the COAST Discovery Centre or elsewhere as required.
This role will require regular periods on board RV COAST Explorer undertaking practical tasks related to research and engagement activities, as well as shore-based field work activities. Alongside this, the role will involve preparation, routine maintenance, post-use after care of research equipment and data management. In addition, you may be asked to assist with:
- Survey, research and event planning/organisation/logistics.
- Operation of the COAST diving air compressor.
- Developing content (written, visual and audio-visual) and uploading to our website and social media channels.
- Survey and research database development and maintenance.
- General administrative tasks supporting boat and research activities.
- Assisting with any other designated tasks to support the COAST team.
The Person
We are looking for a highly motivated and pro-active person with a passion for the marine environment to join our friendly team.
The successful candidate will have a degree or post-graduate qualification in a Marine Science discipline OR have practice work experience and knowledge in a related field. You will have experience of UK intertidal and subtidal marine life and seashore and seabed survey methods. You will have good IT skills, with demonstrable communication and team working skills.
This role requires quite a lot of time to be spent outdoors in the very changeable Scottish weather and will at times involve walking or working in more challenging physical conditions on the shore or on a boat. It will most suit individuals who have a strong interest in the marine environment and practical boat and marine field work activities.
As part of the overall COAST team there will be engagement with a wide range of different people, and the successful candidate will be expected to project a positive and knowledgeable image of COAST and ensure that everyone who engages with the organization and its work feels welcome and is well attended.
Application deadline: 15th February 2026
Real living wage Scotland: £26,228 FTE per annum, pro rata for a 6-month contract
Location: Lamlash, Isle of Arran
