Diving Specialist/Supervisor/Instructor


Company:	University of Plymouth
Salary:	£39,906 to £46,049 a year, pro rata
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	9 Oct 2026
Closing date:	1 Nov 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

Take your diving career deeper.

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.

Apply for this job