The marine station has welcomed hundreds of volunteers since 2015 from all over the world. The program provides future marine scientists with practical and field experience in marine science.
Primary duties will be animal husbandry and general aquarium maintenance and upkeep. There may also be opportunities to assist with research projects, fieldwork, and public outreach activities. Training will be provided as necessary.
Volunteers will ideally be obtaining or recently qualified in a relevant science degree (e.g. marine biology), though exceptions may be made for people with suitable experience. Volunteers should also have a strong interest in marine life, the environment and conservation, and be enthusiastic, responsible, and reliable. Applicants must be aged 18 or over.
We usually take medium term volunteers available for 1-3 months, longer placements will also be accepted. Hours of work are negotiable, but we would ideally like someone who can commit to a minimum of 3 days per week. Hours will be between 9 am-5 pm; however, there may be times when work outside of these hours is required. This can include weekend work where suitable.
Due to the remote location of the facility, access to own personal transport is desirable, but not essential. We also offer self-catering accommodation near the station, subject to availability.
Due to the large numbers of applications we receive, we have a selection process for our volunteer placements. The next deadline (for placements from May to September) is 9am on Monday 20th January 2025.
To apply, download and complete the application below and email the completed form and your CV to hello@marinestation.co.uk.
“I am an undergraduate student at the University of Plymouth. I chose to volunteer at St Abbs to understand the working life in a research station, gain practical experience in research and husbandry of marine animals. During my time at the station I was involved with current projects, undertaking experiments and working alongside the researchers. I learned a huge amount, especially with each day bringing new project ideas, discussions and some lucky days seeing minke whales, diving gannets and dolphins during work.
I will never forget the unforgettable and lucky experience of snorkelling with wild bottlenose dolphins!”
“I’m a French American marine biology student at the university of Glasgow. I was just looking for some experience and stumbled onto this amazing place. I can’t believe how lucky I am to walk through grassy fields down to the sea to the station each morning where I work to take care and learn more about the animals. I love sipping coffee before work and during lunch surrounded by the goofiest most passionate people I have ever met. So in short, I hit the jackpot.”
“I come from Switzerland and Nepal and I study Biology at the University of St Andrews. I volunteered at St Abbs Marine Station to explore marine biology and gain an insight into working in research. Working at the marine station, I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about a fascinating array of species such as catsharks, thornback rays, and lobsters (and their larvae!). My time in St Abbs has definitely confirmed my interest in the ocean, especially being surrounded by such a beautiful part of Scotland’s coastline. Most of all, I love the environment at the station. Everyone has been remarkably friendly and welcoming!”
“I am going into my last year being an undergrad Marine Biology student at Aberdeen University. I applied to volunteer at the marine station because although I have thoroughly enjoyed learning at university, I didn’t know what marine biology was like in a work setting. After volunteering at St Abbs, I have been delighted with choosing the career path I have. The station has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous projects such as testing the effect of Electromagnetic fields on lobsters and seagrass germination, as well as studying the aggressive behaviour of brown crabs. I am delighted with how my experience at St Abbs has been and highly recommend it for other students!”
“I graduated from the University of Exeter in September 2023. During my time, I had the opportunity to complete international fieldwork, but I was keen to gain some UK based experience and St Abbs Marine Station provided the perfect solution! During my time at the Station I have developed a range of skills in the lab and aquarium. One of my highlights has been assisting haemolymph sampling of European lobsters for a project investigating the effects of renewable energy technology on the marine environment. The staff at St Abbs Marine Station have made my experience even better. They have been incredibly supportive and welcoming, allowing us to be directly involved in current projects. They have shared their extensive knowledge and provided valuable guidance and support – I couldn’t recommend St Abbs Marine Station enough!”
“I applied to be a volunteer with St Abbs Marine Station as I wanted to gain additional marine research experience after graduating from the University of Exeter with a BSc Marine Biology last summer. From the very first day of my volunteering placement the St Abbs staff have allowed me to be involved in all aspects of the work they do. I have gained a variety of relevant hands-on experience and learnt skills such as aquarium maintenance, animal welfare checks and laboratory blood sample analysis techniques. I am thoroughly enjoying my time at St Abbs Marine Station and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to gain such valuable experience!”
“When I first arrived at St Abbs Marine Station, I was a freshly graduated Spanish environmental scientist keen on gaining practical experience to boost my career prospects. I am now inspired and determined to pursue a career in marine sciences. This invaluable hands-on experience has helped me understand the day-to-day of marine research work and what it means to work in this exciting discipline, deepening my connection with the marine environment. I have had the chance to participate in many projects, including examining offshore wind technologies’ effects on marine life, a field I am passionate about and want to continue growing in. Above all, it is the people at the station that make this experience so unique, both at a professional and a personal level. I am forever grateful for their welcoming friendliness, breadth of knowledge, willingness to share, and enthusiasm to foster impactful change through their work. “
“I started volunteering at St Abbs Marine Station at the end of May and will be completing around mid August. I chose to volunteer the Station to gain work experience over summer. After the summer I will be starting fourth year of a Marine Science degree, at the Scottish Association of Marine Science (University of the Highlands and Islands). I have enjoyed my time volunteering at the station, I learned a lot and have met many fantastic people.”
“Volunteering at the station over the summer has given me the invaluable chance to develop my practical skills as a marine biologist further, as well being fun and meeting many intersting, great people! For anyone thinking of a career in marine science or if you’re simply just interested, I would highly recommend volunteering at St. Abbs Marine Station.”
“Having spent the summer as a volunteer at St Abbs Marine Station, I feel I’ve gained a huge amount of practical experience in how to look after a variety of marine animals, as well as how to conduct a range of different types of survey work quickly and efficiently. These experiences will stand me in good stead for the future, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be here. Every single person at the station has been absolutely fantastic, and I’d highly recommend to anyone getting involved at the station if possible.”
“I am originally from Slovenia but I have been living in Scotland for a bit over a year. I started volunteering at St Abbs because I would like to work in Marine Biology someday and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to gain experience in a research facility. I am learning something new every day and having great a time, so I want to say thanks to the amazing staff here at the station for having me.”
“I am from The Netherlands. I came to St Abbs in August to do an internship and to get some working experience as a volunteer. At the moment I am in my last year of studying laboratory biology, but I plan on studying marine biology. I chose the marine station as a workplace because I was not quite sure what to expect when people talk about being a marine biologist. This volunteering period has helped me figure out what I really like about biology and what I want to do as a fulltime job after my studies. I highly recommend anyone who is still in doubt to find somewhere to volunteer and experience it themselves.”
“I graduated with my degree in Zoology about a year and a half ago and started volunteering at the station at the end of April. Although I have a full time job in a laboratory, I still come down to St Abbs on the weekends! I am passionate about animals, conservation and the environment and I was drawn to St Abbs Marine station by the amazing work they do. It’s been great to be able to help out with the various fascinating projects being carried out here. It is nice to know I’ve played a part in something that could help protect marine life in future. Everyone I have met over the past months has been so lovely!”
“I am from Spain. I came last summer with an Erasmus grant for an internship in order to gain some skills in the marine biology. It was such a beautiful experience, and I learned so much from it. I couldn’t believe it when the marine station offered me a grant to come back this summer to study the effects of electromagnetic fields on lobsters. It’s always nice to work in such a friendly and international environment, surrounded by other volunteers that are as enthusiastic as you about nature and science. The station and St Abbs are also an amazing place to take photos, which is something I really enjoy. I will be forever grateful and thankful for marine station staff for trusting in me and giving me this amazing opportunity.”
“I am from Arizona. I have been lucky enough to volunteer at the St Abbs Marine Station on two separate occasions. The first time I volunteered was during a summer of my undergraduate degree in Marine Biology at the University of Hawai’i (my picture is of me diving in Oahu). I was intimidated coming from so far away and not knowing anyone in Scotland. The commute in with fellow volunteers from Edinburgh ended up solving that problem quickly and I found myself becoming pretty comfortable here. One of the main things I love about St Abbs is that you have the opportunity to gain a well-rounded experience as a scientist since there are many projects to get involved with, not to mention the amazing scenery. St Abbs helped me discover my passion for marine invertebrates. After completing my MRes Marine Biology course at the University of Plymouth, I returned for my second experience which I found just as rewarding as the first and I would love to keep up a great relationship with the station.”
“After graduating I wanted to gain some practical experience in the marine industry. I volunteered at St Abbs last summer for 4 months, where I was able to get involved in a number of different research projects. I particularly enjoyed working on their lobster larval rearing project and am now looking to undertake further study in the field of aquaculture. Volunteering at the station was an extremely fun and interesting experience thanks to all the other volunteers and members of staff. I have learnt so much and I will always be grateful to have shared this experience with such a fantastic and supportive group of people.”
“I’m 25, from the USA, and I volunteered at St Abbs Marine Station for a couple of months in autumn 2019. I went to St Abbs to gain practical experience in marine research. While volunteering, I was able to be a part of a variety of projects with a wonderful community of marine biologists. There was always something exciting to do at the station every day and plenty of places to explore on the weekend. I will be forever grateful to the staff and other volunteers at the station for providing such a unique and extraordinary experience!”
“I am an undergrad student from Italy. I volunteered at the marine station in St Abbs because it seemed like the ideal place to get an idea of what lab work looks like, and what researchers do on a day to day basis. It’s truly been an eye-opening experience – my favourite part of it was the field trips out at sea, where I got to witness just how rich and diverse (and smelly!) the seafloor actually is. The people I met there were seriously amazing, and it was a pleasure to work and live with them. And on my last day there, I got to see a pod of dolphins cruising just outside the station; I can’t imagine a better farewell.”
“As part of my placement year I’ve spent 4 months in St Abbs Marine Station volunteering as an aquarium technician and research assistant, helping the staff with research projects and gaining valuable skills and knowledge to help my post graduate career. Every day has been different with so much to learn and do from essential aquarium maintenance to fisheries science data collection. I’ve learnt so much from all the staff, fellow volunteers and visitors at St Abbs which has helped my decisions about what to do post graduate and what options are available. I’d highly recommend volunteering here to any marine biology student looking to get some amazing experiences and opportunities in a lively marine research station.”
“Whilst volunteering, I was able to be involved in a range of research projects undertaken at the station, developing both lab and practical field work skills; including aquarium maintenance, crab shore surveys and assisting the investigation of oyster larvae distribution patterns. I have learnt a lot from my time at St Abbs, and thoroughly enjoyed being able to work on such a beautiful coastline. I am very grateful for the experience volunteering at St Abbs, and am thankful to the great team of staff and volunteers of which I worked alongside. Volunteering at St Abbs was extremely rewarding and I would recommend to any aspiring marine biologist!”
“I am from Finland. I volunteered at St Abbs Marine Station last summer during the break from uni as I was keen to gain practical experience in my field of study. During my time at the marine station, I learnt so many new skills from precise lab work to practical field skills. Being able to do this all while working together with amazing, supportive staff and fellow volunteers, was an absolutely amazing experience!”
“I’m from the Netherlands, and have been volunteering at the St Abbs Marine Station as part of my study for a couple of months now. Volunteering at the Marine Station is an amazing experience thanks to all the other volunteers and members of staff. There is always something interesting to do at the Station and time to take beautiful walks on the weekends. I will be forever grateful for this unique experience that I had thanks to the wonderful people at the Marine Station!”