Heather McConnell, Aquaculture Technician

What I do

We conduct research into how the marine environment works, why it is changing and how we could use and treat it better. I work in the main aquarium, where we have many experiments taking place at once. My current focus is sea urchins, sea cucumbers, oysters and ragworms, but this changes frequently.

I assist the Aquarium Manager. He does the planning of projects and coordinates with the researchers, and I am the hands-on person getting all the rooms set up, building tanks and checking water and airflow.

Heather in the lab, wearing a lab coat, preparing specimens to look at under a microscope.

Hear more about Heather's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

I studied biology, geography, chemistry and history at A-level before doing a degree in Zoology. I moved to Scotland six months ago for a different role but wanted to try something new. When looking for another role, people recommended I have a look at the work that SAMS do, and that is where I saw my current job advertised. Although I never imagined myself being a technician, I thought I would go for it, and it’s the best thing I have ever done. It is the coolest job!

A typical day in my
working life

When I first arrive, I check on all the animals, ensure they have enough water, their tank temperatures are correct, and they are fed and cleaned - generally monitoring for any changes. As each research project is different, I will have a checklist of specific observations I will have to make per room. Often, this includes checking the water quality to ensure the oxygen levels, temperature, ammonia levels and conductivity are ok. If they are not, I'll calibrate them.

A typical day in my
working life

We currently have oysters that we are trying to spawn, so I monitor whether we have larvae. Once we have larvae in the tank, I will need to move it so we can conduct other experiments, including analysing the effect of light on the development of oyster larvae.

A typical day in my
working life

The husbandry side is much smaller than the technical/construction side of things, and most of my day involves setting up new experiments. This can often include drilling holes or adding pipework and airlines to a tank. There is a lot of problem-solving if things don’t work.

It is so interesting, and you feel that you will never stop learning.

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

It is so varied and diverse. I have a routine, but no two days are the same. I am learning so much because I am working with many different researchers. There is constantly new research beginning, so I meet new people all the time. It is so interesting, and you feel that you will never stop learning.

The next steps in my career journey

I would consider other technician or research jobs. This job has given me many new skills, and I would like to see where those new skills could take me. I could, for example, look at working in an oyster hatchery. I am open to possibilities.