IMARCS Foundation

Work with IMARCS

Full-time marine life support roles at our facility in Osaka, Japan

IMARCS keeps tropical marine life for research and conservation: giant clams, clownfish, carpet anemones and corals. We're hiring people who notice small details, because in a reef system small details become big problems.

Full-time contract · Osaka, Japan

Marine Life Support Specialist

Experience

At least 1 year caring for tropical marine life, as a hobbyist, in a store, or at an institution.

What you'll do

Care for our animals and the life support systems that keep them alive. That means daily tank rounds and logs, water testing, making saltwater, cleaning tanks and equipment, and working through checklists with a photo record of every item.

Pay

  • Starting pay is ¥250,000 per month with 1 year of experience, plus ¥17,500 per month for each additional year, up to ¥400,000 per month to start.
  • After 90 days: a raise of 10% of your starting pay, and a bonus starts accruing at ¥20,000 per month. The bonus is paid out every 12 months on the anniversary of your start date.
  • Every year: a raise of 10% of your starting pay.
  • When you earn the IMARCS University Tropical Marine Life Support Systems certification: a raise of 10% of your starting pay.
  • Pay is capped at ¥500,000 per month. Once you reach the cap, raises stop and your bonus accrual rises 50%, to ¥30,000 per month.
Apply as a Specialist
Full-time contract · Osaka, Japan

Marine Life Support Assistant

Experience

None required. You'll learn the work on the job.

What you'll do

The same work as a Specialist: caring for our animals and their life support systems, learned alongside our team.

Pay

  • Starting pay is ¥200,000 per month.
  • After 90 days: a raise of 10% of your starting pay.
  • After 6 months you're eligible for promotion to Specialist, once you hold the IMARCS certification.
Apply as an Assistant
Full-time contract · Osaka, Japan

Marine Life Support Manager

The role

The head of a facility. The Manager manages the specialists and assistants, their shifts and coverage, and is ultimately responsible for the staff under them. Managers must be available 24/7 during emergencies.

Pay

  • Starting pay is ¥400,000 per month, plus ¥17,500 per month for every year of relevant, demonstrable experience and knowledge.
  • Every year: a raise of 10% of your starting pay.
  • A bonus accrues at ¥30,000 per month and is paid out every 12 months on the anniversary of your start date.
  • If you started as a Specialist, the raises you've already earned carry over on top of the Manager starting pay.
  • Pay is capped at ¥750,000 per month. Once you reach the cap, raises stop and your bonus accrual rises 50%, to ¥45,000 per month.
Apply as a Manager

Your career path

AssistantNo experience needed. Eligible for promotion after 6 months.
SpecialistHold the IMARCS certification to move up from Assistant.
ManagerHead of a facility, responsible for its specialists and assistants.

For every role

  • A full-time contract position with IMARCS Foundation, a US nonprofit, in Osaka, Japan. IMARCS does not pay insurance or tax for contract staff.
  • Working hours and days depend on shift availability. The facility is staffed seven days a week.
  • Commuting costs are paid. Submit an invoice for them each month.
  • The first 90 days are a trial and training period.
  • You must hold a visa, be a resident of Japan, or be a Japanese national.
  • You must speak English or Japanese. If you speak both, your starting pay is 10% higher, and this can take you above the starting and monthly pay caps.
  • Higher salaries, including above the pay caps, may apply for direct, demonstrable experience related to niche research.

Time off

  • You get 10 paid days off a year, covering vacation, personal days and holidays, plus 5 paid sick days. IMARCS doesn't follow the Japanese public holiday calendar.
  • Both start after the 90-day trial and training period, reset each year on your start-date anniversary, and don't roll over.
  • Paid days off need at least one week's notice. Sick days need notice too, but no lead time or doctor's note.
  • Specialists and assistants: a single day off doesn't need coverage, but it can't be used to make a three-day weekend. More than one day off in a row needs someone in the same role to cover your shifts. Without coverage, extended time off can't be taken.
  • Managers: time off is coordinated with the IMARCS head of life support, who oversees the facility while you're away.

Apply to IMARCS

Tell us about yourself and the marine life you've cared for. Your application goes straight to our president.

Languages you speak
Where you got that experience