[Hiring] Curator Dubai UAE

Position: Curator

Date Posted: August 31, 2025

Industry: Aquariums / Zoological / Conservation

Employment Type: Full Time

Experience: 5–7+ years (including 2–3+ years in supervisory/curatorial roles)

Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Marine Science, Zoology, Animal Science, or related field (Master’s preferred)

Salary: AED 4000 to 7000

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Company: Emaar

Description:

About the role
Emaar is recruiting an experienced Curator to lead animal care and collection management for its aquariums portfolio. This senior, full-time position oversees multidisciplinary teams (aquarists, trainers) and partners closely with Veterinary, Life Support Systems (LSS), Operations and Education teams to deliver outstanding animal welfare, visitor experience and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and uphold daily standards for animal welfare, husbandry and enrichment for teleosts, elasmobranchs, invertebrates and birds (including penguins).
• Lead collection planning activities — acquisitions, transfers, breeding strategies and long-term species management.
• Oversee exhibit quality, nutrition programs, quarantine procedures, biosecurity and water-quality management in collaboration with LSS.
• Ensure compliance with permitting and regulatory frameworks (e.g., CITES, UAE authorities), internal SOPs and audit requirements.
• Maintain records and data integrity in ZIMS (or equivalent), analyse husbandry data, set KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop staff through coaching, training plans and performance management; build a safety-first, accountable culture.
• Support projects such as new exhibits or renovations, research initiatives, and conservation and education programmes.
• Manage budgets and procurement, monitor vendor performance and control inventory for animal-care operations.
• Lead or support emergency response, incident investigations and risk assessments while championing HSE best practices.
• Represent Emaar professionally with external partners, regulators and media when required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience: 5–7+ years in public aquarium or zoo roles with at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or curatorial position.
• Education: Bachelor’s in a relevant biological or animal-science discipline; Master’s degree is advantageous.
• Technical: Proven success managing complex multi-species exhibits; hands-on experience with live corals is highly desirable.
• Systems & Science: Strong knowledge of life-support systems, water chemistry, quarantine protocols, nutrition and enrichment programs.
• Data & Compliance: Proficiency with ZIMS (or similar), strong documentation practice and evidence-based husbandry.
• Leadership & Ops: Demonstrated ability in team development, scheduling, stakeholder management and cross-department collaboration.
• Commercial: Experience with budgeting, procurement and familiarity with local/international permitting and biosecurity standards.
• Certifications & Physical: SCUBA certification and ability to pass dive medical preferred; must be able to work in physically demanding, cold/wet conditions.
• Availability: Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays as operational needs require.

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