At the Tennessee Aquarium, water is more than what fills our exhibits — it’s what connects us.
Rivers flow through communities. Oceans shape climate. And people shape the future.
If you’re ready to turn curiosity into impact, consider exploring an Aquarium Fellowship.
Fellowship opportunities at the Tennessee Aquarium offer immersive, career-building experiences and support, with the goal of encouraging greater participation in conservation science careers.
Aquarium Fellows gain meaningful experience in a range of areas:
- Animal Husbandry & Forestry
- Operations & Life Support Systems
- Water Quality
- Education, Guest Engagement & Outreach
- Conservation & Field Ecology
- Research
- Marketing & Communications
Successful candidates can expect hands-on experience, professional mentorship and mission-aligned work in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Spring and Fall Aquarist Fellows
Assist in daily animal care, habitat maintenance, and behavioral enrichment while also learning the science behind aquatic life support.
The Fellowship period is 120 total hours per semester and includes an hourly salary and parking. Housing assistance is not provided for Spring and Fall Fellowships.
Jim Hill Summer Fellows
There are several areas of focus for Jim Hill Summer Fellowships:
- Freshwater conservation, biology or water quality-related positions in husbandry
- Guest engagement through informal education programming and outreach
- Storytelling through marketing, communications, and content creation
- Systems management that provides critical support for the Aquarium’s living collections and guest comfort and safety
The Fellowship period is 9 weeks and includes an hourly wage of $16.00 and university housing.
George Benz Summer Fellows
George Benz Fellows work with Conservation Institute science staff to develop and conduct independent research projects and support other ongoing projects, including community ecology, conservation genetics, as well as assist with fieldwork and lab analyses.
The Fellowship period is 9 weeks and includes an hourly wage of $16.00 and university housing.
Fellowship Requirements:
All Fellowship applicants must have graduated from high school and be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program (or have graduated in the previous semester).