Coralku is a Malaysia-based coral restoration organisation combining scientific research, fieldwork and practical innovation to restore degraded reefs and improve restoration outcomes in a changing climate. Our work spans coral nursery propagation, reef restoration, coral bleaching and thermal-tolerance research, and coral spawning.
We work at the intersection of science and conservation, testing restoration approaches in the field and using monitoring and research findings to inform future efforts. Working alongside local and international partners, our team contributes to one of Malaysia’s largest coral restoration initiatives while advancing knowledge of how to restore reefs under increasing environmental stress.
We are looking for practical, motivated individuals who want to contribute directly to coral reef conservation, restoration and research. Whether you bring experience in coral restoration or a related field, or are a capable diver keen to develop your skills in marine conservation, working with Coralku offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across field operations, coral husbandry, ecological monitoring and applied research.
About the Role
The Coral Restoration & Education Officer will report directly to the Site Manager, who will be coordinating all activities and duties. This hands-on role combines coral restoration, scientific research, and conservation education, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to reef restoration. This position requires extensive SCUBA diving combined with office work.
Requirements
Research tasks:
Conduct ex situ experiments (supporting role).
Underwater data collection (monitoring of reef sites, coral nurseries and out-planted corals, monitoring of coral bleaching, etc.).
Data entry and management.
Coral restoration tasks:
Maintain & monitor coral nurseries.
Out-plant corals from our nurseries.
Collect photographic material of out-planted corals.
Coral predator removal.
Guest activities & related tasks:
These tasks are the primary responsibilities of the Coral Restoration & Education Officer and include:
Conduct coral planting activities and conservation talks for guests at Summer Bay Resort.
Explore creative approaches to public engagement and support fundraising initiatives, including merchandise sales on-site.
Support our coral adoption programme operations.
Event management of CSR projects, school trips and awareness campaigns (supporting role).
Co-manage the coral adoption database (e.g., collect update photographs, database updates, etc).
Co-manage the Coral Centre (e.g., maintain the area, greet visitors, pland and conduct activities).
Various small administrative tasks (e.g., equipment maintenance, stock accounting, etc.).
Required Skills
Please DO NOT APPLY if you do not meet the minimum requirements for this job. Many of the responsibilities and tasks that you will perform are very specific, as our research methodology and standard restoration practices are well established. This means that we understand that we will have to train you on our in-house operation, basically from Zero to Hero. Hence, we are looking for an ambitious team player who is ready to learn on the job and apply the skills right away, but if you do not meet the requirements below, we are not able to offer you this position.
Practical and demonstrated working experience, specifically underwater fieldwork experience. We are ideally looking for someone who has at least 1 year hands-on working experience, or someone who has conducted extensive research fieldwork as part of professional internships and undergraduate research work.
Mandarin speaker. Must be able to communicate in Mandarin for guest engagement and conservation outreach.
Open Water Diving License with at least 50 logged dives. If you do not have the minimum number of dives, but you consider yourself a skillful diver with great buoyancy, please still apply. We are looking for someone who can dive safely in a shallow coral reef area (up to 18 meters), and someone who understands the Xs and Os of SCUBA diving. We can teach you the rest, but if you are expecting to learn diving on the job, then this is not for you.
Excellent written and oral English language skills.
Excellent command of MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Physically fit (i.e., able to carry and lift 20kg)
Strong open water swimmer.
Strong communications skills.
A 'team first' attitude.
Malaysian citizens only (or a permanent residence / visa).
Highly desired skills
These are the skills that will make you the perfect candidate for this position. You do not have to have these skills, but any of these skills is a big bonus:
Ideally a university level background in Marine Science, Ecology, Biology or related discipline.
Strong command of R Studio.
An intermediate knowledge of underwater photography & editing.
Previous experience in conducting coral reef surveys, coral restoration tasks, and other scientific underwater work.
Coral identification skills (up to genus level).
Reef fish identification skills (up to family level).
Avid social media user who can contribute to our social media pages.
Do not apply:
If you are not willing to live on an island for 8-9 months of the year.
If you are not fit for extensive fieldwork. Some days will be long and physically demanding (e.g., four 90-minute dives a day in possibly rough conditions, followed by data entry).
If being underwater is not really your thing.
If you are not interested in working in a 'team first' environment.
If science does not excite you.
Terms & benefits:
Fixed term contract with a full-time salary and inclusive of EPF, SOCSO, and diving insurance.
While on the project site, shared accommodation (2 PAX / room) and 3 meals a day are provided.
5-7 days off / month with the (desired) option to leave the project site to go home or somewhere else. Monthly travel between project site and home residence will be covered.
Anticipated start date is the 1st of March 2027 with a 3 months probation period.
How to apply
Please send us your full CV to info@coralku.org, and state at least 2 referees that we are allowed to contact for feedback (ideally from 2 separate institutions / organizations). In addition, tell us about one personal experience that has shaped your interest in marine conservation, and how it relates to the role you’re applying for. No cover letter needed. We would like to hear your story and ambition in your own words.
Applications open until the positions are filled. Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to interviews starting in November 2026.