British Antarctic Survey BAS reference: BAS 26/14 Contract type: Antarctic Employment Pool - Fixed-Term Appointment - approximately 24 months, with up to 18 months in Antarctica, commencing in May/June 2026 Location: Antarctica Salary band: AEP B1A £31,183 per annum (pro rata) Closing date: 15th February 2026, 23:55 Interview date: w/c 1st stage zoom interview, 26th or 27th March. 2nd Stage in-person interview, 9th or 10th April. Background/Overview: The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) offers the opportunity for a suitably qualified person to overwinter in Antarctica at Rothera (68°S, 68 °W) station. This is electronics with a difference. As part of a small, highly motivated team, you will be spending a whole year in the Antarctic, life here is like nowhere else, so you must be ready to take on all the challenges and opportunities it offers. With the unparalleled beauty of the Antarctic, you will find this a profitable experience in more ways than one. The primary role of the successful candidate will be to maintain and operate a suite of scientific instruments studying the atmosphere and geospace. You will also support the HF/VHF radio and Satellite communications systems. We do not expect the successful candidate to have experience in all technical aspects, but a willingness to learn and develop new skills is important. The successful candidate will work in a small team that maintains, operates and makes minor developments to hardware and software for scientific experiments. You will have proven ability in electronics and computing hardware coupled with self-reliance and strong motivation. You must be adaptable and willing to take on various tasks as they arise, including a considerable amount of outdoor maintenance and general base work. You'll be joining our Engineering and Technology team in Cambridge, with a period of training lasting approximately 6 months before deploying to Rothera Research Station, living and working in Antarctica for the duration of the contract. To operate and maintain a suite of scientific experiments in the Antarctic and support the HF radio and Satellite communications systems. Duties & Responsibilities: • To install, check, operate, maintain and repair a suite of scientific experiments and communications equipment in the Antarctic. • To organise and carry out the work in a safe and professional manner. • To keep line management aware of progress and report any major problems as and when they arise. • To compile monthly and annual reports of the work undertaken. • To request replacement parts to meet the yearly shipping deadlines. • To keep the facilities in a professional and orderly condition. • To work with other staff to ensure the station's operational and safety standards are maintained. • To assist other members of the science team in their duties, this will include taking part in a rota to undertake meteorological and other observations outside of normal working hours. • To lead technical fieldwork activities away from the research station. • Support the HF/VHF radio and Satellite communications systems. • To train other team members in the use of communications equipment such as Iridium, Starlink and VHF radio. • To document procedures and to develop technical drawings when needed. • To undertake general duties as required by the station leader. Duration: The appointment will be for approximately 24 months, with up to 18 months in Antarctica, commencing in May/June 2026. The successful candidates will assist in preparing the equipment needed for the next Antarctic season and will undertake appropriate specialist training in Cambridge prior to travelling to Antarctica in autumn 2026 and returning in spring 2028. Skills, Qualifications, and Experience Essential: • Relevant HNC or higher • Broad electronic experience • Maintenance of electronic systems • Fault finding to a component level • Simple mechanical workshop activities • Good PC and computer literacy required • Proficient in written and spoken English Language • Competent at briefing others on duties • Demonstrate ability to problem solve on a wide range of issues and to think clearly under pressure • Must be adaptable to changing requirements • You will need to pass a medical test to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions. Desirable: • Recognised electrical engineering qualification/certification • Instrumentation, RF experience • Gas Handling • Atmospheric chemistry instruments • Familiar with Linux terminal commands including remote access and file transfer protocols • Some programming experience using C, Python or any widely used programming language • Experience of managing a small team • Able to complete cargo documentation • Able to complete stores indent paperwork and write station reports The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. About Us UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. About the Team British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Our skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through our extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of theNatural Environment Research Council (NERC).NERCis part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as keep the keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe! If you are looking for an opportunity to work with amazing people in one of the most unique places in the world, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.British Antarctic Survey | Fixed-Term Appointment | Antarctica | £31,183 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date 15th February 2026