Station Support Assistant British Antarctic Survey BAS 26/18 Contract type: Antarctic Employment Pool - Fixed-Term Appointment - up to 9 months, comprising UK pre-deployment training (Sep - Oct 2026) and Antarctic deployment (Oct 2026 - May 2027) Location: Rothera, Antarctica Salary: AEP B1A, £30,224 per annum (pro rata) Closing date: 29.03.2026 Interview date: 22.05.2026 Background/Overview: The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is seeking to appoint a Station Support Assistant (SSA) at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer season to undertake domestic support duties. SSAs form a component of the operational support teams, under the purview of the Catering and Accommodation Manager, which are critical to maintaining an efficient and functioning station. Antarctica is the coldest and most isolated continent in the world, providing a unique and spectacular experience. Candidates must be comfortable living and working in a remote yet densely populated environment. Tasks are broad ranging, including catering duties, cleaning, waste handling and laundry, and require the individual to operate with minimal supervision as part of a small team. The duties undertaken by SSAs are key to maintaining the cleanliness and readiness of shared and public domestic facilities, ensuring availability of these areas to station personnel. SSAs must work closely with chefs and station general assistants in delivering their responsibilities, which requires seamless collaboration between teams. Other routine tasks during the tour may involve participating in station emergency response teams, flying on small aircraft to field locations or sailing through the pack ice on a polar class ship. This position is suitable for those seeking a challenging role in support of polar science, with opportunities to appreciate stunning coastal scenery and the wildlife inhabiting this amazing continent. Purpose: To provide domestic and catering support to ensure a high standard of accommodation for BAS staff members, visitors and construction partners on station. Duties: • Clean all public areas, toilets, showers, corridors and food stores daily. • Re-supply facilities with toilet paper, toothpaste, soap and shampoo. • Re-supply the mess areas with tea, coffee, milk etc. • For mealtimes and tea breaks set tables, operate the dishwasher and clear tables. • Assist the chefs in re-supplying the kitchen stores. • Assist the chefs with food preparation. • Handle all kitchen and domestic waste from public areas. Bale or shred as required (involves the use of simple industrial machinery). • Wash-up after mealtimes and assist the chefs with kitchen pots. • Bedroom changeovers between incoming and outgoing staff. • Launder bed linen, towels and tea towels. Launder clothes and work wear for the catering team. • Oversee tag-board and signing-out book. Inform station management about personnel who have not returned by their due time. • Provide general assistance during cargo operations. • Conduct overnight checks on key pieces of scientific and station infrastructure. • Any other duties as required by station management. The SSA team works a rolling rota to provide cover for early mornings, late nights and night shifts. All SSA shifts are "dry", meaning no alcohol may be consumed; this will sometimes be at times when others are enjoying this privilege. Head SSA opportunity We will appoint a Head SSA from the pool of candidates for the SSA role. They will be responsible for the team of SSAs. To be considered for this additional responsibility, candidates must provide evidence of supervisory experience. This will be discussed further at interview. Head SSA responsibilities also include: 1) Perform team supervision while reporting to the Catering Manager. 2) Conduct supervisor appraisals of peers for Station Leader. 3) Chair team meetings and provide feedback to line manager. 4) Training and quality assurance of other SSAs, e.g. cleaning and resupply. 5) Manage rotas for cleaning (buildings, areas, laundry and kitchen), resupply and all shifts. 6) Maintenance of documentation (SSA handbook, early/late duties SOPs, etc). 7) Organise and collate stock takes of cleaning products, domestic supplies and toiletries, and submit resupply indents. 8) Lead on kitchen liaison. 9) Produce end-of-season station report with recommendations. The head SSA is liable to receive a supervisory and responsibility allowance (SRA) for the duration of the appointment. Skills, Qualifications and Experience Essential • In the last 12 months, held a professional cleaning role in the hospitality industry for at least 6 months • Able to manage routine tasks within set timescales • Knowledge of COSHH regulations • Good physical resilience, stamina and mobility including ability to reach, kneel and bend • Ability to lift, push and pull required loads • Basic MS Word and Excel for report-writing and inventory purposes • Able to self-manage and motivate to achieve deliverables • Competent at managing shared amenities when time for closure/cleaning, i.e. vacating area of personnel • Able to manage stock and inventories • Proficient in written and spoken English language • Competent at briefing others on duties • Able to prioritise tasks and act on own initiative • Able to make considered judgement calls for escalating incidents • Able to calculate requirements for re-supplying stock • Able to work harmoniously within a close-knit team • Must be adaptable to changing requirements • You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions. Desirable: • Food safety level 2 • BICSc accredited (or equivalent training) • Experience in a professional catering environment • Experience of using domestic machinery • Waste management experience • Experience of living and working in remote environments • Experience in a hotel or residential care facility • Experience of training other staff • 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 - 9 months | Antarctica | £30,224 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date: 29 March 2026