Experienced Summer Chef British Antarctic Survey BAS 26/19 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: Antarctica Salary: AEP B1A, £30,224 per annum (pro rata) Closing date: 29th March 2026 Interview date: W/C 18th May 2026 Background/Overview: The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is seeking to appoint an experienced chef at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula to provide a high-standard, professional catering service for the station across both summer and winter seasons. Chefs form a component of the operational support teams, under the purview of the Catering Manager in summer, which are critical to maintaining an efficient and functioning station. The incoming winter chef deploys during their first summer season with other summer chefs, continuing through the winter solo before completing their tour during their final summer season as the outgoing winter chef. Antarctica is the coldest and most isolated continent in the world, providing a unique and spectacular experience. In summer, candidates must be comfortable living and working in a remote, yet densely populated environment, and must be able to produce a wide and interesting variety of dishes to sustain a constantly fluctuating population. Conversely, they must cater for a reduced and fixed population during winter months. Food deliveries occur annually by ship so catering must meet the expectations and dietary requirements of the science, operations, construction and support staff living on station using the finite ingredients available for up to 18 months. Unlike a standard restaurant or hotel job, life on a remote research station is broader than primary employment. Chefs participate in all aspects of station life, such as first aid, cargo handling and field skills training. The winter chef also deploys on field trips away from Rothera. Other routine tasks during the tour may involve riding snowmobiles, flying on small aircraft to field locations or sailing through pack ice on a polar class ship. For the experienced chef with a positive attitude and a passion for delivering fantastic food, this role offers a different and truly unforgettable opportunity. Purpose: To provide a high standard of professional catering service, including varied, balanced and nutritious meals that meet the dietary and medical requirements of personnel on station. Working a shift pattern, sometimes including nights, the incumbent will provide up to three main meals a day for up to approximately 150 people (summer season) as well as snacks, bread and other baked goods for work breaks. Duties: • Catering: provide meals and snacks (with vegan and vegetarian options) for station staff and visitors, including special preparations for those with allergies or intolerances. • Stock control: manage food, equipment and stock rotation. In summer seasons, active involvement with head chef and Station Logistics Manager for indenting of replenishments. • Food safety: maintain high standards of personal and kitchen hygiene; maintain food safety records; comply with food allergy controls. • Cleaning: maintain cleanliness of kitchen and all food storage areas. • Training: induct station staff into basic food safety and kitchen safe working practices. • Incident response: provide Medical Assistant capability to the doctor as required (only if jobholder is comfortable with the training content and role). • Any other duties as required by station management. Skills Specification Qualifications Essential: • NVQ 3 or 4 or equivalent experience • Nationally recognised qualification in Food Safety level 3 (must be current) • Extensive experience of cooking for a range of differing clients, including those with specific dietary requirements • Experience in producing a range of quality menus for up to 150 people • Basic numerical ability to maintain stock control • Demonstratable computer literacy including the use of Microsoft Word and Excel • At least 3 years' experience in kitchen management • Ability to teach cookery to people with a variety of background, skills and experience • Proficient in written and spoken English language • Ability to clearly communicate with management & "customers" • Ability to produce comprehensive written reports when required to do so • Ability to work unsupervised, under pressure and with limited time and resources • Must be adaptable to changing requirements • Ability to work on their own but be able to take direction from management and share duties with other chefs • You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions. Desirable: • Experience of catering for outside events • Living and working in a remote environment • Experienced with computerised stock control • Use of MAXIMO (for re-ordering and incident reporting) 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 |Summer Chef |Fixed-Term Appointment - 9 months | Antarctica | £30,224 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date: 29 March 2026