British Antarctic Survey BAS reference: BAS 26/01 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Summer contracts up to 6 months and Wintering contracts up to 22 months Location: Rothera Research Station, Halley Research Station or Traverse Salary band: AEP B1A £30,224 - £31,183 per annum (pro rata) Closing date: 22nd February 2026, 23:55 Interview date: w/c 16th March 2026 Purpose The objective of this role is to provide BAS with world class professional service in the operation and maintenance of machines as requested by station line management under direction of mobile plant mechanic. You will need to promote and present a professional image and offer machine capability solutions to other departments and frequently liaise with Vehicles Management team. You will drive and operate several types of construction plant and associated equipment at either Halley or Rothera station. You will be expected to be technically competent at performing minor mechanical servicing and assisting the Agricultural Plant Mechanics with their routine daily maintenance tasks. There is a strong emphasis on a flexible approach to your daily tasks, working within the appropriate health & safety guidelines, and liaising closely with the mobile plant mechanics for availability of machines on a day-to-day basis. Halley station is the most southerly and built on a floating ice shelf. Vehicles operated here include: • 2 x Caterpillar D6N LPG bulldozers • 2 x Nodwell all-terrain tracked carrier fitted with 24ton/mt Palfinger lorry loader type cranes. • 4 x PistenBully snow groomers. • 1 x Genie Z60/34 tracked access platform. • 1 x JCB JS180 360 excavator. • 2 x Sennebogen 643 tracked crawler cranes. • 20 x Snowmobiles Rothera station is located on the Antarctic Peninsula. Vehicles operated here include: • 1 x JCB JS130 360 excavator. • 2 x Volvo L180H wheeled loader. • 1 x PistenBully snow groomer. • 2 x Overaasen snow blower attachments for wheeled loaders. • 1 x Nodwell all-terrain tracked carrier fitted with 24ton/mt Palfinger lorry loader type cranes. • 2 x JCB 535-95 Telehandler. • 1 x Cat D4H/LGP bulldozer. • 2 x MF 4370 tractors. • 1 x MF 362 tractor. • 50 x Snowmobiles Duties • Operation of mobile plant including articulated loading shovels, forklift trucks, tele-handlers, bulldozers, excavators and agricultural type vehicles to load/unload materials, stockpile materials • Operate mobile plant for snow clearance and general station snow management • Keep garage and workshops in a safe and tidy condition • Help maintain detailed spare parts inventory • Work with and follow the lead of the plant mechanic • Build strong and positive relationships with all departments • Feedback any important information to Vehicles management • To promote BAS in a professional manner • Continually look to develop yourself through courses and other media when available • Maintain and improve vehicles section profile • Carry out all work practices in line with company health and safety policy • Contribute to overall success of operations through teamwork and good communication within BAS • Assist with other station duties as directed by line management In addition to the duties of operating vehicles, you may be called upon to utilise your skills for other shared duties on the station including kitchen assistance, housekeeping duties, Sunday cook and night fire watch etc. These are allocated on a rota basis and are shared by all station members. Other responsibilities will include: • The reporting of major problems to the Head of Vehicles Engineering at Cambridge and the Vehicles Engineering Manager on site • The care, use, and re-ordering of the maintenance materials and spare parts • The upkeep of the workshop and tools • Simple monthly and annual reports of machinery hours run, and work completed • Working with other staff to ensure the operational and safety standards of the station are maintained • Undertaking general duties as required by the Vehicles Engineering Manager and Station Leader This will be a challenging and demanding opportunity in an extreme and isolated environment, therefore a positive attitude and a flexible approach are the two most valuable attributes you can possess in these roles. Skills, Qualifications, and Experience Essential • Clean driving licence and good driving record • Wide range of relevant experience in operating construction plant / farm machinery / bulldozers, lorry loader cranes, excavators etc. • Proficient in written and spoken English • Capable working individually and as part of a team • To communicate efficiently and express your ideas clearly and confidently at all levels • Ability to manage time effectively • Ability to adapt successfully to changing situations and environments • Must have good awareness of health and safety and working environment • Keep equipment in a serviceable and safe condition • Ability to use initiative, identify opportunities and be proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions • You will need to pass a medical test to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions Desirable • C. T. A or equivalent • Driving, Telehandler, MEWP, Lorry Loader driving licence (training will be provided) • Mechanically competent at performing basic servicing of machines • Consultative decision-making style 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, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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 SurveyBAS reference: BAS 26/01Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Summer contracts up to 6 months and Wintering contracts up to 22 monthsLocation: Rothera Research Station, Halley Research Station or TraverseSalary band: AEP B1A £30,224 - £31,183 per annum (pro rata)Closing date: 22nd February 2026, 23:55Interview date: w/c 16th March 2026