Zoological Field Assistant (Birds) - Bird Island British Antarctic Survey BAS 26/24 Contract type: AEP - Fixed-Term Appointment - 20 months Location: Bird Island/Antarctica Salary: AEP B1A - £31,183 per annum (pro rata) Closing date: 29/03/2026 Interview date: Early May Background/Overview: Zoological Field Assistants will be recruited to carry out fieldwork on seabirds and seals on a sub-Antarctic Island. Bird Island is small (5 km in length) and forms part of the South Georgia archipelago where it is buffeted by both prevailing westerlies and cold winds from Antarctica. It has a high annual rainfall and variable snow cover during winter and is home to thousands of Antarctic fur seals and seabirds including wandering albatross and macaroni penguins. The successful applicants will work and live on Bird Island continuously for the duration of the contract. Field assistants will be required to undertake a range of scientific activities to continue the long-term ecological monitoring programme on Bird Island, comprising of roles to specifically monitor albatross and penguins, and petrels. It is expected that all staff will contribute to and help with all aspects of the research programme. The scientific roles on Bird Island all require successful candidates to undertake animal handling. This requires a minimum of a British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ringing license (Minimum Restricted C Seabirds). Fieldwork at Bird Island is intensive, with long hours of fieldwork and data preparation, requiring high levels of organisation. Data are collated using databases and by submitting reports, observing deadlines at frequent intervals. The long-term monitoring programme collects data on the demography, reproductive success, diet, and behaviour of multiple species of seabird on Bird Island. This vital information is used to explore regional and global change, as well as being used to make management decisions for the conservation of wider Antarctic environment. The position of Zoological Field Assistant offers a unique opportunity for highly motivated and disciplined individuals with relevant fieldwork skills and a keen interest in wildlife, who will adapt well to small island living in a challenging sub-Antarctic environment. During winter months, Bird Island has reduced numbers of staff on station. As a result, some extra responsibilities will be shared amongst the staff. We will require one member to additionally take on the role of Winter Station Leader. This role involves managing the station in a safe and efficient manner, and maintaining effective communication with the Stations Operations Manager, Facilities Engineer, and other BAS staff. If you would be interested in this position, please include this in your application. Purpose: To work at Bird Island for 18 months preparing, collecting, and recording seabird data for the long-term monitoring science programme. To assist with other elements of the research programme as required. You'll work at Bird Island for 18 months preparing, collecting, and recording seabird data for the long-term monitoring science programme. This advertisement is for the two positions working with seabirds on Bird Island, one position will be responsible for the albatross monitoring with the other responsible for the monitoring of penguins and petrels. Although distinct roles, it is expected that zoological field assistants will help with monitoring of other species, including seals. You will also assist with other elements of the research programme as required. Within the role, there will be an opportunity to develop a wide range of research skills that are used frequently throughout the research work environment. Skills are also highly transferable and will allow zoological field assistants to pursue careers however they wish following a deployment. Employment to the Antarctic Employment Pool (AEP) will allow candidates to redeploy either to Bird Island or other Antarctic bases under a range of roles following a successful completion of their contract. Duties: Keeping the research station running (including cooking and cleaning), as well as providing IT, communications, and medical cover. Field Assistant 1, Responsible for work on albatrosses: Monitor and collate data from four species of albatross including demography, breeding success, population size, chick growth, and diet. Assist with seal and penguin monitoring. Collect project data for BAS scientists and visiting researchers (e.g. deploy transmitters and loggers to measure aspects of foraging and chick provisioning strategy). Field Assistant 2, Responsible for work on penguins and giant petrels: Monitor and collate data from penguins and giant petrels including demography, population size, chick growth, and diet. Assist with seal and albatross monitoring. Collect project data for BAS scientists and visiting researchers (e.g. deploy transmitters and loggers to measure aspects of foraging and chick provisioning strategy). Skills, Qualifications & Experience Essential: • An undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences/Ecology/Zoology or similar to have been awarded by the interview date • Wild bird/animal handling experience in the field • BTO Bird ringing license (Minimum - Restricted C) • Handled wild seabirds • Proficient in the use of IT equipment, word processing, spreadsheet and email software • Self-motivated and can work unsupervised • Fluent in written and spoken English Language • Experience of scientific report writing • Worked in a small team in remote locations • You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions. Desirable: • Laboratory management experience • Attached devices to animals • Knowledge of GIS software • Knowledge of wilderness survival techniques and first aid 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. Although this job is not UK based, the successful candidate will be required to attend training in the UK which will require a right to work. For this role, the only potential for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa is where an individual is currently sponsored for another role/sponsor assigned via a certificate of sponsorship dated prior to 5 April 2024 who also continues to meet the New Entrant criteria of the Skilled worker route. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y. 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 - 20 months | Antarctica | £31,183 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date: 29 March 2026