British Antarctic Survey Reference: BAS 26/07 Contract type: Antarctic Employment Pool - Fixed-Term Appointment - 20 months Location: Rothera Research Station Salary: AEP B1A £31,183 per annum (pro rata) Closing date: 1 st March 2026, 23:55 Interview Date: w/c 20 th April 2026 and assessments in late April/Early May 2026 As part of your application, please complete this diving information form. Boating and Diving Form - Ocean Scientist - Fill in form Failure to complete may result in the application not being considered. Purpose We are looking to appoint an Ocean Scientist to run the ongoing biological and oceanography times series which includes leading the tasks of aquaria and chemistry lab maintenance, CTD profiling, seawater sampling, sediment trapping, iceberg scour dive surveys, ice observations and biological monitoring and collections together with supporting other sampling and diving activities. You'll be joining BAS at an exciting time with the role spanning over two science teams. The first being the polar oceans team which explores the physics, chemistry and biochemistry of the Southern Ocean and high arctic waters. The second team is Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptations which looks at ecology and physiology of biodiversity in the shallows. You'll help us to deliver the ongoing biological and oceanography times series which will include taking a leading role in maintenance of aquaria and chemistry lab maintenance; CTD profiling; sea water profiling; diving to measure iceberg scouring and make biological collections. Current projects the team are working on include an environmental impact assessment of a proposed runway extension at Rothera alongside the BAM team. This will be supporting the possibilities of acquiring a new long range aircraft link with the Falkland Islands and South America. Duties Maintenance of aquaria: Small flow-through aquaria enabling holding of live specimens. These need regular maintenance, back-flushing, logging of temperatures and prevention of excess ice build up. CTD time series and sea water sampling: Regular seawater samples will be taken from a site close to the research station as part of a long running programme looking at seasonal patterns and year to year variation in temperature, chlorophyll and nutrient concentration. Samples are taken by water bottle from a small workboat summer or through holes cut in the fast-ice in winter. They are analysed in a small chemistry lab on base. In addition, there is a regular profile taken with CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) probe to 500 metres. These data are important for detecting changes and feedbacks in the physical and biological oceanographic systems. This will also support work by visiting scientists who take extra water samples for specific projects. Iceberg scouring: Annual SCUBA-based survey of a series of markers from 5-25m depth adjacent to the station in South Cove. Recording identity of markers hit by icebergs and replacing these with new markers. There is also photography of each grid square (enclosed by markers). Monitoring, maintenance and switch over of memory cards on remote camera at Badger Buttress (which photographs calving and iceberg transits around Sheldon glacier). Ice Observations: Regular measurements are taken of the extent, thickness and type of ice and are essential for interpreting the data from the water sampling and sediment trapping programmes. As with the continuation of the oceanographic time series, this long term data set is of great importance. Support of other science programmes: The main role of the Ocean Scientist is to run the year-round time series programmes. There are also summer visits by marine biologists and oceanographers to Rothera, who require assistance either within the laboratory or for field work. This often includes recovery of ocean gliders and dive support. Collection of material for UK scientists: Every year BAS receives a number of requests for both living and preserved biological material for research. Specimens are to be collected whenever possible while diving or from the shore, though usually later in the summer for live material that is transported to Cambridge in a refrigerated aquarium. Biological Monitoring: Together with the marine biologist you will undertake a comprehensive programme of biological monitoring through SCUBA diving. This includes serial documentation of settlement onto experimental slate panels and reproductive activity. Seabird and marine mammal work: A small amount of regular observation and census work on seabirds and marine mammals will be required. Personal projects: It is anticipated there will be some time available for a small individual research project to be undertaken. This will necessarily match the overall programme of research at Rothera, but will not be of sufficient size to be suitable for a higher degree. Station Duties: As a member of a small wintering team (~20 personnel) you will be expected to take a share of station duties (cooking, cleaning, night watch etc). Skills, Qualifications, and Experience Essential BSc 2:1 Experienced SCUBA diver (CMAS 3* equivalent, minimum 80 logged dives. Including 40 cold water dives Knowledge of small boat handling Management of finite lab consumables and resources Proficient in written and spoken English language Ability to get on in a small, tight-knit team for extended periods Ability to live and work within a small team at Rothera which integrates within a larger team in Cambridge. You will need to pass a medical test to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions Desirable HSE SCUBA (part IV) or equivalent Advanced European Scientific Diver 100 logged dives, including 50 cold water dives RYA Powerboat Level 2 or above Experience in water chemistry Aquarium and/or animal husbandry experience Proficient with Word, Excel and spreadsheets Flexible approach to problem solving As part of your application, please complete this diving information form. Boating and Diving Form - Ocean Scientist - Fill in form Failure to complete may result in the application not being considered. 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 - 20 months | £31,183 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date 1 March 2026