The posting
Job Description
British Antarctic Survey BAS 26/78 Contract type Fixed-Term Contract – 36 months Location BAS Cambridge Salary Band D S1 £46,444 - £51,088 per annum Closing date 23/11/2026 22:55 Interview date 08/12/2026
Overview Purpose To oversee the integration of the two new Sediment coring systems onto the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) and to maintain scientific or operational mechanical based systems and to support scientific cruises on board research ships.
Duties • To oversee the integration of the new Piston Corer and the Giant Piston Corer onto the SDA. • Provide mechanical engineering support and deliver engineering projects to scientific and operational teams based in the UK, on board research vessels, and in polar regions. • Maintain, fault-find, and support scientific and operational mechanical systems, including equipment deployed on ships and at remote polar locations. • Work collaboratively with engineering and science teams to plan and deliver projects and tasks safely, efficiently, and to agreed standards. • Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes, systems, and working practices within Engineering and Technology. • Undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility, as required.
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience Essential • Broad, practical, mechanical experience. • Relevant HNC or higher. • Experience use of design software. • Proficient in written and spoken English. • Demonstrable teamwork . • Ability to work on ship or remote polar environment. Desirable • Polar or marine systems. • Scientific or data acquisition instruments. • Maintenance of mechanical systems. Control systems. • Maintenance of hydraulic systems. • Coring experience. • Relevant Degree or lower qualification supported by extensive experience. • Project management for small projects. • Able to communicate to a wide range of audiences. • Excellent problem-solving skills. • Small or remote team experience.
Three Women, Three Very Different Paths into BAS Engineering - VERCIDA
Women in Engineering at British Antarctic Survey - VERCIDA
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.
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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.
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.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.
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 the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is 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.
