Working at BAS is rewarding. Our skilled science, operational 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), which is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org
What we offer:
As a valued employee, you’ll be eligible for benefits including an end of contract payment upon completion of a successful assignment in Antarctica, annual leave, a defined contribution pension scheme with NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) and access to 24 hours/365 days per year employee assistance program. In addition, you will be provided with pre-deployment training and accommodation costs. All food, accommodation and polar clothing during Antarctic deployment will also be provided.
Zoological field assistants (Seals) will sit within the Ecosystems team at the British Antarctic Survey. The Ecosystems team works across a wide variety of taxa and processes to understand the biological processes of life within the Antarctic environment. The research goal of Ecosystems is to understand the combined global climate inspired change and commercial fishing on polar marine ecosystems. The team is made of three groups: Ocean Ecosystems, Higher Predators, and Conservation & Management. Zoological field assistants will primarily sit within the Higher Predators Group but will have opportunity to work with researchers from all groups.
You’ll work at Bird Island for 18 months preparing, collecting, and recording seabird data for the long-term monitoring science program. This advertisement is for the one position working with Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals on Bird Island. It is expected that zoological field assistants will help with monitoring of other species, including albatross, penguins, and petrels. You will also assist with other elements of the research program 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.
The primary research program at Bird Island is the long-term monitoring program which investigates the life history patterns and demographics of higher predators at Bird Island. This long running project is exploring the long-term trends in populations of Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals to inform management of these species at a local and international level. Frequently, further research projects are undertaken at Bird Island and zoological field assistants are expected to help and contribute to these projects and can often include GPS or satellite tracking, behavioral assays, and environmental sampling.
You’ll be joining a world-leading interdisciplinary research organization, that is committed to recruiting talented people like you giving you the support, you need to thrive at BAS. Antarctica is one of the most exhilarating and spectacular workplaces you could imagine.
The UK’s polar research effort is critically important for understanding environmental issues that affect everyone. This is an opportunity to do what may seem like an ordinary job in the most extraordinary place on Earth.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Monitoring of Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals
- Investigating demography, breeding success, population size and diet of the relevant animal
- Collecting project data for BAS scientists and visiting researchers
For the role of Zoological Field Assistant we are looking for somebody who:
- Has an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences/Ecology/Zoology or similar to have been awarded by the interview date
- Has wild bird/animal handling experience in the field
- Has experience handling non-captive (wild) seals
- Is proficient in the use of IT equipment
- Is self-motivated and can work unsupervised
- Is physically fit and capable of carrying out fieldwork in rugged terrain
Salary: £30,201 per annum
Application deadline: March 31, 2025
Interview/assessment/start date – Interviews 6th-8th May, start date last week of August
