Description

British Antarctic Survey

Reference: BAS 26/11

Contract type: Antarctic Employment Pool - Fixed-Term Appointment - 18-month contract

Location: Rothera Research Station

Salary: AEP B1A £31,183 per annum (pro rata)

Closing date: 1 st March 2026, 23:55

Interview Date: Interviews and assessments in early April 2026.

Start date: July 2026

As part of your application, please complete this diving information form - Boating and Diving Form - Marine Biologist - Fill in form Failure to complete may result in the application not being considered.

Purpose

We are looking for a Marine Biologist to continue investigations into the autecology of shallow water marine assemblages in the Antarctic. This project will focus on how carbon in macroalgae, their standing stock, production, export and associated fauna differs between locations. In particular, we are interested in converting visual surveys of macroalgae (% cover) both within Ryder Bay and through collaborators from Palmer and Carlini stations. In-situ experiments will measure macroalgal productivity and export (fragmentation) and the importance of macroalgae to carbon sequestration in adjacent deeper sediments through stable isotope analysis.

The post involves a minimum of 18 months at the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera Research Station, Antarctica and is expected to result in a number of high-quality scientific publications.

Within the Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptations team, this project will:

1) Collections and surveys will be used to assess the standing stock of macroalgae in Ryder Bay and their associated fauna.

2) Samples will be collected, sorted and identified (light microscopy). The carbon content of assemblages will be estimated using ovens and furnaces.

3) In-situ experiments will be assessing the production of macroalgae, including shed blades that export carbon into adjacent deep sediments.

4) Sediment cores will be taken in adjacent deeper sediments to measure macroalgal signals in sediment carbon to assess the importance of macroalgae to sequestration.

5) Data will be compared with that collected by collaborators at Carlini ( Dolores Deregibus) and Palmer (Chuck Amsler) stations to gain an Antarctic Peninsula wide understanding of macroalgal blue carbon.

The post holder will work with the marine team to maintain continuing science projects, to record continuous data on ecological variability. These include monthly feeding surveys of benthic invertebrates and deployments of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) to monitor mobile fauna.

This position will work with experienced members of the BAS Biodiversity Evolution and Adaptations team to direct the investigations. The position involves year-round SCUBA diving from small boats and through sea ice, use of a range of laboratory techniques to identify species and gather the ecological information that will feed into long term studies of shallow water communities in this region. During the pre-deployment period and while on station, the post holder will play a role in planning, organisation, and implementation of this research programme whilst also supporting a diverse range of other marine science projects, and station activities, particularly during the summer months. These additional roles could include advanced medical and fire cover, depending on experience and requirements on station. In addition, as a member of a small wintering team (~20 personnel), you will be expected to share station duties (cooking, cleaning, night watch etc). The post involves a minimum of 1.5 years (that can be extended to 2.5 years) at the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera Research Station with up to 6 months post deployment write-up time in Cambridge to submit publications .

Duties

The successful candidate will organise and implement the proposed research programme:

• Year-round SCUBA surveys of macroalgal assemblages
• Boat surveys of adjacent deep sediments
• Ecological description of macroalgal associated fauna
• Stereo light-microscopy and use of keys to identify species
• Good laboratory skills to measure and preserve individuals for taxonomy and measure carbon content
• Animal husbandry and photography skills to add to the library of ID photos
• Analyse data and prepare for publication. Curate data for archiving and long-term utilisation.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication
• Play an active role in the marine team, supporting a diverse range of projects.
• This will include being part of an active dive team, operating the recompression chamber, boating, driving the tractor, operating the crane and providing search and recovery cover.

Due to the remote location in the Antarctic strong organisational and interpersonal skills are required for this post .

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

Essential

• BSc 2:1, minimum
• Experienced SCUBA diver (CMAS 3* minimum)
• Minimum 100 logged dives (30 cold water, dry suit dives)
• Full-face mask experience is preferred, although in-post training may be considered
• Experience of full-face mask is essential before diving with BAS
• Marine Biology (use of keys for identification), microscope and laboratory skills
• Proficient in English language
• Data visualisation and statistics
• Self-management within the requirements of the wider team
• Ability to live and work within a small team which integrates within a larger team
• Enthusiasm to regularly report progress to wider team
• Self-manage within the framework of a dynamic team
• You will need to pass a medical test to work in Antarctic conditions

Desirable

• HSE SCUBA (part IV) or equivalent
• Advanced European Scientific Diver
• 100 cold water dives (
• 50+ drysuit dives
• Small boat handling experience
• Use of ROV
• Ecological modelling
• Experience of GIS software
• Underwater photography
• Aquarium husbandry experience
• Peer reviewed publication or report writing

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.

As part of your application, please complete this diving information form - Boating and Diving Form - Marine Biologist - Fill in form Failure to complete may result in the application not being considered.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 Survey | Fixed-Term Appointment - 18 months | Antarctica | £31,183 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date: 1 March 2026