The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is gearing up for a monumental 2024/25 season as we prepare for the hand-over of our new Operations and Science Support building at Rothera Research Station. This cutting-edge low carbon facility is set to be operational by March 2025 marking a significant leap forward for modern Antarctic scientific research.
As the 2024/25 season progresses, the focus will intensify on relocation from our existing infrastructure to the new Discovery Building. This transition will demand a mix of technical skills and knowledge, alongside the resilience to cope with the unexpected.
The heart of our success lies in the collective effort of the station community. Specialist support teams will play a crucial role in facilitating this, but it is the dedication and problem-solving attitude of our entire team that will truly make the difference. We are on the lookout for individuals who thrive in the face of the unexpected, love mixing with a diverse range of people, and can showcase their ability to adapt, problem-solve, and work seamlessly in extreme conditions.
As the Discovery building becomes operational, a select non-wintering team will remain in Rothera to make sure it is working effectively before winter sets in. This team will kick off their journey home in early/mid-June 2025, passing the baton to a wintering team of up to 40 dedicated individuals. Together, they will brave the challenges of the Antarctic winter, preparing the Discovery building for its crucial inaugural season.
If you want to be part of this unique opportunity, where your skills, adaptability, and commitment will be pivotal in making sure the future of Antarctic science and research is secure for the next 25 years, then we want to hear from you. Be part of the team that writes the next chapter in the legacy of exploration and discovery at Rothera.
Whilst Rothera is our largest research facility, the 2024/25 season is set to bring a variety of different opportunities at all our research stations. We are looking for amazing people to join our teams across Antarctica and the South Georgia Islands.
Halley Research Station:
Halley is the most Southern of the BAS research stations. It is situated on the dynamic Brunt Ice Shelf in the Weddell Sea. Due to the shortness of the season (approx. 3 months) and often extreme weather conditions we require professional, dedicated, and skilled people to help us safely deliver our Antarctic season. Halley is like a small village and requires a diverse range of skills and people to keep our operation running smoothly. Whether you’re a Chef, Tradesperson, or Vehicle Mechanic/Operator, and you’re keen, dedicated, and have the skills and a sense of adventure, Halley could be for you! You will meet fellow professionals from all walks of life and experience moments that few others will, which will stay with you for life.
Bird Island:
Bird Island research station is the smallest site BAS operates, lying off the north-west tip of South Georgia. Bird Island is one of the richest wildlife sites in the world and is an important centre for research into bird and seal biology. Each year, a team of Zoological Assistants undertake roles to monitor and deliver our science and a successful team of Technicians, Plumbers, Electricians, and Carpenters provide facilities maintenance and support. Bird Island offers the opportunity for either an austral summer contract (6 months) or a wintering contract (18 months).
King Edward Point:
Located in the Southern Ocean, the King Edward Point facility provides critical research to support the management of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) Marine Protected Area and the sustainable fisheries that are licensed by the Government of SGSSI. This season, King Edward Point station provides the opportunity to work as a Boating Officer, Station Assistant, or a Facilities Technician as part of our summer team or a smaller wintering team ensuring the station operates efficiently all year round.
Signy:
Research at Signy focuses on its bird populations and terrestrial ecology. Because terrestrial ecosystems in the Antarctic are so simple – from mosses and bacteria to mites, the largest terrestrial organism – they allow biologists a rare opportunity to understand fundamental processes that would be impossible to unravel in more complex ecosystems. Opportunities to join our Scientists at Signy are for summer-only contracts (6 months) and provide the chance to work as Electrical and Mechanical Maintenance Technicians, Carpenters, and Station Assistants.
Working as part of our team:
Our multi-disciplinary teams work because we recognise each other’s strengths and work together to support each other. We are looking for people who can bring their passion and enthusiasm for:
Team dynamics and communication
You will love working as part of team, contributing to something bigger and building a community. Recognising that it is everyone’s responsibility to help create a safe and respectful work environment is vital. Your communication skills will enable you to share information with colleagues, motivate or even inspire others to follow your lead. As you work and live together, you will build friendships, share a laugh, provide a listening ear, develop new skills, encourage, and support each other.
Adaptability, problem solving and the ability to cope with the unexpected
The extraordinary nature of research, operations and support in the polar regions means you can’t just order online or nip back to get something that you’ve forgotten. In being able to cope with the unexpected, you know that good planning and following the right processes and practices is the best course of action. However, you will also enjoy being able to adapt to different situations, think creatively and thrive on finding the right solution to a problem.
Career development or a one-off opportunity:
We recognise the fundamental importance of developing the skills and competence of our staff. We offer a wide range of job opportunities and advertise our vacancies throughout the year. Whether you are interested in joining BAS in one of our seasonal Antarctic based roles, or as a Cambridge-based employee, or even as part of our programme developing the next generation of polar scientists, you will have the opportunity to grow and develop your skills.
Check our current vacancies here.