Our Antarctic Atmospheric Scientists carry out the Atmospheric Science programme for the stations. We have positions based at both Rothera and Halley VI Research Station, where the main focus of the role is the Meteorology programme and the routine Atmospheric Chemistry programme.
About the role
Life here is like nowhere else, so you must be ready to take on all the challenges that it offers. With the unparalleled beauty of the Antarctic, you will find this a profitable experience in more ways than one. The primary role of the successful candidate will be to make observations and to maintain and operate a suite of scientific instruments for studying the atmosphere and also to carry out quality assurance on the resulting environmental data.
Halley research station primarily concentrates on atmospheric research from ground level into space and the successful candidate will face the challenges of a newly relocated station. Halley is an important observatory studying the Antarctic ozone “hole”. Meteorology and Ozone Monitoring (MOM) makes regular measurements of the stratospheric ozone content, and participates in international projects to measure trace chemicals, which are instrumental in the processes leading to ozone depletion.
Other background pollution studies include taking snow and air samples for later isotopic and trace gas analysis in the UK. The Clean Air Sector Laboratory (CASLab) is the UK’s primary research facility for polar atmospheric chemistry. BAS operates a programme of routine measurements, as well as enhanced science campaigns, to study this clean background atmosphere, and how it links to wider global processes.
The station makes meteorological observations using an interactive, PC-based Automatic Weather Station, designed to facilitate data gathering and analysis and may make more frequent observations for aircraft. Regular upper air soundings are made using balloon-borne radio sondes. Additional observations and measurements are also made throughout the day.
The role involves taking responsibility for maintaining the atmospheric science equipment in good working order, maintaining the quality of the data and managing its transfer to electronic storage. Each scientist is a member of a small multi-disciplinary team of scientists and support staff; and as such, they are expected to be adaptable and work on other programmes and to take their share of general base work. As the station is isolated for most of the year, the ability to work without detailed supervision and to solve problems as they arise is paramount.
It is a challenging and demanding opportunity to work in an extreme and isolated environment. You must be adaptable and willing to take on various tasks as they arise including a considerable amount of outdoor maintenance and general base work.
Duties
- To carry out the meteorological observations and scientific duties described in the Met Station Instructions (MSI) as agreed by the head of Meteorology and Ozone Monitoring (MOM) and to carry out routine atmospheric chemistry measurements which are part of the Tropospheric Chemistry (TROPCHEM) project.
- To organise and carry out the work in a safe and professional way.
- To keep all work areas in a tidy condition.
- To report major problems to the head of MOM or TROPCHEM when they arise.
- To maintain or repair faulty instrumentation when possible/appropriate.
- To request replacement stores in a timely fashion.
- To compile monthly and annual reports of the work undertaken.
- To work with other staff to ensure that the operational and safety standards of the base are maintained.
- To undertake general duties as required by the Station Leader.
Who can apply?
The post holder will require a degree or HND in physics, chemistry, geophysics, meteorology, electronic engineering or a related subject.
Applications
You can find the full job description and skills specification for this role here: Antarctic Atmospheric Scientist – Job Description
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