£52,907 – £58,198Full Time
British Antarctic Survey
BAS 26/53
Contract type - Open ended appointment
Location – Cambridge, with fieldwork to polar regions as required.
Salary – Band E S2 - £52,907 - £58,198
Closing date - 07 June 2026
Interview date - 22/23 June 2026
Background/Overview:
We are seeking an observational physical oceanographer, with a strong interest in, and experience of, the design, procurement, deployment, data processing and scientific exploitation of oceanographic instrumentation. In addition to undertaking fieldwork as required in Antarctica and Greenland, the oceanographer will analyse these data and write research papers in high-profile journals, contributing to our understanding of high-latitude ocean circulation, and its links with climate variability and change.
Prepare for and undertake field campaigns to support numerous Polar Oceans projects. At present, this includes the Orkney Passage mooring array, which monitors the outflow of Antarctic Bottom Water from the Weddell Sea; and the Rothera mooring, which detects long term changes in Circumpolar Deep Water on the Antarctic continental shelves.
Lead elements of ship-based field campaigns in projects (recent examples being KANG-GLAC, BIOPOLE, OCEAN-ICE and POLOMINTS). This will include collection of data including CTD, ADCP, underway temperature-salinity and meteorological variables, as well as bottle collection for variables including salinity calibration and seawater oxygen isotopes.
Support the operation, piloting and future development of BAS’s autonomous underwater vehicle fleet. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of both physical and biogeochemical sensors, and a strong interest in the operation and development of these vehicles.
Write, publish and communicate scientific findings resulting from observations and associated research.
Support the development and writing of future research proposals, including for future research programmes such as Antarctica InSync and International Polar Year.
Lead and/or support the supervision of Masters/PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working within our research programme.
Work collaboratively with other observationalists and modellers within the Polar Oceans team to support the team, including, but not limited to: (i) Presenting research at national/international conferences and meetings; (ii) Liaising with external visitors including seminar speakers, and ; (iii) Assisting with communication activities to promote the work of the Polar Oceans team both internally within BAS and externally to other academics, policymakers and/or the general public.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.
Desirable:
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.
UKRI - UK Research and InnovationUKRI 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.
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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. 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.
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.
