Antarctic Atmospheric Scientist

The British Antarctic Survey Published: January 17, 2018
Location
Skill Level
Mid Level
Job Type
Full-time Freelance / Limited Contract
Categories
Analyst / Research / Scientific

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Description

~ The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is an international leader in Antarctic science that is relevant to global problems. We deliver science that is excellent, exciting, and innovative. We also provide world-leading research infrastructure that enables scientists from the UK, and colleagues from many nations, to work safely and effectively in the polar regions. ~

Understanding how the Earth works, and in particular how it is responding to ever-increasing human pressures, is one of science’s greatest challenges. Within the Earth system, the Polar Regions, although geographically remote, are of special relevance. Antarctic and Arctic sea-ice cover and the great Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets are important parts of the climate system. The polar environment and ecology provides a sensitive indicator of global change. Antarctic sediments and ice cores tell us about the history of past climate, which can help us predict the climate of the future. Seizing these opportunities for globally important research will teach us more about the environmental processes that affect everyone.

Position Overview

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) offers the opportunity for suitably qualified persons to join multi-disciplinary teams at Halley and Rothera stations in Antarctica. This is science with a difference. As part of a small, highly motivated team, the successful candidate will be spending a year in the Antarctic. 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.

The appointment will be for approximately 18 months, commencing in August 2018 in Cambridge. The successful candidate will undertake appropriate specialist training in all aspects of the job, prior to travelling to the Antarctic in the autumn of 2018 and returning in spring 2020.

This will be a challenging and demanding opportunity to work in an extreme and isolated environment. Applicants must therefore be physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctica. 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.

This is a 12 month, fixed-term appointment.

Responsibilities

  • The successful candidate will be responsible 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.

Qualifications

  • A degree or HND in physics, chemistry, geophysics, meteorology, electronic engineering or a related subject.
  • Experience of using atmospheric chemistry instruments would be an advantage.
  • An ability to solve problems and to be flexible are also key characteristics of the job.
  • You will need to be physically capable and medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.

Compensation: £23,937 per annum initially. Additionally, upon completion of a successful tour, you will receive a 10% bonus.

Additional Information

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.

From April 2018, the British Antarctic Survey, a component part of the Natural Environment Research Council, will be part of UK Research and Innovation. UK Research and Innovation will bring together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England. The vision for the new organisation is to be the best research and innovation organisation in the world. More information can be found online. From April 2018, you will be employed by UK Research and Innovation.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume. On-line application forms and further information are available here.

These are also available from the Human Resources Section, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Tel: (01223) 221508.

Please quote reference: BAS 01/18

Application Deadline:

  • Closing date for receipt of application forms is: 1st April 2018
  • Interviews are scheduled to be held on: 23rd April 2018
  • Proposed start date: 1st August 2018

~ We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities and disabled people are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job role. ~

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