Science and Technology Facilities Council
SDA Atmospheric and Aerosol Science Systems Engineer

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British Antarctic Survey - BAS 26 75
Contract type: 3 year Fixed-Term Contract
Location: Cambridge
Salary Band: D S1 £46,444 - £51,088 per annum
Closing date: 15/11/2026
Interview date: w/c 23/11/2026
Overview
Purpose
To commission the atmospheric science systems onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) including:
- The operation of the trace gas and aerosol instrumentation.
- Implementing air sampling methods for the atmospheric science instrumentation on board the SDA, including sample flow control and inlet characterisation.
- Developing standard operating procedures (including routine maintenance schedules, calibration procedures, responsibility for stock and consumables).
- Supporting the modification of equipment where necessary.
- Writing relevant health and safety documentation (input of data into BAS information management system), automation of the systems to build high-quality, long-term observations and datasets.
Duties
- To develop scientific or operational electronic and electrical systems.
- To maintain scientific or operational systems including those on ships or at remote polar locations. Some ability to support and understand mechanical systems would also be expected.
- Provide engineering support and projects to the scientific and operational departments in the UK, and users on board ships and in polar regions.
- Working with and supporting engineering colleagues, delivering projects and tasks in a professional manner.
- Other duties as appropriate.
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
Essential
- Experience with atmospheric science instrumentation.
- Field work experience.
- Experience with gas handling systems.
- Troubleshooting instrumentation.
- Relevant HNC or higher Degree level.
- Suitable engineering or scientific mathematical capabilities.
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Demonstrable Teamwork.
- Willingness to work on ship or remote polar environment.
- You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions.
Desirable
- Experience with trace gas or aerosol measurements.
- Knowledge of traceability of standards/calibration scales as applied to atmospheric measurements.
- Experience with Polar or marine systems, including the maintenance of instrumentation or measurement systems.
- Data acquisition.
- High level programming, Python, or similar.
- Degree level Relevant Degree and/or extensive experience. Masters/PhD or equivalent experience.
- Experience use of design software.
- Project and budget management for small projects.
- Able to communicate to a wide range of audiences.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
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.
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Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the UKRI Internal Movement Guidance for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and your HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.
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 [https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/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’. [https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/edi-in-the-workforce/#contents-list]
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.


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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.
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.
British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
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 the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is 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.
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