UKRI
Sustainable Field Instrument Engineer
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British Antarctic Survey
BAS - 26/54
Contract type
Fixed-term contract to March 2028
Location
Cambridge, with fieldwork to polar regions, if required.
Salary
Band D S1 - £46,444 - £51,088
Closing date
02 August 2026 22:55
Interview date
w/c 16th August 2026
Background/Overview
Purpose:
Join a unique and impactful project to develop innovative engineering solutions that support net zero field science in Antarctica. This is an exciting opportunity to apply and develop your skills in structural design, thermal management, modelling, testing and engineering analysis, while gaining experience in the practical development of systems for operation in one of the world's most challenging environments. Your work will contribute directly to reducing the carbon footprint, improving the reliability and increasing the sustainability of BAS field instruments and infrastructure.
This role focuses on the design, testing and optimisation of small-scale structures and shelters that support and house scientific instruments in remote locations. These enclosures play a critical role in protecting scientific equipment, managing thermal performance and enabling long-term autonomous operation in harsh polar environments.
Duties
- Develop and test engineering solutions which reduce carbon emissions associated with field instruments with a particular focus on structural design and thermal management alongside renewable energy generation, energy storage, improved testing, and other means of reducing the need for visits to service instruments.
- Contribute to advancing the capabilities of BAS in structures and heat management, with a particular focus on the small structures and enclosures that support autonomous scientific instruments at remote field sites. This includes the design, analysis and validation of systems operating in extreme environments whilst also supporting the development of power generation, power management and communications, and our test capability.
- Assist with the project management and reporting of progress to stakeholders.
- Assist with the technical review of engineering solutions developed within the programme.
- Other duties as appropriate.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Instrumentation Engineering: Experience of developing engineering solutions relevant to field instrumentation.
- Sustainability Engineering: Experience of developing renewable and/or low carbon solutions.
- HNC/HND or higher in Engineering.
- Able to interpret calculations relevant to engineering.
- Experience of office computing skills including spreadsheets.
- Ability to work both in teams and independently of others and show initiative.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines and within budgets.
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Ability to make decisions under pressure to solve problems.
- Able to work with a range of staff in remote, isolated areas under difficult conditions.
- Demonstrable teamwork.
- You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions if required.
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Desirable:
- Experience of developing field instrumentation deployed in remote locations.
- Experience of developing solutions which reduce carbon emissions in remote environments (e.g. thermal management, renewable energy generation, energy storage, reducing servicing needs).
- Relevant degree or higher.
- Use of CAD/eCAD / schematic / PCB software.
- Experience of managing engineering projects, including managing scope, schedule, budgets and stakeholders.
- Able to communicate to a wide range of audiences.
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 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. 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.
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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