Sourced directly from Science and Technology Facilities Council's own careers page
SDA Atmospheric and Aerosol Science Systems Engineer
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom£46,444 – £51,088
Thinking of applying? Check your CV against this job first.
See your match score, your strongest skills for this role, and what's missing — before you spend time on an application.
Your real match score
Free CareerPilot account · Takes about 2 minutes
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.
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 [http://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.
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) 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 [https://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.