Job Description

Carpenter

British Antarctic Survey

BAS 26/46

Contract type: Antarctic Employment Pool – Fixed Term (6 or 18 months)

Location: Antarctica

Salary: AEP B1A - £30,224-£31,183 per annum (pro rata)

Closing date: 10th May 2026

Interview date: w/c 1st June 2026

Background/Overview:

Working as a part of a small team, you will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the structure, fabric, fixtures and fitting of the stations. Using your own initiative, you will be required to be self-motivated and work both individually and as part of a team. You will have served a full relevant apprenticeship or relevant City & Guilds, together with on-site practical carpentry experience and general builder skills.

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its 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 its 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.

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 amazing places then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.

Purpose:

The main purpose is to work as part of a small team with the Facilities Engineer to complete the programme of works for the station during the austral summer. Works to consist of small projects. Maintenance and repair, upkeep and support of Antarctic station buildings and infrastructure.

Examples of Past projects

• Pouring of concrete pads to support mast structures at Rothera.

• Remote science hut build at Signy Station.

• Removal and laying of new Vinyl flooring.

• Bedroom refurbishment with fitted furniture.

Duties:

• Maintaining and repairing the structure, fabric, fixtures and fittings of the stations, which includes general building works. External cladding repairs, service boxing repair, flooring.

• Carrying out minor works projects under the guidance of the Facilities Engineer or Building Surveyor.

• The reporting of major problems or work requests to the Facilities Engineer who is the Line Manager for this post.

• Maintenance of all tools and equipment required to complete the works.

• Maintenance and revision of materials and tools stock lists to ensure sufficient spares, equipment and materials are available to carry out the planned works for the following year.

• Liaison with the Facilities Engineer and Station Management to co-ordinate the work program to meet overall season objectives in a safe manner.

• Record works undertaken and advise items to be added to the maintenance program.

• To organise and carry out work in a safe, orderly and tradesman like way including compliance with all appropriate risk assessments and method statements.

• Working with and assisting other building and engineering trades to ensure the planned projects are completed.

• Work with other staff to ensure the operational and safety standards of the station are maintained.

• Undertake general base duties in assisting the general running of the station playing an active role in the relief of the base, domestic support, general duties and the like as required by the Facilities Engineer and Station Leader.

About you:

• Ability to work under pressure.

• Quality focused.

• Health and safety focused.

• Able to work in a team or individually.

• Happy to think out problems and resolve independently.

• Be easy to get along with and a good communicator.

• Confident with IT systems and answering emails and phone calls.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Served full apprenticeship, BTEC, relevant City & Guilds

• On-site practical carpentry and general builder skills

• Ability to use tools & materials

• Basic computer operating skills; using the Microsoft Office suite of programs

• Ability to work within a management structure, referring back to line manager with problems

• Be self-motivated

• Ability to work individually and as part of a team

• Problem solving & flexibility

• Ability to work within existing management structure, reference back to line manager with problems.

• Good numerical ability and the ability to read drawings

• You will need to pass a medical to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions

• Ability to report any problems or issues to the line manager.

• Proficient in written and spoken English language

Desirable:

• CSCS Certificate

• Experience in Cabinet making

• Qualification in teaching others the use of machinery

• Report writing experience

• Previous use of electronic pre planned maintenance systems

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.

Although this job is not UK based, the successful candidate will be required to attend training in the UK which will require a right to work.

For this role, the only potential for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa is where an individual is currently sponsored for another role/sponsor assigned via a certificate of sponsorship dated prior to 5 April 2024 who also continues to meet the New Entrant criteria of the Skilled worker route. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

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

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’.

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.

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.