Zoological Field Assistant (Seals) - Antarctica

Zoological field assistants (Seals) will sit within the Ecosystems team at the British Antarctic Survey. The Ecosystems team works across a wide variety of taxa and processes to understand the biological processes of life within the Antarctic environment. The research goal of Ecosystems is to understand the combined global climate inspired change and commercial fishing on polar marine ecosystems. The team is made of three groups: Ocean Ecosystems, Higher Predators, and Conservation & Management. Zoological field assistants will primarily sit within the Higher Predators Group but will have opportunity to work with researchers from all groups.

You’ll work at Bird Island for 18 months preparing, collecting, and recording seabird data for the long-term monitoring science programme.  This advertisement is for the one position working with Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals on Bird Island. It is expected that zoological field assistants will help with monitoring of other species, including albatross, penguins, and petrels. You will also assist with other elements of the research programme as required.

Within the role, there will be an opportunity to develop a wide range of research skills that are used frequently throughout the research work environment. Skills are also highly transferable and will allow zoological field assistants to pursue careers however they wish following a deployment.

Employment to the Antarctic Employment Pool (AEP) will allow candidates to redeploy either to Bird Island or other Antarctic bases under a range of roles following a successful completion of their contract.

The primary research programme at Bird Island is the long-term monitoring programme which investigates the life history patterns and demographics of higher predators at Bird Island. This long running project is exploring the long-term trends in populations of Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals to inform management of these species at a local and international level. Frequently, further research projects are undertaken at Bird Island and zoological field assistants are expected to help and contribute to these projects and can often include GPS or satellite tracking, behavioural assays, and environmental sampling.

You’ll be joining a world-leading interdisciplinary research organisation, that is committed to recruiting talented people like you giving you the support, you need to thrive at BAS.  Antarctica is one of the most exhilarating and spectacular workplaces you could imagine. 

The UK’s polar research effort is critically important for understanding environmental issues that affect everyone.  This is an opportunity to do what may seem like an ordinary job in the most extraordinary place on Earth.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring of Antarctic fur seals and leopard seals
• Investigating demography, breeding success, population size and diet of the relevant animal
• Collecting project data for BAS scientists and visiting researchers

For the role of Zoological Field Assistant we are looking for somebody who:

• Has an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences/Ecology/Zoology or similar to have been awarded by the interview date
• Has wild bird/animal handling experience in the field
• Has experience handling non-captive (wild) seals
• Is proficient in the use of IT equipment
• Is self-motivated and can work unsupervised
• Is physically fit and capable of carrying out fieldwork in rugged terrain

Please download job description for more details.

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to hear from you.  Apply now at bas.ac.uk/vacancies.

What experiences can we offer you?

At BAS we believe everyone plays a vital role, is unique and valued, therefore, we embrace diversity as well as equality of opportunity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming working environment where everyone’s unique perspectives are valued.

Different perspectives and collaborative working help us achieve our best work and come together to form a high performing team which makes positive changes in the business. That’s the power of every individual.  Our cultural values are built on mutual respect, inclusion, commitment and excellence.

If you are looking for an opportunity to work with world class and amazing people in one of the most unique places in the world, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you.

If you require the job information in an alternative format (i.e. email, audio or video), or would like any further information or support, please do not hesitate to get in touch at jobs@bas.ac.uk or alternatively you can call us on 01223 221508.