Field Coordinator

UKRI; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is hiring Field Coordinators for a fixed-term appointment in Antarctica. The role involves managing logistics hubs and field camps, ensuring safety for personnel, and delivering essential training. Candidates must possess significant experience in remote management and polar environments. This position requires adaptability, leadership, and physical fitness for demanding conditions. An ability to work autonomously and in teams is essential, with duties including equipment maintenance and supporting scientific projects.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Employee shopping/travel discounts

Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in managing groups in remote environments.
• Ability to work in hazardous conditions for extended periods.
• Physical fitness to meet the demands of working in Antarctica.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all field personnel.
• Organise and staff forward operating bases and remote field camps.
• Deliver training in survival skills and personal management.

Skills

Group leadership and management in remote environments

Polar camp craft skills or equivalent experience

Camp management and group catering in the field

Manual handling skills

Effective communication skills

Problem-solving abilities

Ability to manage stock and resources

Experience around aircraft

Wilderness first aid

Education

UK Mountain Leader or equivalent outdoor leadership qualifications

Tools

Word processing and spreadsheet software

Stock control software (e.g., MAXIMO)

Job description

Contract type: Antarctic Employment Pool - Fixed-Term Appointment - between 12 and 18 months

Location: Antarctica

Interview Date: w/c 27 th April 2026. Panel and practical interview in Cambridge

Purpose

British Antarctic Survey is looking for practical, organised and experienced individuals to work as Field Coordinators in Antarctica. Field Coordinators run the logistics hubs, fuel depots and static field camps that support the BAS field programme. In addition, they deliver BAS specific field training alongside preparing and maintaining field equipment.

Field coordinators will work at and maintain stations, at Sky Blu, Fossil Bluff and other deep field locations, and must be prepared to spend extended periods of time in the field. They will coordinate operations at these sites to ensure the safe effective running of the field logistics network.

Field coordinators must have significant experience of managing groups in remote, hazardous environments and should have spent significant time in polar (or similar) environments. Previous experience of BAS or other Polar programmes is desirable, as is experience of camp management in a polar environment.

Duties

To ensure the safety and well‑being of all field personnel and manage all hazards in the field.

To ensure all fieldwork is carried out safely and efficiently following the appropriate BAS procedures.

To organise and staff forward operating bases, remote field camps and depots.

Provide support to aircraft operations such as weather observations, refuelling and cargo movements.

Provide direct support to science projects close to the station and deep field when appropriate.

Provision of a Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) for aircraft operations.

To coordinate the initial response to incidents at field sites as they arise.

To report problems to the Field Operations Manager when they arise.

Deliver training in survival skills, camp craft and personal management in the field.

Prepare and maintain equipment in the field, including tents, sledges, snowmobiles & generators, where practical.

To renovate and prepare field equipment, such as stoves, tents and sledges, pre‑ and post‑deployment.

To organise cargo movements to and from the field, including completing load sheets, identifying dangerous goods and using cargo tracking systems.

To carry out stock takes, assist in the procurement of field equipment and supplies, and maintain asset and stock management systems.

To prepare and consign additional food and equipment requested by parties in the field through the Field Party Request system.

To create and update standard operating procedures and associated documentation with support from managers.

Support aircraft operations by providing weather observations, ground support and RFFS.

To undertake general duties as required by the Field Operations Manager and/or Station Leader, which could include building maintenance, decorating, cargo work, and ship operations.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

Group leadership and management in remote environments

Polar camp craft skills or equivalent experience

Camp management and group catering in the field

Manual handling and the ability to lift, push and pull required loads

Practical skills/background

Able to dynamically identify hazards and apply appropriate mitigations and safe systems of work

Able to lead an incident response at a field camp level

Competent with word processing and spreadsheet software

Able to write reports and use stock control software such as MAXIMO

Problem‑solving abilities both practical and theoretical

Able to work to a variable operational tempo with no fixed hours and manage fatigue

Ability to manage stock and resources

Able to work with limited management oversight

Proactively identifies tasks and able to prioritise and manage many competing demands

Effective communications to team and station (sometimes remotely e.g., over HF Radio)

Ability to make appropriate decisions about field safety in remote and hazardous environments

Able to make decisions in conjunction with other members of staff (both on‑site and remote) and autonomously as required

One‑to‑one, as well as strong team working

Able to organise people and equipment

Ability to work as part of a small remote team for extended periods of time

An understanding of group dynamics and conflict resolution

Previous experience of physically demanding work

Must be physically fit enough to cope with the working environment in Antarctica and pass a BAS medical

UK Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, IML or equivalent outdoor leadership qualifications

Wilderness first aid

Experience setting up and maintaining skiing and Snowboarding equipment

Experience working around aircraft and providing ground support

Experience using radio and satellite communications equipment

Experience of polar field work and logistics

Operation of large vehicles, such as telescopic handler and tractor

Experience of writing and updating risk assessments

Experience responding to incidents and developing contingency plans in remote environments

Teaching Experience, delivering practical and classroom‑based outdoor skills training

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 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. As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. 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 .

About Us

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.

About the Team

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.