Join to apply for the Glaciologist (Firn Evolution) role at British Antarctic Survey

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Join to apply for the Glaciologist (Firn Evolution) role at British Antarctic Survey

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British Antarctic Survey provided pay range

This range is provided by British Antarctic Survey. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

£41,344 - £45,479 the band minimum is the normal starting pay for those new to a role. In exceptional circumstances, when relevant skills and experience can be identified, a higher starting salary may be considered.

We will give full consideration to requests for flexible and part time working, such as reduced hours, compressed hours or job sharing. We also offer hybrid working and recognise the many benefits this brings. The nature of the role will determine if flexible and hybrid working options are possible.

Interview date – Tuesday 26th August 2025

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an experienced Glaciologist to join our Ice Dynamics and Palaeoclimate team to work on understanding firn evolution on the Larsen C Ice Shelf. Applications will be assessed in parallel for this role and the “Glaciologist – Calving” role (BAS 25/76) so there is no need to apply for both roles.

This is a new 30-month post to support the NWO-funded project “Evolution of the Larsen C firn layer: a multi-decadal record of ice shelf vulnerability to atmospheric warming” (https://www.nwo.nl/en/news/five-projects-break-the-ice-on-antarctic-research/). This post requires specific skills in analysis and interpretation of data in three areas – ApRES (phase-sensitive ground-based radar), airborne radar and multi-sensor satellite altimetry. The post-holder will provide the data that is used to evaluate state-of-the-art regional climate and firn models and a firn emulator to project the vulnerability of the ice shelf to atmospheric warming in the coming century. They will need to liaise with atmospheric scientists in BAS and the Netherlands. Field experience is desirable as there may be opportunity to travel to the Larsen C to install new radar system and maintain weather stations.

You’ll help us to deliver a map of firn air content and comparison of the density profile with long-term climate records. Within the role, there will be an opportunity to develop other skills, for instance firn core analysis.

You’ll join a community of glaciologists at BAS working on projects in both Antarctica and the Arctic including to understand tabular iceberg calving (https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/rift-tip/), operational monitoring of the Brunt Ice Shelf (https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/brunt-ice-shelf-movement/), the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (https://www.bas.ac.uk/project/international-thwaites-glacier-collaboration/), and modelling that feeds into the UK Earth System Model.

You’ll be joining a world-leading interdisciplinary research organisation, that is committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support, you need to thrive at BAS.

Some of your main responsibilities will include:

• Analysis of airborne radar data of ice thickness collected in the 2025-2026 season and comparison with previous surveys from the 1990’s and early 2000’s.
• Analysis of phase-sensitive ground-based radar (ApRES) from a standard 300MHz system and a new UHF system for high-resolution measurements of firn structure.

Please download job description for more details.

For the role of Glaciologist, we are looking for somebody who has:

• Expertise managing and processing airborne and/or ground-based radar data.
• Strong project planning and organizational skills

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.

About BAS

BAS delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe!

Working at BAS is rewarding. Our skilled science, operational 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), which is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org

As a valued member of our team, you’ll be eligible for the following benefits:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days
• Excellent civil service pension (with 26% or more employer contribution, depending on your band)
• 24 hours/365 days access to employee assistance programme (EAP – including support with physical, mental, social, health and financial issues)
• Flexible and family friendly working opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to discounted shopping on a range of retail, leisure and lifestyle categories and much more.

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.

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