Radio Operator

British Antarctic Survey

Reference : BAS 26 / 06

Contract type : Antarctic Employment Pool - Fixed-Term Appointment - 6 months

Location : Rothera Research Station

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

Closing date : 29 th March 2026, 23 : 55

Interview Date : Early May 2026

Purpose

Radio Operators at the Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island in Antarctica play a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of aviation and field operations across the continent, as well as being involved with station, marine and construction operations. Based in the operations tower in the new Discovery building, you will operate at the heart of station activity ensuring information is correctly disseminated to those concerned.

The role involves receiving, interpreting and relaying a wide range of operational information using various means of communication to a varied list of people and departments. Daily responsibilities include aircraft flight following, conducting and receiving weather observations, supporting-deep field operations, filing flight plans and ensuring the appropriate aerodrome emergency services are in place for aircraft movements, as well as much more. You will also monitor local marine operations, coordinate with our construction partners on their operations and you will be required to respond to any incidents or emergency situations.

Success in this position requires the ability to absorb and prioritise large amounts of information quickly, communicate it clearly and manage time-sensitive tasks accurately whilst avoiding unnecessary delays to other operations. Workloads can shift rapidly between high-intensity periods and quieter intervals.

Radio Operators coordinate and provide communications to field, marine, construction and station operations as well as providing an Air / Ground Communications Service for aviation operations. They also provide the initial response to any major accidents or incidents.

Working as part of the Tower and Field Operations Teams you'll provide an accurate and effective flow of information to various parties ensuring operations are conducted in a safe, timely and efficient manner.

Radio Operators must have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in person and over radio and satellite communications systems. You'll need to maintain excellent situational awareness, remain calm under pressure and be vigilant for safety related issues.

During the Antarctic summer season operations run 7-days a week. Work is dictated by the weather and operational requirements; therefore, work is carried out in a shift pattern and will require flexible working covering antisocial hours.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual eager to contribute to world-leading scientific research while living and working within a small, supportive community in one of the most remote and unique environments on the planet.

Duties

• Aircraft Flight Following
• Operating VHF and HF radios and satellite communications systems
• Passing and receiving operational messages to / from aircraft and field parties
• Ensuring the appropriate aerodrome emergency services cover is in place for aircraft movements
• Filing and operating flight plans and flight plan associated messages via the Assisted Flight Plan Exchange (AFPEx)
• Providing the initial response to major accidents and incidents
• Dealing with and responding to aircraft and other emergency situations
• Coordinating and liaising with construction operations
• Monitoring marine boating operations
• General support to station operations
• Ensuring all concerned staff are kept up to date with relevant operational information
• Keeping the meteorology and forecasting teams aware of adverse changes in weather conditions both at Rothera and in the field
• Ensuring field party requests are actioned and kept up to date

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

Essential

Desirable

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. 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.

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. 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 theNatural Environment Research Council (NERC).NERCis 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.British Antarctic Survey | Fixed-Term Appointment - 6 months | Antarctica | £30,224 per annum (pro rata) | Closing date : 29 March 2026