Overview

Description

British Antarctic Survey is offering a unique opportunity as Geological Collections Laboratory Assistant to support our geological science services.

What is about?

The post holder will assist with the archiving of sediment core and rock collections, including within our new sediment core facility. The post will also provide technical support for the processing of marine sediment cores for grain-size and micropaleontology analysis.

Who are we ?

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. 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 to 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

To assist the Geology Laboratory Manager with rationalising specimen storage, cataloguing and archiving specimens, and maintaining the Geological Collections Database. This will include management of sediment cores and assisting with the set-up of a new sediment core storage facility. The main technical support requirement is to process marine sediment samples collected during IODP Expedition 382. The post holder will carry out a range of laboratory work in Cambridge, including subsampling and freeze-drying samples for future analyses, sieving samples for grain-size analysis and micropaleonotology work, picking of particular benthic and planktic foraminifera species and fish teeth under an optical microscope. The post-holder may be required to spend up to 4 weeks at the Bremen Core Repository, Germany, to XRF-scan the intact archive halves of the these sediment cores. To assist with other laboratory duties as required.

Qualification

Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences.

Duties

  • Assist with geological specimen archiving and storage, including sediment cores.
  • Update and maintain the digital Geological Collections Database.
  • Assist with laboratory maintenance and duties (as required).
  • Carry out laboratory-based analyses (outlined above).
  • Assist with laboratory maintenance and duties (as required).
  • Spend up to 4 weeks at the Bremen Core Repository, Germany to XRF-scan core (full training will be given).
  • Contribute to reports and meetings as directed Any other task as identified by the Director and Head of the services.

Summary

Job reference: BAS 20/49
Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration: 8 months
Salary: Starting salary from £24,777 per annum.
Benefits: We offer generous benefits
Team: British Antarctic Survey
Location: Cambridge
Closing date: 15 March, 2020 8:57 am

Skills Specification

Skills are listed as either Essential or Desirable. Desirable skills importance rating in parenthesis (1 is high, 5 is low)

Communication skills – a) oral skills b) written skills

  • Fluent in written and spoken English language. – Essential

Computer / IT skills

  • Experience of using Microsoft Excel and Word. – Essential
  • Use of Access and/or APEX databases – Desirable [1]

Decision Making

  • Ability to work with minimal supervision. – Essential
  • Capable of applying common sense but also knowing when to seek advice. – Essential

Interpersonal skills

  • Ability to work as part of a team, to listen carefully to instructions and make sure they understand what is required. – Essential

Numerical ability

  • At least one science A level of grade C or above Maths GCSE or equivalent. – Essential

Other Factors

  • Must be able to use step ladders. Work involves manual and assisted handling of heavy specimens over various heights. – Essential

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences. – Essential
  • MSc in environmental or geosciences. – Desirable [1]

Resource Management ability

  • Ability to work flexibly & effectively. – Essential
  • Able to prioritise work activities with guidance from line manager. – Desirable [2]

Skills / Experience

  • Experience working in a laboratory. Sedimentological work on marine or lake cores. – Essential
  • Laboratory work on sediment samples, microscopic work on terrigenous grains and foraminifera (incl. foraminifera taxonomy), grain size analysis. – Essential
  • Experience in: XRFscanning. – Desirable [1]
  • Experience of working in Earth Science storage facilities. – Desirable [1]

How to Apply

You can apply for this job online or you can print off the application forms, fill them out by hand and mail them.

Visit the application page on the BAS website.