Agricultural Plant Mechanic – Antarctica 

British Antarctic Survey

BAS reference: BAS 26/49

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Summer contracts up to 6 months and Wintering contracts up to 22 months

Location: Antarctica: Rothera Research Station, Halley Research Station or Traverse

Salary band: AEP B1A £30,224 - £31,183 plus a £3,000 allowance per annum (pro rata)

Closing date: 06 May 2026, 23:55

Interview date: w/c 18 May 2026

Purpose

The main duties of this role is to be able to carry out Machine Plant Diagnostics, Servicing and Repairs to, Agricultural, Industrial, Snowmobile Equipment to the highest standard. Vehicle servicing is undertaken to makers' recommendations and is based on elapsed hours.  To aid this system, daily logs are required to be kept, listing hours run, fuel used, oil, repairs completed, and any problems encountered. Vehicle servicing may range from the simplest operations at short intervals (oils, filters, adjustments etc.) to complete engine and final drive overhauls. There is also a requirement to operate the vehicles and plant periodically for snow clearing operations. I.e., Snowblower / Bulldozer / Cranes etc. for which specific courses and instructions will be given either pre-deployment or after arrival on station.

Halley is our most southerly base and is built on a permanent ice shelf where vehicles are essential to the continued running of the station. Here all vehicles are tracked, and range from Bulldozers, Mobile Cranes, Tucker Sno-Cats, PistenBullys, and snowmobiles. At Rothera, on the Antarctic Peninsula, the vehicles are used to support a large air assisted field programme.  The station has a large number of 2-stroke and 4-stroke snowmobiles, which are used in these programmes during the summer and winter months. Each station holds a comprehensive stock of spares for the different types of vehicles catering for all normal repairs, though in our experience the most unusual failures do sometimes occur, and so great reliance is placed on mechanics to "engineer" themselves out of trouble.  A combined stock check and re-ordering system is employed, and it is essential that this is conscientiously followed and organised part stocks maintained on base.

Although the mechanics working on fixed and mobile plant each have their own responsibilities, they are expected to work together and provide engineering support, which is essential to the running of the station. You will need to promote and present a professional image and offer service solutions to other departments and frequently liaise with Vehicles Management team.  This will be a challenging and demanding opportunity in an extreme and isolated environment, therefore a positive attitude and a flexible approach are the two most valuable attributes you can possess in these roles.

Duties

• Service and maintain equipment to the manufacturers’ specifications

• Operate mobile plant when required for snow clearance and general station maintenance

• To carry out repairs to the highest standard 

• Keep garage and workshops in a safe and tidy condition

• Maintain detailed spare parts inventory

• Build strong and positive relationships with all departments

• Feedback any important information to Vehicles management

• To promote BAS in a professional manner

• Continually look to develop yourself through courses and other media when available

• Maintain and improve vehicles section profile

• Carry out all work practices in line with company health and safety policy

• Contribute to overall success of operations through teamwork and good communication within BAS

• Assist with other station duties as directed by line management

• Responsible for the provision of the station’s vehicles, and mobile plant equipment

   

In addition to the duties of maintaining vehicles, the Agricultural Plant Mechanics may be called upon to utilise their skills as general engineers for the other base disciplines, such as carrying out small modification or repairs to scientific equipment. The other shared duties on the station include kitchen assistance, housekeeping duties, Sunday cook and night fire watch etc. These are allocated on a rota basis and are shared by all station members.

Other responsibilities will include:

• The reporting of major problems to the Head of Vehicles Engineering at Cambridge and the Vehicles Engineering Manager on site
• The care, use, and re-ordering of the maintenance materials and spare parts
• The upkeep of the workshop and tools
• Simple monthly and annual reports of machinery hours run, and work completed
• Working with other staff to ensure the operational and safety standards of the station are maintained
• Undertaking general duties as required by the Vehicles Engineering Manager and Station Leader

 

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

Essential

• Clean driving license and good driving record 

• Wide range of relevant experience in the maintenance / overhaul of contractor’s plant, farm machinery or heavy vehicles

• Able to convey technical problems/information 

• Proficient in written and spoken English language

• Capable working individually and as part of a team

• Capable of controlling a varied fleet of vehicles, diesel generators, and ancillary plant

• Familiar with P.P.M.

• Ability to adapt successfully to changing situations and environments

• To communicate efficiently and express your ideas clearly and confidently at all levels 

• Ability to manage time effectively

• Ability to gather information systematically to establish facts and principles for problem solving

• Excellent technical diagnostics skills

• Ability to use initiative, identify opportunities and be proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions

• You will need to pass a medical test to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions

 

Desirable

• C&G / N.V.Q. / B. TECH or equivalent, in a mechanical discipline

• Able to work unsupervised

• Able to produce reports

• Consultative decision-making style

• Able to interpret technical manuals and simple schematics

   

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.

For this role, the only potential for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa is where an individual is currently sponsored for another role/sponsor assigned via a certificate of sponsorship dated prior to 5 April 2024 who also continues to meet the New Entrant criteria of the Skilled worker route. 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.

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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.

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As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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