NERC British Antarctic Survey Director of Science

UKRI Band X

£92,000 - £99,000 per annum

Full time, Permanent

Based in Cambridge, with national and international travel

Closing Thursday 12th December 2024 (23:59)

The 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. 

Job Overview 

The Director of Science at BAS is a role of profound responsibility and opportunity. You will guide our scientific research with a clear vision, making sure our work not only meets but exceeds world-class standards. Your role will promote BAS science to a diverse array of stakeholders, fostering international collaborations, and championing interdisciplinary approaches extending across UKRI and beyond. 

You will provide visible, charismatic, leadership across all areas of BAS science, ensuring strategic delivery of world-class science with impact. You will also promote and champion BAS science to external stakeholders, researchers and government departments. You will make sure BAS scientists develop opportunities for international collaboration across the UK and with international partners and facilitate cross-disciplinary working at UKRI level and beyond. 

Key Responsibilities

• To ensure that BAS fulfils its mission to undertake world-class science and deliver high quality outcomes for UK polar science
• To ensure that BAS science is ambitious and strategic and is aligned to UKRI-NERC’s and government’s objectives and priorities
• To champion BAS involvement in the wider polar sciences agenda and with the wider polar sciences community both nationally and internationally, and support new opportunities to apply BAS science expertise in other relevant areas (particularly data science and AI)
• To ensure that BAS science is structured, organised and strategically positioned to face the new science challenges in the polar regions
• To develop a clear financial strategy for science, including an emphasis on increasing funding and sound budgetary management
• To lead and co-ordinate BAS senior science leaders in order to ensure that all BAS science staff have/provide effective line management
• To ensure BAS’s science skills and staff engage with appropriate career and personal development
• To ensure good relationships with UKRI and NERC and work closely with other NERC and UKRI Centres and other appropriate research institutions in the UK and overseas
• To ensure membership of influential committees, such as those in NERC and UKRI and in the international polar community
• To represent the Director of BAS in appropriate international and national scientific forums and committees, and to engage with relevant external stakeholders for the benefit of BAS

About you

• Candidates should be at professorial level or above and are normally expected to hold a PhD
• Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation
• A motivational and inspirational leader with experience of successfully leading and developing high performing teams
• Strong financial management and strategic planning skills
• Experience in leading operations in Antarctica
• Outstanding communication skills, with a proven ability to engage and influence a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government and international bodies
• A commitment to health and safety excellence and risk management
• A track record of delivering organisational transformation and change management 

Therefore, if you are an accomplished leader with demonstrable expertise who is able to drive forward BAS's mission to deliver impactful science and contribute to a sustainable future for our planet then we would like to speak to you. 

For the full role profile, including responsibilities and essential criteria, please visit the candidate pack.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below.

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options 

Please click here for more details on the Benefits of working for UKRI – UKRI

How to Apply

Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV (up to four pages) and a statement of suitability (up to two pages) outlining their suitability for the role. Please click ‘apply’ for further information and to visit our careers page. 

UKRI is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are open to flexible working arrangements, including job share and secondment opportunities.