Research Assistant

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, aims to undertake a world-class programme of scientific research, and to sustain for the UK an active and influential regional presence and a leadership role in Antarctic affairs. 

The Ecosystems Programme requires a Research Assistant to help analyse the results from a fur seal survey of South Georgia. The principal task is to interpret photographs using image analysis software to mark and count animals of various age and sex classes. The process involves several stages, from electronically stitching images together (mostly complete) to “marking” each seal to collating the results and managing the many hundreds of files that will result from the work. The objective is a first estimate of the number of fur seals in this population - now one of the most abundant large mammals in the world, and a species that has recovered from near-extinction in only 60 years.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required for this post, but familiarity with general file handling on a PC is essential, and experience with Excel, Photoshop CS and Coreldraw would be a considerable advantage. The successful candidate will have good attention to detail, an ability to concentrate on fine-scale tasks, and ideally an interest in marine mammals.

Duration: The work will be carried out in Cambridge and is a full-time post, nominally for a 10 week period from December 2012. Training will be given, and a desktop PC is provided.

Salary: Salary will be in the range of £14,620 to £18,910 per annum, pro-rata. We offer a generous benefits package including a defined salary pension scheme, free car parking, flexible working hours and 30 days annual leave.

On-line application forms and further information are available on our website at www.antarctica.ac.uk/employment

These are also available from the Human Resources Section, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET. Tel: (01223) 221508.