Biological Collections Assistant

Biological Collections Assistant

British Antarctic Survey

Reference: BAS 25/140

Contract type: 15 Month Fixed Term Assignment

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £32,315 - £34,560

Closing date 20th December

Purpose

You'll be joining our Laboratory Management Team, coordinating with the Polar Aquarium & Controlled Environment Facility project management team, and working with a range of scientists to assist in the review of biological material held within the collections.

You'll help us to deliver and review material to be relocated to the new facility, assess the condition of the samples and storage media, and improve metadata associated with the collections. You will assist the Aquarium Technician with the operation of current facilities and transition to the new aquarium. The role will integrate with the Polar Data Centre to work towards creating Open Data and ensuring that samples and data collected today will be usable long into the future.

Within the role, there will be an opportunity to develop a wider understanding of Polar biology, research techniques, and specialist animal husbandry skills for the care of Antarctic marine invertebrates and fish. Launch of the new facility will involve database development, presentation skills, and stakeholder and media engagement.

Current projects the team are working on include the construction of the new facilities, science projects utilising the temporary aquarium facilities, and communication plans for the launch of the new facilities. The wider laboratory team support multidisciplinary science projects, within the UK and Polar regions.

Duties

• Conduct a review of the content of the Biological Specimen Store with the aim of reducing the volume and improving quality of material to be moved to the new Controlled Environment Facility.
• Coordinate with BAS scientists in carrying out a physical review of collections held and complete database records.
• Assess the physical quality of biological specimens and containment packaging and carrying out actions to improve to required standard (or process for disposal).
• Review the associated metadata and update the records held on relevant databases, standardizing data collection.
• Work with the Biological Collections Manager to develop a strategy to address any shortcomings and implement agreed corrections.
• Identify the appropriate Animal Plant Health Agency import license for the material and responsibility for completing actions required for storage compliance.
• Work with the Biological Collections Manager to plan and coordinate the move of material to the new facility. Take responsibility for managing the physical relocation (manual handling will be required).
• Work with the Aquarium Technician to complete daily tasks in animal husbandry and aquarium system maintenance.
• Assist with the transition of marine fish and invertebrates to the new aquarium facility.
• Assist with the delivery of the communication plan for the new facility (multimedia output and stakeholder engagement)
• Ensure compliance with HSE regulations for working with hazardous material (chemical and biological).
• Join on-call rota for cold storage and aquarium facility out of hours response (training provided)

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in biological science
• Familiarity with database entry
• Good knowledge of database query language
• Experience of biological sample identification/taxonomic classification
• Evidence of an interest in, and good working knowledge of, an aspect of marine science
• Experience working in a data management/collection capacity
• Awareness of Animal & Plant Health Agency import licenses regulations for handling and storage of HG2 biological material
• Proficient in written and spoken English language and able to communicate effectively
• Ability to clearly report progress against an agreed work plan
• Experience of working successfully within a small team and independently
• Experience of science communication 
• Evidence of high levels of organisation and attention to detail in a previous role 

Desirable

• Degree with a component of marine biology
• Degree (or equivalent experience) with a component of data management
• Competent in using a variety of software tools 
• Familiarity with Oracle
• Experience in aquarium management

As a BAS employee, you'll be eligible for the following benefits:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days
• Civil Service pension (with 26% or more employer contribution, depending on your band)
• 24 hours/365 days access to employee assistance programme (including support with physical, mental, social, health and financial issues)
• Flexible and family friendly working opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to discounted shopping on a range of retail, leisure, and lifestyle categories and much more

We will give full consideration to requests for flexible and part time working, such as reduced hours, compressed hours or job sharing. We also offer hybrid working and recognise the many benefits this brings. The nature of the role will determine if flexible and hybrid working options are possible.

The pay band minimum is the normal starting pay for those new to a role. In exceptional circumstances, when relevant skills and experience can be identified, a higher starting salary may be considered.