Biological Collections Assistant

UKRI; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in Cambridge seeks a Biological Collections Assistant to join their Laboratory Management Team. The role involves coordinating with scientists to review biological materials and ensuring that collections meet appropriate standards. Candidates should have a degree in biological science, experience in data management, and familiarity with marine science. This position offers flexibility in working arrangements and access to various employee benefits, contributing to innovative research in the Polar Regions.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Civil Service pension

Access to employee assistance programme

Flexible working opportunities

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts on retail and lifestyle categories

Qualifications

• Experience of working successfully in a small team and independently.
• Ability to report progress against an agreed work plan.
• Evidence of high levels of organization and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a review of the Biological Specimen Store.
• Coordinate with BAS scientists in physical review of collections.
• Assess physical quality of biological specimens.

Skills

Degree in biological science

Familiarity with database entry

Good knowledge of database query language

Experience of biological sample identification/taxonomic classification

Interest in marine science

Experience working in data management

Awareness of Animal & Plant Health Agency import regulations

Proficient in written and spoken English

Experience in aquarium management

Education

Degree with a component of marine biology

Degree with a component of data management

Tools

Oracle

Various software tools

Job description

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Job Info

• Job Category Science
• Apply Before 12/20/2025, 11:55 PM
• Job Identification 1683
• Posting Date 11/28/2025, 04:22 PM
• Job Shift Day

Job Description

Biological Collections Assistant

British Antarctic Survey

Reference: BAS 25/140

Contract type: 15 Month Fixed Term Assignment

Location: Cambridge

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 utilizing the temporary aquarium facilities, and communication plans for the launch of the new facilities. The wider laboratory team supports 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

• 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
• 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.

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world‑leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world‑class research, skills and business‑led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

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.

About the Team

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. We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as 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 one of the most unique places in the world, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.