Commercial Cleaner

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is hiring a Commercial Cleaner to support the Cambridge BAS Estates team. The role focuses on maintaining a clean, hygienic environment and building strong relationships with staff and visitors. Flexible working is offered Monday to Friday, but the position is not suitable for hybrid working.

Duties include waste removal, floor care, polishing, toilet and kitchenette cleaning, and stocking supplies. The role requires COSHH awareness and adherence to safety policies.

Qualifications

• General standard of education.
• Computer literate with basic IT skills.
• Proven ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Good listening and instruction-following abilities.
• Desire for self and team development.
• Ability to take guidance from supervisor.
• Commitment to UKRI values and teamwork.
• Understanding of COSHH and health and safety needs.

Responsibilities

• Empty bins and replace liners.
• Vacuum and sweep floors; damp mop as needed.
• Polish and clean surfaces, glass, and fixtures.
• Clean sanitary areas and kitchenettes.
• Restock hand towels and soap dispensers.
• Handle stores request forms and provide cover as needed.
• Follow Health and Safety Policy and work with the team.

Skills

General education

Computer literate

Independent working

Communication skills

Team player

Health and safety awareness

Education

General education

Job description

British Antarctic Survey
Commercial Cleaner
BAS 26/87
Contract type: Fixed-Term Contract - 18 months
Location: Cambridge
Salary: £25,842 to £26,186 per annum
Closing date: 25 October 2026

Overview:
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are looking for a commercial cleaner to support the Cambridge based BAS Estates team. The role involves developing superb working relationships with various stakeholders including internal staff and visitors. This post offers flexible working (Mon-Fri). This role is not suitable for hybrid working.

Purpose

• To work as part of the BAS cleaning team to help maintain a clean and hygienic environment in support of BAS Facilities Management
• To ensure that BAS Cambridge site is clean and maintained in a safe environment
• To ensure that high standards of health and safety are maintained

Duties

• Empty bins & replace liners
• Vacuum/sweep floors
• Damp mop floors
• Polishing
• Clean sanitary areas
• Dusting
• Glass cleaning
• Waste recycling
• Cleaning of toilet areas & kitchenettes
• Topping up of hand towel dispensers and soap dispensers
• Stores request forms
• Provide cover for sickness and holiday
• Work within the Health and Safety Policy
• Other duties and cleaning tasks as detailed by the manager

Skill Specification

Essential

• General standard of education
• Computer literate
• Proven skills in working independently with minimum supervision
• Good communication skills in listening and understanding instructions
• Motivated individual with a strong desire for self and team development
• Ability to take instructions from and discuss issues with the supervisor
• Good time keeping
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to follow verbal and written instruction
• Work within the UKRI values
• Ability to work effectively and as part of a team. Ability to build productive relationships and work with a wide range of scientists, operational staff, and external partners
• To understand COSHH and Health and Safety needs

Desirable

• Previous cleaning experience
• Previous experience cleaning in a multifunctional environment
• Ability to plan own workload

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.

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. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

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, 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.

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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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.