Assistant Information Officer job at Cambridge Full Time NEW

British Antarctic Survey
BAS 26/39
Contract type Open-ended appointment
Location Cambridge
Salary B S2 £27,749 – £29,137
Closing date 31 May 2026
Interview date 17 June 2026

Background/Overview:

This is an opportunity to work in a collaborative research environment with a variety of internationally important collections. You will be based within the BAS Information Services group, working across the Archives Service, Library and the UK Polar Data Centre. Jointly, these teams are responsible for managing 80 years’ worth of scientific and corporate data and information.

You will be responsible for administering cross-cutting activities within the group, in particular enquiry services and maintaining metrics. You will also help to improve collection discovery and access, creating and editing catalogue entries and metadata entries that cover archival material, library publications, and scientific datasets.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who enjoys communicating their work to colleagues and the wider public. Previous experience of working in a data, archives or information management role and experience of Open Research practices would be an advantage, as would some background knowledge or interest in science and Antarctica.

Please use your cover letter to tell us how you meet the skills specification for the role, and what excites you about this particular opportunity.

Purpose:

To support the work of the BAS Information Services group by answering enquiries, collating and reporting group output metrics and creating and maintaining metadata entries for both physical and digital information, with an initial focus in the BAS Archives and Library.

• To provide frontline enquiry support across the BAS Information Services group for both internal and external researchers. We receive a large number of wide-ranging enquiries relating to archival material, library publications and scientific datasets.
• To create and maintain discovery and usage metadata entries using defined standards and controlled vocabularies.
• To participate in cross-cutting projects between BAS Information Services and other groups where applicable.
• To help with auditing and inventory maintenance across the group (e.g. Archives Store inventory, library stock control, audits of new scientific datasets etc.)
• To support with editing and maintaining web and intranet pages for the BAS Information Services teams.
• To support visitors and tours as required.
• To report output metrics across the group including compiling statistics on the number of enquiries, visitors and downloads.
• Administrative tasks relating to the BAS Information Services and wider Innovation and Impact Directorate.
• Any other duties compatible with band and skill set as required by the Line Manager or Director.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Evidence of high levels of attention to detail.
• Ability to work methodically following a defined set of procedures.
• At least 5 GCSE/’O’ Levels or equivalent including English and Maths.
• Good IT skills – including good working knowledge of MS Office 365.
• Accurate data entry skills.
• Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Ability to write accurately and concisely.
• Confidence to communicate effectively to a wide range of stakeholders (both internal and external).
• Ability to work independently once fully trained in the role.
• Experience of working successfully within a small team.

• Experience of dealing with the public (both face-to-face and via email) and/or handling enquiries.

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working in an information management role.

• Higher level qualification in a scientific or information management area.

• Proven ability to learn new systems.

• Experience of cataloguing using archival or library software.

• Knowledge of Open Research practices.

• Ability to effectively manage your own workload whilst working across multiple teams.

• An interest in science and the Antarctic/polar regions.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.