More than 200 Antarctic jobs have been opened for applications for the 2027-2028 season, with the Australian Antarctic Program seeking tradespeople, specialists and support staff for its research stations.
Contracts range from six months to more than a year, covering 29 roles including electricians, carpenters, mechanics, plumbers and chefs. Vacancies are also available in science, aviation, voyage and field leadership, and telecommunications.
The programme is looking for people able to live and work in a close community, with candidates expected to be inclusive, respectful and willing to share accommodation with other expeditioners.
“We are looking for people who are prepared to go and live in a community environment that are inclusive, respectful of other people and ready to throw themselves in a big share house,” said Gina Woodward, head of expeditioner recruitment and support.
Applicants must be Australian citizens and have the relevant trade qualifications and several years of experience. The selection process includes assessments of personal characteristics, as well as medical and psychological checks.
Working in Antarctica
Nelson Clegg, a 34-year-old Bureau of Meteorology technical officer from Western Australia, is on his third stint in Antarctica and is currently based at Davis station.
His duties include maintaining weather instruments, releasing weather balloons each day and making aviation observations. He said the work offered the chance to see auroras, penguin rookeries and seal colonies, while also building strong bonds with fellow workers.
“You can be walking to work at 10 o’clock in the morning and have an aurora over your head,” Clegg said.
He said watching the sea ice change through the seasons was another highlight. For those staying through the darker and colder winter months, he found that keeping to a gym routine and a regular schedule helped him adjust.
“There is nothing overly special or unique about us, we were all just sort of willing to … take that leap,” Clegg said, urging prospective applicants to consider the experience.
Recruitment was highly competitive last year, when the programme received 6,200 applications. Woodward said there was no quota for female representation, with the priority being to find the right combination of people and skills.
Applications for the 2027-2028 Antarctic season close on October 31.
