STEM professionals wanted for Antarctica-based IT roles

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is currently recruiting numerous IT, telecommunications and trades-based professionals for their 2020 to 2021 season.

After the summer we’ve had, packing up and moving to Antarctica might not seem like such a crazy idea. In fact by the looks of the job opportunities currently advertised it could be a smart career move.

Alongside core roles in research and station support, the AAD is on the hunt for talented graduates fluent in STEM for their 2020 to 2021 summer season. Among their list of publicised science, tech, engineering and maths-heavy roles are an IT officer, a communications technical officer and various telecommunication positions.

Who has done it?

Expedition mechanic Amy Chetcuti has spent the last year fixing and maintaining machinery at Mawson and Davis research stations and confirms that it’s definitely a one-of-a-kind work environment.

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“You won’t find a job like it anywhere else in the world,” she says. “I definitely came home with a lot more skills than I went down with, and not just skills within my trade, but in things like hydroponic vegetables and helping out in the kitchen.”

Despite doing the nine-to-five thing Amy stresses that there are loads of opportunities to check out animals and scenery – and socialise too.

“It’s about so much more than just a job – to see animals in their natural habitat and to become part of that and there is also an amazing sense of community on station, you become one little family.”

What are the IT roles like?

Some of the IT officer jobs going will be based out of Casey and Davis stations and involve looking after the day-to-day running and tech maintenance of the stations in conjunction with AAD’s Tasmanian headquarters.

And the others? Service desk support for the tech aboard AAD’s ships.

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Despite there being no real roads on the continent applicants must hold a current driver’s licence, and be prepared to take on additional non IT-related tasks such as “kitchen duties, garbage clearance and snow removal.”

How much are they paid?

Quit a lot! IT workers in Antarctica can expect to earn the standard Australian Systems Administrator salary of around $75,000 per annum plus an extra $60,000 worth of additional allowances. Yep, just for hanging out in the cold.

How do I apply?

Kickstart the application process by uploading your CV, driver’s licence and tertiary qualification documents, filling out your contact details and then answering an epic questionnaire.

Applications close midnight January 23.

Author: Cassie Steel

As Refraction’s digital editor, Cassie Steel spends her days researching robots and stalking famous scientists on Twitter.