Antarctica Program Scientist II (Seasonal)
About the role
Antarctica Program Scientist II (Seasonal)
Location: Antarctica
Duration: 3 Months
Position Type: SCI II
Deadline to Apply: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Job Type: Full Time (40+ hours per week), Seasonal, Exempt
Compensation: $2,704.00 per biweekly pay period (equates to $33.80 per hour for 80 hours). Benefits are limited to up to 40 hours of paid sick leave, accrued incrementally each biweekly pay period.
Job Summary:
The Antarctica Program Scientist will spend up to 3 months in Antarctica living and working as a part of a team that studies Adelie penguin breeding and wintering ecology. The scientist will lead field data collection and quality control of data and may carry out data analysis and report writing. Works with the program leadership to shape study design and research priorities.
Field work will involve a deployment of up to 3 months (November – February) in Antarctica, stationed at a small field camp (2-5 people) at one of the penguin colonies on Ross Island. The field crew works out of a remote camp with a small hut or Rac Tent, sleeping in tents, and camp is accessible in good weather conditions only by helicopter from McMurdo station, which is in turn only accessible by military aircraft from New Zealand. Living conditions in the field are rustic, communal space is cramped, and there is no running water (showers). Temperatures range from -20 to +10 C, with intermittent severe wind and snowstorms.
Essential Functions:
Field Research: 90%
Collect data on many aspects of the Adelie Penguin species’ breeding and wintering ecology.
Find banded (known age) penguins and record their nesting status
Deploy and maintain automated scale and PIT-tag reader.
Program and deploy biologging devices on individual penguins to track movement and behavior.
Measure chicks and record observations of chick diet.
Survey for whales and pinnipeds.
Conducts UAV surveys to photograph and census nesting adults and chicks.
Data entry and proofing.
Other Duties: 10%
Lead creation of outreach materials for website and social media.
Host livestreams with classrooms and public from the field
Project administration including but not limited to safety and permitting, sample curation, scheduling, ordering supplies, shipping project cargo. Performs special projects and research as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Experience conducting UAV surveys in Antarctica and current FAA Remote Pilot certification (part 107).
Demonstrated experience with the field methods of this project.
Understanding of the broader context of polar biology and climate change.
Demonstrated skill developing code for data analysis and visualization, image analysis, scientific writing, and manuscript preparation.
Critical thinking and evaluation of research and conservation.
Familiarity with Climate-smart conservation.
Experience with science communication.
Strong knowledge of data management and statistical analysis.
Experience with the safety and logistical challenges of working in Antarctica.
Experience living and working in challenging outdoor environments.
Attention to detail and patience.
Teamwork skills – ability to communicate well, actively listen, and be responsible.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Tolerance of cold, windy, and dirty working conditions.
Ability to go for several months without running water or internet.
Ability to sleep on the ground in a tent with 24-hour daylight.
Certifications and/or Licenses:
Valid United States driver’s license and favorable driving history, and proof of auto insurance.
Ability to receive permit to work with endangered bird species, pinnipeds, and other wildlife as needed
Possession of, or ability to obtain by the hiring date, all relevant certificates, permits, or licenses to conduct the required activities. These include wilderness first aid, CPR, FAA Remote Pilot certification, banding and scientific collection permits.
Preferred Education and Experience:
This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, zoology, ornithology, or related field; and 3-4 years of experience working with wildlife or related field.
Selecting Qualifications (Required)
At least one prior field season with Point Blue’s Antarctica Program penguin research team on Ross Island.
Hand-on experience using the team’s field data collection, data entry, and data management protocols.
Prior deployment to Antarctica with the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP)
Must have completed USAP physical qualification for the 2026-27 summer season by October 28th, 2026.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office environment and in remote field locations with uneven terrain, limited vehicle access, limited cell phone receptions, and sometimes in a solitary capacity.
A minimum of 8 weeks per year are spent living and working in the field in Antarctica.
Performs field work including physical effort to hike on steep, uneven, and rough terrain, stoop, crouch, climb, lift and sit still in performance of assigned duties.
Ability to carry a 40+ lb. backpack daily on steep terrain with uneven footing.
In Antarctica, you will experience cold, windy, and dirty working conditions.
May require the ability to operate an all-terrain vehicle, motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft and to travel to different sites and locations.
Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets
When in office, work environment is indoors with majority of time spent sitting at a desk.
Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, walk, twist and turn.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to use a computer keyboard and calculator.
Position Type, Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
This is a full-time position.
Days and hours of work vary depending on season, fieldwork, and timeline requirements.
Evening and weekend work will be required when at the field station as job duties demand.
Limited travel to and from the field station is expected for this position.
Point Blue is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.