The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is looking for staff for the former Port Locre research station on Gudier Island in Antarctica. Staff will count penguins, welcome tourists and work in the museum, shop and post office. The current recruitment drive has already closed, and only UK residents with the right to work are eligible to apply.
Briefly about the main points
- Staff will be counting penguins, nests and chicks.
- Responsibilities also include working with tourists, the museum and the post office.
- The contract lasts for approximately five months.
- The fund pays £2,096 a month and covers basic living costs.
- The next round of vacancies is scheduled for early 2027.
Monitoring of the colony will be combined with work for tourists
Once the eggs have been laid, staff will count the number of individuals and nests in the colony. When the chicks hatch, staff will record them and monitor their development. These observations are used in research into the penguin population and the impact of human activity on the colony.
This is not a highly specialised academic post. Staff will also welcome cruise ship passengers arriving on the island, talk about the history of the location, and look after the museum and the gift shop. A separate duty will be working at the world’s southernmost post office.
The British The base was established in 1944 during World War II. It was later converted into a tourist attraction featuring a museum, a shop and a post office.
Contract, remuneration and candidate requirements
The contract provides for a stay at the base of approximately five months. The monthly payment is 2,096 pounds sterling, or thereabouts 2,400 euros. The Foundation covers the main costs during the expedition: it provides accommodation, meals and specialised equipment for low temperatures and adverse weather conditions.
Vacancies are open only to people who live in the UK and are authorised to work there. Recruitment for this year has closed; the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust plans to publish its next vacancy notice in early 2027.
Water by boat, a shared bedroom and physical labour
Living conditions at the base are basic. Staff are required to carry 20-litre water canisters, lift boxes weighing up to 15 kilograms, clear snow and unload boats near slippery rocks. The work requires physical fitness and a willingness to be isolated.
There is no running water at the station: drinking water is delivered by ship, so staff are usually only able to have a shower once a week. You’ll have to live in a shared dormitory with bunk beds. The temperature inside is kept at around 14–15 degrees, whilst outside it ranges from minus five to plus five degrees.
Electricity is generated by solar panels, so you cannot use hairdryers or other energy-intensive appliances. There is no mobile network at the base, but satellite internet is available.
