Antarctic network caretakers in demand

IT workers kept on ice.

Wanted: tech gurus for remote scientific expedition. Must have sense of adventure, want to heal the planet and able to cope with harsh conditions. Toiletries provided.

The Australian Antarctic Division was a week away from closing applications for people to run its telecommunications and IT networks next year.

A supervising communications technical officer with a base salary of $72,726 before tax and an allowance of $49,014 was the highest paid of the three roles. The Government paid superannuation of 15.4 percent.

The role included transport between Antarctica and Tasmania and accommodation in Hobart,  transport of a cubic metre of personal items (about 250 kilograms), accommodation, clothing and sundries on station.

"Whilst on station, expeditioners are fully maintained, however expeditioners often choose to take some preferred ‘special' toiletry items," the division said.

It was also seeking a communications technical officer and communications operator.

Its telecommunications network is described as "extremely diverse" and includes "satellite systems, HF and VHF radio systems, computer networks and telephone systems".

"Telecommunications personnel run experiments, maintain telecommunications equipment and conduct radio operations," the division said.

Projects included telecommunications support for "intercontinental and intracontinental air transport" and "telecommunications support to remote deep-field parties". Expeditioners may expore Antarctica or participate in scientific expeditions "subject to work commitments".

The job ad stressed that "working in Antarctica is not for everybody". In particular, the daily temperatures at research stations was between -1 and -3 degrees in summer.

Winter temperatures averaged -20 to -30 degrees, according to general information descriptions [PDF].

Applications close on Monday.