Antarctica: Port Lockroy General Assistant 2026/27

We are looking for committed individuals to make up a team that will spend up to five months (November to March) living and working at Port Lockroy in Antarctica. This will include welcoming up to 10,000 cruise ship visitors to the island, running the charity gift shop, a British Antarctic Territory Post Office, fundraising, creating media content, annual maintenance and upkeep of the historic buildings and artefacts, wildlife observations and many other varied and challenging tasks.

We are particularly looking for people with experience and skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Living and working in remote locations within a small team.
• Customer service roles: in particular, within the travel industry (guiding, leading groups etc.)
• Working in retail, museums, fundraising, visitor sites etc.
• Practical experience of living and working in basic conditions.

UKAHT is committed to equal opportunities and to learning how to increase the diversity of our people. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and encourage applications from people currently under‑represented in the polar regions.

Application deadline: 15 March 2026

ABOUT PORT LOCKROY

Port Lockroy, Base ‘A’, is a British historic base situated on tiny Goudier Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula. It is our flagship historic site receiving around 10,000 visitors each season; one of the most popular sites in Antarctica. It is also our primary source of income and supporters. Base ‘A’ was established in 1944 and operated as a British research station, initially under Operation Tabarin and later by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS) until it was closed in 1962. The abandoned base was recognised for its historical importance and contribution to British science and given the status of Historic Site and Monument (HSM) No. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty. In 1996, Port Lockroy was restored as a ‘living museum’ and since then has operated during the Austral summer as a visitor site welcoming those who travel to Antarctica on expedition vessels and yachts. Port Lockroy has been under the care and management of UKAHT since 2006.

LIVING CONDITIONS AT PORT LOCKROY, ANTARCTICA

Staff accommodation is basic but comfortable, and we aim for our staff to live as sustainably as possible. Staff quarters are a purpose‑built Nissen hut which is a reconstruction of the historic Nissen hut and is in keeping with the aesthetics of the other historic buildings on the island. Staff share one bedroom (hostel style bunkroom) with access to a kitchen/living/communications area, a separate boot room and washroom.

Water is collected in jerry cans from visiting ships. There are no shower facilities at Port Lockroy, so staff are expected to be comfortable living with these limited washing facilities, yet still keeping hygiene levels high. Visiting ships will offer showers approximately once per week, but when weather conditions are poor you could go up to two weeks without visitors or a shower. There is no flushing toilet at Port Lockroy. There is a basic camping toilet which is emptied daily by the team on base.

There is a gas cooker and heater in the main kitchen/living area. All staff share the cooking duties at Port Lockroy and take it in turns to make meals for the team on a rota system. Food is shipped from the UK and consists of a wide variety of dried and tinned foods, occasionally supplemented by fresh food donated from visiting ships. Port Lockroy is a vegetarian base, but other dietary requirements, food allergies and/or intolerances are extremely difficult to accommodate.

Power is limited at Port Lockroy. The base is run entirely on solar power, with a back‑up generator for emergencies. Hair dryers, electric kettles, microwaves etc. cannot be used. There is sufficient power to charge camera batteries and electric toothbrushes.

Communication is primarily via Starlink satellite internet. This is used to keep in touch with the UKAHT Operations team and coordinate ship visits and logistics onsite. It can be used for personal communications and Starlink does support WhatsApp calls, but on a limited basis. There is no mobile phone reception at Port Lockroy. We have satellite telephones for emergency communications as well as VHF radio for comms on the island and with visiting ships and yachts.

Temperatures will vary between – 5°C to +5°C. Most days will be just a few degrees above zero, but overcast days and wind‑chill will make it feel colder. It is also very wet, the conditions are similar to the Scottish Highlands in winter. We will provide warm and waterproof clothing and footwear for your time at Port Lockroy which you will be expected to supplement with other layers.

The successful candidates will need to be physically and medically capable of working in challenging conditions in Antarctica. There is a lot of physical work at Port Lockroy and all team members are expected to contribute equally, regardless of age or gender. This includes carrying 20 litre jerry cans of water, lifting and carrying 15kg boxes, digging a LOT of snow every day, cutting steps in snow/ice for safe visitor landings, unloading boats and cargo on slippery rocks.

There is no doctor stationed at Port Lockroy and the nearest hospital is in Ushuaia, Argentina. We stock a good supply of emergency equipment and our staff are given extensive remote first aid training. We have a 24 hour remote medical consultation service that can be contacted for both emergencies and routine medical concerns. In a medical emergency evacuation to a hospital could take up to 7 days.

All Antarctic team members will be required to complete a confidential medical questionnaire which will be sent to our Occupational Health expert for assessment and review. Undergo a thorough medical and dental assessment signed off by your GP.

Your safety is our first priority and Port Lockroy is in a remote and potentially dangerous place. We are unable to permit any adventurous recreational activity eg. skiing, watersports, glacier walking etc. Port Lockroy is situated on Goudier Island, which is the size of a football pitch and surrounded by sea.

UKAHT operates a no smoking policy which extends to all our heritage sites in Antarctica. Smoking is categorically prohibited on the island for protection of the historic buildings and wildlife.

Although Port Lockroy is an extremely isolated location, the base welcomes hundreds of visitors each day, nearly every day of the season. The team onsite are representing the charity and delivering excellent customer service from 9am – 6pm (they get one day off every two weeks), so it is not the peaceful retreat from the outside world that you might expect.

You will be part of a small core team of 4‑5 people, including a Base Leader and Shop Manager. Candidates with the potential to be considered as Base Leader and Shop Manager will be selected from the General Assistant applicants. If you would like to be considered for these roles, please highlight any retail or leadership experience in your application.

Each team member will be assigned an additional responsibility; for wildlife, the museum or Post Office. Regardless of their responsibilities, each team member is expected to contribute equally to the running of the base.

THE ROLE

Job Role: Work as part of a team to deliver the seasonal operation of Port Lockroy, Antarctica.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Port Lockroy Base Leader and UKAHT Operations team by taking part in the daily running of the busy Port Lockroy charity gift shop.
• Delivering regular lectures/presentations on the history of Port Lockroy and briefing talks to visiting vessels prior to them landing.
• Inspiring guests and asking for donations and charitable support.
• Creating engaging content for our communications and social media.
• Operation of the Post Office on behalf of the British Antarctic Territory Government (BAT).
• Regularly cleaning the museum, checking the displays and interpretive materials.
• Penguin, wildlife and environmental monitoring on behalf of British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
• Taking a proactive and equal part in all aspects of daily living on an Antarctic base.
• Managing day‑to‑day supplies (non‑merchandise) including controlling the stock of food, equipment, tools and inventories.
• Contributing to the annual maintenance works programme and assisting in maintenance tasks when requested.
• Promoting UKAHT through your daily dealings with visitors to Port Lockroy.
• Ensuring the reputation of UKAHT is always maintained and enhanced through our work.
• Adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures on base at all times, paying particular attention to health and safety.
• Working flexibly, contributing equally and supporting colleagues at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills - essential:

• Very good communication skills – verbal and written.
• Very good customer service skills.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Good IT skills: Office applications, Excel databases, basic photo editing.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Skills - desirable:

• Practical field skills for operating in remote or challenging environments.
• Public speaking or communicating to groups.
• Creating content for social media platforms.

Knowledge - essential:

• Knowledge and application of health and safety best practice.
• Use of IT for managing information, communications and reporting.
• Aware of the conditions and limitations of life and work at Port Lockroy.
• Environmental awareness and practical knowledge of minimal impact living.

Experience - essential:

• Experience of living away from home and family for an extended period.
• Experience of living with people that aren’t your immediate family/partner before.
• Experience of working within a close-knit team.

Behaviour - essential:

• A real people person with high levels of empathy and initiative, that thrives in a small team.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service and a genuine enthusiasm for meeting people.
• Flexible and adaptable attitude, ability to cope with the unexpected and constantly changing plans.
• Proactive and motivated, able to work without direct supervision.
• A strong work ethic, with a commitment to working long hours and getting the job done.

TERMS

UKAHT contract staff are employed on a self‑employed basis for a fixed‑term contract. Contractors are responsible for paying any tax or national insurance due via their own HMRC self‑assessed tax return.

Location: Port Lockroy, Antarctica (preparatory work outside of the season will also be required).

Salary: £1,449 – £2,096 per calendar month, depending on role.

Duration: Six month agreement to cover service in Antarctica, training and preparation pre‑Antarctic season, debrief post‑Antarctic season, outreach activities, ad‑hoc obligations between June 2026 and April 2027.

Expenses: All pre‑deployment travel (in the UK), training and accommodation needed as part of the role are covered by UKAHT. During Antarctic deployment all travel, food, accommodation and essential polar clothing are provided.

Dates you must be available: Online interview: dates TBC with candidates. Team selection residential, Northamptonshire: 11 – 13 May 2026. Meet the team training, Wales or Peak District (location TBC): 4 – 6 September 2026. Pre‑deployment training, Cambridge: 28 September – 9 October 2026. Service in Antarctica: Late October 2026 until end of March 2027.

Right to work in the UK: You must have the right to work in the UK. While applications from non‑UK nationals that meet the criteria above are encouraged, we can only accept applicants that reside in the UK.

To apply for a position at Port Lockroy: Please complete the application form that follows within the stated word limits. All candidates must upload a CV. Personal statements can either be written or sent in as a short (under one minute) video.