Description
Antarctic Field Biologist Position
Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program
Location: San Diego / La Jolla, CA
Potential Opportunities: There are currently no open positions. However, in anticipation of positions becoming available during 2026, the in the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (AMLR) is accumulating a list of well-qualified candidates. When available, field biological technician positions within AMLR present a challenging but rewarding opportunity to participate in a 30+ year research program focused on interactions between the environment, Antarctic krill and fish, predators that depend on krill and fish for food, and commercial fisheries.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Annually, between approximately April and November, provide pre-season logistics and support for Antarctic field studies. Requirements include, but are not limited to:
coordinating with division staff to:
research, purchase, track, inventory and pack science equipment and supplies for
field camps;
planning, scheduling, inventorying, packing and tracking international shipments of gear;
operating, maintaining, and servicing Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) in support of
pinniped and seabird research programs; maintaining FAA, and manufacturer-
recommended training and certifications;
inventory, organize, ship and track UAS systems; and
completing required training, including wilderness advanced first aid or first responder,
and others as required; and
supporting pinniped and seabird research programs by conducting, for example, photo
and video annotations, laboratory analyses, data management, and other research tasks as
directed.
Annually between approximately mid-November through mid-March, provide in-season support for logistics and Antarctic field studies. Requirements include, but are not limited to:
participating actively in a remote research team with 4-8 members;
supporting logistical operations during all port calls for the duration of the port call;
supporting logistical operations to transport equipment, supplies, and personnel between
various vessels and AMLR field camps in Antarctica;
conducting camp maintenance and improvement of infrastructure including construction
projects using basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills;
providing care and maintenance of research equipment;
sharing cooking, cleaning, and similar duties;
lifting up to 50 lbs. repeatedly and unassisted;
working in a variety of outdoor weather conditions in remote locations, standing for long
periods of time outdoors, and walking long distances while carrying equipment over
difficult terrain;
climbing ladders and embarking(disembarking) small boats from the sides of larger ships;
paddling canoes and riding on ships for extended periods of time (over 1 month), and
flying on fixed wing aircraft and helicopters;
living in remote field camps (for periods of up to 4 months from approximately
November to March) where conditions are primitive with limited privacy and limited
communications home;
maintaining basic first aid knowledge;
supporting pinniped, and seabird research programs including, conducting supervised
research by assisting the Pinniped, Seabird, and other Principal Investigators, as
directed, to:
collect and analyze standardized data related to krill predator reproduction,
foraging ecology, growth, abundance, distribution, survival and diet;
assist with animal capture, handling, attachment and recovery of scientific
equipment;
collection and processing of fecal and other tissue samples;
enter data promptly and properly into designated databases;
assist in keeping a catalog and inventory of all samples collected, and a
continuous tally of all permitted captures, takes, and procedures; and
assist in the maintenance, testing, deployment and recovery of autonomous
oceanographic equipment including gliders and buoys;
perform other duties as assigned.
Next Steps: To express your interest in a future field biology position with AMLR, please submit a resume/CV and a statement of interest/cover letter highlighting what skills and experience you could bring to the position to Antarctic Field Personnel (Antarctic.Field@gmail.com). Please send any questions you have to Antarctic.Field@gmail.com. Please express interest at your soonest convenience as the application deadline may be subject to change.
Requirements
Desired Qualifications: We are seeking positive, energetic, resilient, individuals with strong organizational aptitude, excellent written and verbal communications skills, the ability to work as adaptable members of a team, and a keen interest in gaining unique experience, knowledge, and insights to help advance their professional and personal development.
We are also looking for candidates with field data collection and wildlife handling experience to support scientific research for the AMLR Program including being assigned to work at a remote Antarctic field site from mid-November through March each year. A bachelor degree or higher in wildlife biology or ecology is preferred.
Additionally, due to the extreme environment, the limited medical facilities available in transit and at our field site, and the limited medical expertise of individuals in the field team, participation in annual field work is contingent upon obtaining a medical clearance for deployment.
