Shift work in Antarctica: how to get a job, vacancies and real conditions

Antarctica is the last undeveloped continent on the planet, where even a temporary job becomes an adventure of a lifetime. The shift method here is not just a way to earn money, but a unique chance to join the team of researchers, engineers and specialists who provide work Russian Antarctic stations all year round. In 2026, the demand for personnel remains high: from a cook to a meteorologist, from a diesel engine operator to an IT specialist.

But before you send your resume, it’s worth understanding: working in Antarctica is not only about the romance of white landscapes and northern lights. This 12–18 months in isolation, extreme frosts down to −80°C, polar night and strict selection of candidates. But those who pass the test receive not only high salaries (from 150,000 to 500,000 ₽ per month), but also benefits, including early retirement, travel reimbursement and unique experience. In this article, we’ll look at how to actually get a job on a shift, what vacancies are in demand, and what awaits you on the icy continent.

Who can work in Antarctica: requirements for candidates

The competition for rotational positions reaches 10–15 people per positionTherefore, strict requirements are imposed on applicants. Main employer - Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), which oversees all Russian stations. Also, vacancies are published by contracting organizations, for example, "Polar marine geological exploration expedition" or "Rosgeologia".

General selection criteria:

• 📄 Citizenship of the Russian Federation (exceptions are rare and only for highly qualified foreigners).
• 🩺 Lack of chronic diseases (pass medical commission on an extended list, including psychological testing).
• 🛠️ Minimum of 3 years of experience in the specialty (for technical professions - required!).
• 🧊 Preparedness for long-term isolation and extreme climatic conditions.

Particular attention is paid psychological stability. Polar explorers live in a closed community; conflicts are unacceptable here. At the interview stage, they check how the candidate reacts to stress, whether he can work in a team and solve problems autonomously. For example, at the station "East" winterers do not see the sun for months - not everyone can withstand this.

⚠️ Attention: If you have contraindications for working in the Far North (for example, cardiovascular diseases or mental disorders), your chances of being selected are close to zero. The list of diseases that exclude participation is published by the Ministry of Health - it can be found on the AARI website.

Current vacancies and salaries in 2026

The list of in-demand professions is updated annually, but there are specialties constantly in short supply, which are easier to get a job. Below is a table with current vacancies and pay levels (data from the AARI and polar explorer reports for 2023–2026).

Salaries are indicated before taxes (in Antarctica it operates 13% personal income tax, but there are benefits for polar explorers). In addition to salary, employees receive:

• 💰 Polar surcharges (up to 100% of salary for work in extreme conditions).
• ✈️ Compensation for travel to the point of departure (usually St. Petersburg or Kronstadt).
• 📅 Early retirement (1 month of shift = 2 months of experience).

How to get a job: step-by-step instructions

The employment process takes from 3 to 6 months. Here algorithm of actions, which will help you not to miss important details:

1. Explore vacancies on official resources:
   • 🔹 Website AARI (section "Vacancies").
   • 🔹 Portal Rosgeologiya.
   • 🔹 Groups in VK and Telegram (for example, “Work in Antarctica and the Arctic”).

1. Паспорт + копии всех страниц
2. Диплом об образовании (с приложением)
3. Трудовая книжка или выписка из ПФР
4. Медицинская книжка (форма 086/у)
5. Справка об отсутствии судимости

After signing the contract, a preparatory stage: they will issue equipment, conduct safety briefings and organize the flight. Usually polar explorers fly from St. Petersburg to Cape Town (South Africa), and from there to the station by icebreaker or plane IL-76.

Living conditions at Antarctic stations

Life at the station is combination of everyday asceticism and high technology. On the one hand, you have to live in cramped quarters with limited access to fresh food and the Internet. On the other hand, the stations are equipped with modern equipment, there are gyms, libraries and even saunas (on "Progress" And "Novolazarevskaya").

Typical life of a polar explorer:

• 🏠 Housing: 2–4 people per room (per "East" - up to 6 people due to limited space). The bunks are two-tier, personal belongings are stored in drawers under the bed.
• 🍽️ Food: 4 meals a day, the diet is designed for high energy consumption. Meat and vegetables are mostly canned; fresh products are delivered once every few months.
• 📡 Communication: Internet via satellite (speed up to 512 Kbps, restrictions on torrents and streaming). Calls to family are on schedule.
• 🧘 Leisure: Cinema, board games, gym. On "Bellingshausen" there is even a small heated pool.

The hardest part is polar night, which lasts up to 4 months (at "East"). At this time there is no sun at all, which affects the psyche. To cope, polar explorers use fluorescent lamps, vitamin D and a strict daily routine.

⚠️ Attention: At the station "East" (the harshest in Antarctica), temperatures in winter drop to −80°C, and atmospheric pressure is equivalent to an altitude of 3,500 m above sea level. Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited here - this is strictly controlled.

Dangers and risks: what should you be afraid of?

Antarctica is one of the most dangerous places on Earth. Here no ambulance, and evacuation in the event of severe illness or injury can take weeks. Main risks:

1. Frostbite and hypothermia:

   At −60°C, exposed skin becomes frozen within 1–2 minutes. Even a short exit without protection is fraught with serious consequences. The following rules apply at stations: never go out alone.

2. Psychological problems:

   Depression, conflicts in the team, insomnia are common phenomena. There is a psychologist at each station, but his capabilities are limited.

3. Technical accidents:

   Failure of diesel generators, fires, fuel leaks - all this can lead to evacuation. For example, in 2020 at the station "Progress" a fire occurred and some of the personnel had to be urgently removed.

4. Medical emergencies:

   Operations at the station are carried out only in extreme cases. Complex cases (appendicitis, heart attack) require evacuation to South Africa or Chile.

To minimize risks, all polar explorers undergo compulsory training before departure, including:

• 🔥 Fire safety courses.
• ❄️ Survival training in extreme conditions.
• 🏥 Basic medical training (suturing, intensive care).

Reviews from polar explorers: pros and cons of work

We have collected real stories of those who were on duty in Antarctica. Here's what they say:

Pros:

• 💰 "Salaries are 3 times higher than in Russia" — Alexey, diesel engineer, Progress station.
• 🌍 “I saw places where no tourist had gone before” — Maria, meteorologist, Novolazarevskaya station.
• 🎓 "Early retirement is the main bonus" — Sergey, system administrator, Bellingshausen station.
• 🤝 "The team becomes a family" — Olga, cook, Mirny station.

Cons:

• 😨 "The first 2 months are adaptation to the cold and isolation. Some people break down" - Ivan, doctor.
• 📵 "The Internet goes down for 3-4 days due to storms" — Dmitry, signalman.
• 🍲 "The food is monotonous, there is not enough fresh fruit" — Elena, assistant cook.

Many note that after Antarctica changing attitude towards life. The experience of a polar explorer is valued by employers, and the very fact of working at a station adds weight to a resume.

Frequently asked questions about working in Antarctica