by Ria Olivier | Sep 4, 2026 | Announcement, Antarctica, Jobs, Overwintering Team
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for a range of positions at SANAE IV, South Africa’s Antarctic research station. Successful candidates will become part of the overwintering team living and working at SANAE IV in Antarctica for approximately 14 months, from December 2026 to February 2028 as part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP)
Positions available: Applications are invited for the following positions: (Download advertisements click on position)
These are extraordinary employment opportunities, but working at SANAE IV requires resilience, adaptability and the ability to live and work effectively as part of a small, isolated team. Successful applicants will spend the full deployment period at SANAE IV, with no option to return to South Africa before February 2028. Team members must be physically fit, mentally resilient, self-sufficient and self-motivated. They must be prepared to work in extreme Antarctic conditions and may be required to work long hours or assist with duties outside their normal professional functions when operational circumstances require it. Short-listed candidates will undergo screening and security vetting. Appointment is also subject to a rigorous medical examination and psychometric assessment, arranged at no cost to applicants.
Applications must be submitted online through the DFFE e-Recruitment system.
Closing date: 14 September 2026 at 16:00
No late applications will be accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full advertisement for the relevant position before submitting an application and to ensure that they meet all qualification, experience and other requirements. The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
Enquiries:
Mr Willem Boshoff (Tel: 021 493 4293) and Mr Rodgerson Hlophe (021 493 7379)
Please note: SANAP shares these opportunities for information. Recruitment and appointments are administered by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
by Ria Olivier | Jan 30, 2026 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member
Applications are still open for the following positions on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2026 to May 2027)
Communications Engineer Diesel Mechanic Electrical Engineer Medical Orderly
Closing Date: 09 February 2026
The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements. The successful applicant will spend a full year (April 2026 to May 2027) at Marion Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2027. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is well-equipped with e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 2, 2025 | Antarctica, Engineering, Jobs, Research, SANAE, Science
Programme: Space Science: Volunteer
This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a scientific and/or engineering background, who are eager for an extraordinary experience in a remote Antarctic environment. We are currently assembling a team to participate in the annual relief expedition to SANAE IV, Antarctica. The SANAE IV station in Antarctica lies at 71°S, 2°W – 4280 km from East Pier in Cape Town Harbour. (Photo above taken in 2022 during the annual relief voyage)
Successful candidates will embark on the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel, for a voyage of approximately 14 days to Antarctica. Upon arrival, they will be stationed at the SANAE IV research base for the entire relief period. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the Group Leader/Senior Engineer, assisting with critical infrastructure maintenance, scientific instrument servicing, and logistical operations during the expedition.
Voyage Dates: 9 December 2025 – 9 February 2026 (TBC)
For more information: Click Here
by Ria Olivier | Sep 25, 2025 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member
The following positions are available on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2026 to May 2027)
Environmental Officer Assistant Environmental Officer
Communications Engineer Diesel Mechanic Electrical Engineer Medical Orderly
Senior Meteorological Technician Assistant Meteorological Technician
Closing Date: 06 OCTOBER
The incumbent will execute duties at a Sub/Antarctic Base and adhere to the health, safety and environmental requirements. The successful applicant will spend a full year (April 2026 to May 2027) at Marion Island. There is no option to return to South Africa before May 2027. The ability to work and live with small groups of people is thus essential. Although the base is well-equipped with e-mail, fax and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated.
Click here: View all positions
by Ria Olivier | Aug 12, 2025 | Announcement, Ecology, Environment, Invasion Biology, Jobs, Marion Island, Mice Eradication, Microbiology, Research
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island at Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria. (image: Otto Whitehead)
An exciting postdoctoral fellowship is offered on our South African National Antarctic Programme project “Towards a comprehensive understanding of impacts of the invasive house mouse on the terrestrial biodiversity of Marion Island”. Sub-Antarctic Marion Island is one of the most isolated landmasses globally. The house mouse invaded the island in the early 1800s, and its impacts are manifold, and intensifying under climate change. This project aims to fill gaps in understanding mouse impacts on the island, with the purpose of informing the planned mouse eradication. This position will provide exciting opportunities to work on excellent long-term and/or spatially well-sampled datasets and inform island management.
Full Details and Advertisement
Additionally, opportunities to collaborate locally and internationally exist within this project. We are looking for a candidate with expertise in one or several of the following, or related fields: community ecology, isotope ecology, entomology, botany, trait ecology; or with an ability to learn the necessary skills. Their primary responsibility will be conducting and leading research into one or several of these themes. Opportunities for student supervision and teaching also exist.
Closing Date : 29 August 2025
by Ria Olivier | Aug 5, 2025 | Jobs, Marion Island, Ornithology, Overwintering Team, Uncategorised
Now Recruiting: Field Birder Assistants for Marion Island 2026–2027!
Do you dream of working with seabirds in one of the most remote and ecologically important locations on Earth? The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) is calling for two passionate and resilient individuals to join a pioneering research expedition to Marion Island as Field Birder Assistants for the 2026–2027 overwintering team.
ADVERTISEMENT
Successful candidates will spend over a year (April 2026 – May 2027) stationed on Marion Island, a sub-Antarctic territory and vital breeding ground for seabirds and marine mammals. This unique opportunity offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to contribute to long-term conservation efforts and seabird monitoring in a truly wild and isolated environment.
CLOSING DATE 25 AUGUST 2025
As a Field Birder Assistant, your role will include:
-
Conducting biological research, fieldwork, and monitoring activities in line with detailed work plans developed by the project managers.
-
Making independent decisions in the field regarding work priorities and protocols, often in challenging and unpredictable conditions.
-
Handling seabirds, including both adults and chicks, with empathy, care, and attention to minimizing stress or harm to the animals.
-
Maintaining accurate records and databases, ensuring all data is well-organized and up to date.
-
Reporting regularly to project managers and providing progress updates on fieldwork and research activities.
Applications are still open for the following positions on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2026 to May 2027)
Programme: Space Science: Volunteer 
This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a scientific and/or engineering background, who are eager for an extraordinary experience in a remote Antarctic environment. We are currently assembling a team to participate in the annual relief expedition to SANAE IV, Antarctica. The SANAE IV station in Antarctica lies at 71°S, 2°W – 4280 km from East Pier in Cape Town Harbour. (Photo above taken in 2022 during the annual relief voyage)
Successful candidates will embark on the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel, for a voyage of approximately 14 days to Antarctica. Upon arrival, they will be stationed at the SANAE IV research base for the entire relief period. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the Group Leader/Senior Engineer, assisting with critical infrastructure maintenance, scientific instrument servicing, and logistical operations during the expedition.
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island at Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria. (image: Otto Whitehead)
