The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is seeking a Conservation Carpenter to work at Base A, Port Lockroy, one of the historic sites we manage on the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer season (approximately 8 weeks during January–March 2026)

ABOUT THE UK ANTARCTIC HERITAGE TRUST

We are the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, the principal organization in the UK dedicated to advancing conservation, culture and education for heritage in Antarctica.

We aim to connect people with Antarctica's wonder and its stories of human endeavour to help promote a greater understanding of this extraordinary place and the role we all have in protecting it.

We help conserve Antarctic heritage by looking after six historic sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, delivering a range of vibrant and creative public programmes, and working with Antarctic policymakers on issues related to heritage conservation.

Through focusing on the layers of human history in Antarctica, we use their remarkable stories to explore Antarctica and why it matters to us all, helping current and future generations understand, value and protect this precious wilderness.

Building on our strengths, and learning from our experience, our ambition over the next decade is to: safeguard British heritage in Antarctica; engage a growing and increasingly diverse audience with this heritage and the broader questions concerning Antarctica and use our expertise and influence to help secure a sustainable future for this most remarkable place on our planet.

We are seeking a conservation carpenter to safeguard the future of the historic buildings by undertaking essential repair and maintenance work at Port Lockroy.

Deployment will be approximately 8 weeks, estimated between January 2026 – March 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed).

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 underrepresented in the Polar regions.

SCOPE OF WORK  

You will undertake a range of tasks relating to the upkeep and maintenance of the historic and modern buildings at Port Lockroy, including re-felting, timber repairs, painting, window enhancements/repairs, installation of interpretation, and any other tasks as required.

You will have on-site practical carpentry and conservation experience and, ideally, general builder skills.

You will also work as an integral part of the wider Port Lockroy team, who will be on site from November 2025 to March 2026. As part of the team, you will contribute towards the general daily running of the base, using a Rota system for daily domestic duties, such as cooking and waste management.

You will also be living and working in an wildlife rich environment (a penguin colony at Port Lockroy), and the need to be respectful of the wildlife is essential.

You will also contribute to the planning, execution, and reporting of the field season. This will include the preparation of procurement lists, the completion of method statements, attendance at planning meetings, and the write-up of all works undertaken. We estimate that the time commitment for these works will be in the region of three weeks.

In advance of deployment to Antarctica, you will be required to familiarise yourself with all the planning documentation and conservation guidance about the site and engage with the project team in the UK and overseas.

Please note that this position is subject to successfully passing a medical and dental assessment to ensure fitness to work in remote locations in Antarctica.

Key tasks include the following:

• Input into project work planning, task scheduling, and procurement.
• Attendance at pre-deployment training in Cambridge in 6th - 14th October 2025, including first aid, health & safety, asbestos non-licensed works.
• Completion of other online training modules as required, such as asbestos awareness, and working at height.
• Spend up to eight weeks away at Port Lockroy, including travel and work in Antarctica.
• Undertake maintenance tasks on historic structures.
• Undertake work in accordance with the guiding principles laid out in the Conservation Management Plan.
• Promote UKAHT to fellow cruise ship passengers during journey South.
• Help identify hazards on site and contribute to a safe working environment.
• Equipment and supplies audit and inventory, making necessary recommendations.
• Document in detail all work carried out using UKAHT procedures and proformas.
• Prepare recommendations for future works based on your observations at the site to guide future work planning and record keeping.
• Undertake general base duties in assisting the general running of the base and playing an active role in the relief of the base, domestic support, and general duties.
• Adhere to UKAHT’s waste management policy throughout the project and take an active role in sustainable waste management on site, with support from others (training will be provided).
• Contribute to the requirements within UKAHT's Communications Strategy e.g. blog writing, press interviews, photographic/video requests etc.
• To undertake other duties as required by the Chief Executive/Head of Buildings and Conservation.

EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrable carpentry experience, ideally with qualifications.
• Experience and expertise in working with historic buildings.
• Experience of living and working in small teams, ideally in remote locations.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent people and teamwork skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to conservation principles.
• Good report-writing and record-keeping skills.
• Confident using IT (including Microsoft Office, email, photograph management) and ability to learn new technical skills, such as VHF radio and satellite communications.

BEHAVIOUR & OTHER

• A good level of mental and physical fitness.
• A desire to learn and further develop conservation practice in Antarctica.
• Ability to work flexibly and improvise using a limited supply of tools and equipment.
• Ability to set and meet deadlines, and to deliver results under challenging work conditions.
• Have a positive attitude, enthusiasm and an exemplary team and work ethic.
• Comfortable living for long periods of time in basic conditions and contributing to the running of daily base life, including cooking and waste management.
• Ability to work under supervision and support UKAHT’s decision-making process.
• Possession of personal qualities required to fit in socially and professionally with a small team from different professional backgrounds, onsite and within UKAHT office.
• Be willing to adapt methodologies and schedules according to the needs of visitors and wildlife at site (full training on working in a penguin colony will be provided).

For further insight into this role, watch an interview with previous UKAHT heritage carpenters who discuss what it was like to repair, repaint and restore Damoy Hut to its original bright orange.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• UKAHT Head of Buildings and Conservation
• UKAHT Heritage Officer
• UKAHT Head of Operations
• UKAHT Operations Officer
• UKAHT Chief Executive
• UKAHT Staff team
• Port Lockroy team members, especially Base Leader
• Project consultants, including architects, conservators, collections management
• Project partners and stakeholders

 
TERMS

 Location:

Remote/ online (approx. 3 weeks, worked flexibly):

• Pre-deployment (April 2025-November 2025): project work planning, task scheduling, meetings, and procurement.

• Post-deployment (March 2026): report writing, meetings and a de-brief of the season (dates tbc).

Cambridge, UK: 

• Pre-deployment training 6th - 14th October 2025.

Antarctic Peninsula, during deployment (Jan-March 2026) - Base A, Port Lockroy, HSM No. 61, Goudier Island, western Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica (approx. 8 weeks, between January 2026 – March 2026, exact dates to be confirmed).

Team-building weekend for Antarctic Team, 15^th-17^th August 2025, expenses paid.

Working conditions:

Communications are limited. Plain text email will be available via a shared computer for limited time periods. Communication is primarily via Starlink. This allows for keeping in touch with UKAHT. This can be used for personal email and Starlink does support WhatsApp calls, but on a limited basis. Starlink allows for limited internet access at Port Lockroy, and no mobile phone reception.

We have satellite telephones, chiefly for emergency use or scheduled communication with the UKAHT. Its main purpose is for safety. There is limited access to these for personal use.

Accommodation is in a 6-person bunk room, shared with the Port Lockroy team. There is no running water, but there is electricity, a gas cooker and heater. 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 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.

We have no running water and no flushing toilet on the island, so washing facilities are very basic. There will be opportunities throughout the season to go onboard cruise ships for showers and, sometimes, Wi-Fi connectivity onboard. Power is also limited at Port Lockroy. The base is run entirely on solar power, with a back-up petrol generator for emergencies.

Carpenters may choose to take their own basic tool kit, though all essential tools will be provided by UKAHT.

Smoking 

UKAHT operates a no smoking policy which extends to all our heritage sites in Antarctica. Smoking (traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and any other form of inhalation/vapours) is categorically prohibited in all areas on the island for protection of the historic buildings and wildlife.

Fees and expenses:

£40,000 pro rata, per annum (overall estimated time 14 weeks).

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.

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.

Time commitment:

As well as time spent on site, you will be expected to contribute to the planning, preparation, and write-up of the project. Pre- and post-season work can be carried out remotely and will be in collaboration with the wider team. Candidates must be available to attend the mandatory team training in Cambridge in person in October and for the full duration of the field season.

(NB these dates may be subject to amendment)

Online interview: Friday 4^th April, Monday 7^th April or Tuesday 8^th April 2025, by arrangement.

Preparation for field season: including procurement, project work planning, meetings: April 2025 – November 2025 (around 3 weeks)

Meet the team: training 15th -17th August 2025

Pre-deployment training: In Cambridge, 6th - 14th October 2025 (team training and first aid course)

Deployment in Antarctica: January 2026 - March 2026 (approximately) – Antarctica travel period (expect around 8 weeks)

Debrief/Reporting: March/April 2026 – (2 days) and report write-up (5 days).

How to apply

Our recruitment and selection process aims to select the applicant whose skills, knowledge, and experience best match those set out in the person specification, and whose attitude and character fit within the wider Antarctic team and our organisational culture.

To apply for this post, please provide:

A portfolio of three relevant projects, ideally one where you were the lead. Please explain your role, your approach, and your recording of the work. Provide images of work where available.

A cover letter detailing why you want to work for UKAHT, and how your experience qualifies you for this role OR a video explaining the same (max 3 minutes).

A CV can also be provided but is not essential.

Deadline for applications in 24^th March 2025.

Interviews will be held online: Friday 4^th April, Monday 7^th April or Tuesday 8^th April 2025, by arrangement.

Any queries about the role may be directed to Ruth Mullett, Head of Buildings and Conservation (Ruth.Mullett@ukaht.org).