McMurdo Winter Research Associate

Leidos is seeking a McMurdo Winter Research Associate to support cutting-edge scientific research at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, during the austral winter.

Leidos ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines.  The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission.

To learn more about the Leidos Antarctic Support contract, click here.

• Deployment to Antarctica is required for this position. This is a seasonal role and is expected to be deployed for approximately 9 months, from early February through mid-October 2027.  Pre deployment training may be required.
• Selected hire must successfully complete the physical, dental and psychological examinations as required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. Failure to meet these requirements will result in withdrawal of employment offer or other employment action.
• Due to contract requirements, US Citizenship is required.
• Must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to starting date. This process could take up to 4 months.

THE ROLE

The McMurdo Winter Research Associate is a unique opportunity for a technically curious, hands-on professional who enjoys solving complex problems, working independently, and supporting science in one of the most extraordinary environments on Earth.

Working in support of National Science Foundation-funded research, you will help operate and maintain advanced scientific instrumentation used to study physical, atmospheric, geophysical, and astrophysical phenomena. You will collaborate with researchers, technical teams, and program staff to keep critical experiments and data-collection systems operating throughout the Antarctic winter. This is a seasonal position of approximately eight months, with deployment to McMurdo Station anticipated from early February through mid-October. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair a diverse range of scientific instrumentation, including UV spectroradiometers, GPS receivers, VLF radio receivers, seismometers, all-sky imagers, lasers, magnetometers, photometers, interferometers, antennas, and other optical and research systems.
• Support continuous scientific data collection by identifying and resolving equipment, computer, networking, and instrumentation issues.
• Collect, archive, validate, and transmit scientific data and equipment status information to researchers and project teams.
• Use digital and analog electronic test equipment to diagnose and repair scientific instruments, electronics, and computer hardware.
• Apply technical judgment, creativity, and resourcefulness to develop solutions when standard approaches are not sufficient.
• Administer and maintain computer-based data acquisition systems and associated hardware.
• Coordinate with IT teams on network connectivity, firewall access, IP addressing, computer configuration, and related technical requirements.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, project logbooks, maintenance records, correspondence, and standard operating procedures.
• Support equipment and instrument life-cycle planning, including inventory management, spare parts tracking, resupply planning, and replacement recommendations.
• Operate, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot antennas and antenna arrays, including coaxial cable systems and RF-related equipment.
• Work with other organizations to investigate and identify potential sources of radio-frequency interference.
• Support operations at the Arrival Heights Laboratory and associated facilities, including coordination of maintenance and repair needs.
• Conduct occasional research briefings and facility tours.
• Perform outdoor inspections and travel on foot to remote equipment and antenna locations.
• Support snow removal and other hands-on activities necessary to maintain access to scientific equipment and facilities.
• Participate in shared community responsibilities associated with living and working at an Antarctic research station.
• Perform other duties as required in support of program and research objectives.

WHAT SETS YOU APART

You are someone who is comfortable working independently, solving technical problems with limited onsite support, and adapting to changing conditions. You enjoy working across disciplines and can move comfortably between scientific instrumentation, electronics, computers, networking, and hands-on field work. You also understand that successful Antarctic operations require more than technical expertise. Strong communication, teamwork, flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to contribute to the broader station community are equally important.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree with 2–4 years of relevant experience, a Master’s degree with 1–2 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to apply technical principles, theories, and concepts within a relevant scientific, engineering, electronics, or technical discipline.
• U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain the required Public Trust clearance.
• Current, valid driver’s license.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage day-to-day technical responsibilities with limited direct supervision.
• Fluency with networking topics and file transfer tools required.
• Administrator ability for Macintosh and Linux/Unix platforms required. Unix system administration ability required.
• Demonstrated electronic and technical troubleshooting experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Experience working effectively with diverse teams in challenging or high-stress environments.
• Demonstrated conflict-resolution skills or related training.
• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing operational priorities.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in extremely cold, windy, snowy, and dark conditions.
• Comfort driving in dark, snowy, icy, and remote conditions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or higher in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Electrical, Aeronautical or other engineering discipline is preferred.
• A background in an academic research environment providing direct support to science projects is preferred.
• Experience in general computer repair including IBM-PC, Macintosh, and network equipment preferred.
• Experience with Python and SQL databases; RA should be able to write scripts for automation and reporting, including visualizations.
• Two years’ experience in laboratory or observatory technical work. Laboratory or observatory technical work should include operational experience utilizing experimental, physical, optical, or atmospheric science equipment. Experience handling cryogens preferred but not required.
• General electronic troubleshooting experience required, with a minimum of two years of experience in the use of multiple commercial software packages as well as DOS and Windows operating systems.
• Familiarity with legacy versions of Windows operating system, and experience with Macintosh and Linux/Unix platforms desired.

THE EXPERIENCE

This role offers the opportunity to support meaningful scientific research while living and working in one of the most remote environments in the world. Success requires technical breadth, independence, adaptability, and a genuine interest in supporting science where reliable systems and creative problem-solving matter every day.

*** PLEASE BE ADVISED that during the interview, you will be required to keep your camera on, and your interviewer will be taking your picture for identification purposes if an offer letter is extended to you. 

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.