Applications have opened to join the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) team in the 2017/18 season and this year they are particularly encouraging women to apply.

“We’re looking to encourage women to apply because we know our female participation rate on station is relatively low across a number of roles and we’re trying to increase the number of women who apply to try and better reflect normal society on our stations in terms of gender participation rates,” AAD human resources manager Andrew Groom said.

AAD Davis Station supply officer Jen Proudfoot is in the middle of her first season on the frozen continent.

“I came down here mid-winter and I’ve been extended on for a summer so I’m just doing the 14 month stint,” she said.

She is already planning to come back for another season.

“Since the applications have opened I’ve already started my application to reapply for another season, I would definitely like to get to another station or even get to Macquarie Island,” Ms Proudfoot said.

“I’ll continue to reapply and keep coming down because there’s always more to do, with different projects going on that will be interesting in the future.”

Ms Proudfoot said she hasn’t really noticed the gender imbalance.

“We’re all pretty much one team down here it’s a real community so it doesn’t impact, you’re living together, you’re working together, you become a bit of a family,” she said.

There are more than 100 positions that need filling across the AAD’s four research stations in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island.

For Ms Proudfoot, the highlight of her experience has been the wildlife.

Her advice for women wondering about applying is, “Just to go for it, it’s a really unique experience ... you could be working in your office and you walk outside and you realise that there’s icebergs everywhere and you sort of need to take a step back and reflect on where you are and just how amazing it is, it’s a really good experience and opportunity.

“I’d encourage anyone to at least try for a season and see how they like it even if they don’t particularly like the cold, it’s more than that.”

There are positions available in a range of trades for periods lasting six to 15 months. The division provides preparation and training for the icy continent before departure.

“Living and working in Antarctica is the experience of a lifetime and many of our Antarctic expeditioners find it such a special experience that they return time and time again,” Mr Groom said. 

To find out what positions are available and to apply visit the Australian Antarctic Division website.