Ready for a unique opportunity to elevate your career?

We now have openings for multi-skilled and experienced equipment operators with mechanical experience, surveyors, welders and more who can pivot to other roles as required.

Our Isaac Group team have spent the summer in Antarctica alongside Leighs Construction laying the groundwork for the new Scott Base Development, a new strategic hub for scientists from around the world.

The redevelopment is working to replace the base’s aging infrastructure with a safe, fit-for-purpose, and sustainable research facility that will support scientific research in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica for the next 50 years.

With sound methodology and all new machinery that underwent winterization testing before being shipped, you will accomplish amazing career milestones in this wilderness. Are you up for a challenge and want to work with others from around the globe and create a legacy?

These opportunities are not for the faint-hearted; you will be staying in one of the most isolated places in the world for up to 4.5 months, starting in October 2023. The remote nature of the work and the limited number of spaces available means you’ll need to be willing to step up wherever needed. You’ll need to be hardworking and adaptable, with great teamwork skills.

If you are experienced in earthworks and civil construction and motivated, this is an exciting opportunity very few get the opportunity to be a part of.

Register now at recruitment@isaac.co.nz

As a proud signatory of the Antarctic Treaty, New Zealand has national and international obligations in Antarctica to safeguard the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments.

Antarctica New Zealand works to develop and maintain high-quality environmental standards and procedures that minimise Aotearoa’s environmental footprint in Antarctica.

Rebuilding the base is no exception, with strict environmental guidelines followed every step of the way.

Setting up for the future

Scott Base is Aotearoa New Zealand’s home on the ice. The facility is the strategic hub for scientists from New Zealand and across the globe to carry out some of the most important research in the world.

The redevelopment of Scott Base will see the aging infrastructure replaced with a safe, fitfor-purpose, and sustainable research facility that will support New Zealand’s presence in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica going forward.

Continuously occupied since its establishment, the base has had numerous upgrades and additions. The last major infrastructure investments occurred in the 1980s and mid-1990s.

The new base will be powered by over 90 percent renewable energy, with the Ross Island wind farm to be replaced at the same time. A large battery energy storage system will also be installed and the high voltage network and fuel generators at Scott Base will be upgraded as part of the project.

The redevelopment will continue Aotearoa’s legacy on the icy continent and strengthen our ability to support world-leading research in one of the most remote places on the planet!

Consisting of three interconnected buildings that can accommodate up to 100 people, the new base will include an accommodation, dining and welfare building, a science and management building, and an engineering and storage building.

The base will remain the iconic kākāriki – green as a tribute to its not so distant past.

A Timaru build

Timaru’s PrimePort will be the new Scott Base’s first home, with construction set to begin later this year.

It will take three and half years to build, test and commission before the base is separated into eight modules, sealed, and shipped to Antarctica.

An ice-strengthened heavy module carrier will transport the new base 3720km across the Southern Ocean to the ice. The vessel is specifically designed to operate in remote and inaccessible areas, like Antarctica. Self-propelled modular transporters will move the new base onto the ship in Timaru and off again in Antarctica.

This is a once in a generation build happening under the watchful eye of South Canterbury. Whether you’re inspired to join the team building the base, or simply keen to watch the three green buildings being constructed on site, take a moment to remember why the new base is needed.

Hopefully it will inspire the next generation of Antarctic scientists. CT