McMurdo Seasonal Instrument Technician

from approximately October to February (Austral Summer). While deployed, the standard work schedule for this position is 54 hours per week. The candidate in the position must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. Failure to meet these requirements may 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 start date. This process could take up to 4 months.

The anticipated pay range for this role is $94,000 - $100,000 annually with a percentage increase during deployment.

Your greatest work is ahead!

About the Antarctic Support Contract:

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF's Office of Polar Program's Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics by aligning with their Mission and Vision Statements:

• Vision: Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness.

• Mission: To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

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 .

Are you ready to join a team dedicated to a mission? Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career, share your resume with us today!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assists in review of research requirements, planning, and scheduling of laboratory support for science projects.

• Assists in researching, evaluating, justifying, and procuring laboratory and field instruments and equipment.

• Assists in maintaining appropriate and accurate inventories of spare parts.

• Installs new and stored lab instruments.

• Checks functioning and calibration of all instruments before and after grantee use.

• Troubleshoots all instruments and equipment as needed.

• Provides emergency repairs for all laboratory instruments as needed.

• Performs calibrations; writes, updates, and performs preventative maintenance.

• Maintains instrument maintenance/repair history files and calibration certificates.

• Packages and tracks capital equipment and instruments for recalibration, repair, replacement, winter storage, and/or transfer to research vessels as needed.

• Assures all instrument-related entries in the inventory, equipment, and preventative maintenance databases are kept current.

• Briefs grantees/scientists on safe laboratory practices, and care/maintenance of USAP-owned instrumentation.

• Provides input to the S&TPS McMurdo Implementation Manager on suggested improvements to the laboratories and the associated systems that would enhance their use as research facilities.

• Assists in scheduling and coordinating the fabrication of equipment and other support requests made by science projects.

• Assists the S&TPS Hazardous Chemicals Manager, as needed, in providing cryogens, monitoring the safe use of cryogens, and monitoring the cryogenic supplies inventory.

• Assists the S&TPS Laboratory Supervisor, as needed, with Laboratory Assistant tasking (facility management and logistical/technical tasking) in support of deployed science teams.

• Monitoring the Duty Pager and being on-call 24/7 for alarms or issues approximately one week of every month.

• Conducts briefings on research and tours of the laboratory facilities for distinguished visitors.

• Handles confidential matters (personnel actions, management reports, etc.) in accordance with management policy.

• Interacts with the National Science Foundation, military, and other agency officials, both over the telephone and in person, in a professional and tactful manner.

• Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace program and ensuring safety is the highest priority in the work place.

• Performs other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least four (4+) years' relevant experience or a Master's degree and at least 2 years' relevant experience.

• A successful candidate must demonstrate organizational and interpersonal skills and be self-motivated to identify and carry out projects and requests on their own.

• Good verbal communication skills, computer literacy, and problem-solving skills are required.

• Experience in a research environment providing direct support to science events/projects required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of laboratory or observatory technical work experience. Laboratory or observatory technical work should include operational experience utilizing analytical equipment.

• Previous experience working in Antarctica or another remote research station is desired.

• Comfortable with public speaking.

At Leidos, we don't want someone who "fits the mold"-we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, "what's next?" before the dust settles on "what's now."

If you're already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2... good. You'll fit right in.

Original Posting:
August 28, 2025

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:
Pay Range $85,150.00 - $153,925.00

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.