The Antarctic: very cool. Photo: Eli Duke CC-BY-SA-2.0

Wanted: unflappable expert mountaineers who are practical and organised.

Reward: up to 18 months in a working environment that may reach -60C and be buffeted by 100-knot winds. Many opportunities to enjoy abundant wildlife; nightlife not so good. Salary: £23,700.

Interested? The British Antarctic Survey is looking for field assistants to guide and lead scientists around its five research stations which are the bases for Britain’s work in the coldest, stormiest and driest continent on earth, much of which is covered by an ice sheet up to 4km (2½ miles) thick in places.

The jobs entail conducting research parties safely in the polar environment, both on the ice shelves and glaciated mountains.

Excellent mountaineering skills are necessary, and MIA or MIC qualifications desirable. Campsite management, radio communications experience and the ability to keep snowmobiles running are also essential to the job.

Physical fitness and medical soundness to work in Antarctic conditions are obvious prerequisites.

And if the Antarctic environment isn’t hazardous enough, two of the BAS bases are on South Georgia, the first British territory to be invaded by Argentina at the start of the 1982 Falklands War.

Details of the job are on the British Antarctic Survey website. Deadline for applications is 16 May this year. Interviews are likely to be held in late June.