This is one of the wildest job ads I’ve seen, and unlike Shackleton’s legendary unhinged ad, is definitely real
#astrodon

https://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=179408571&utm_source=04_05_26&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=JobAgentEmail

@stephenserjeant I’d like to pretend I could do that… sounds awesome
@stephenserjeant This is sort of like that job of hotel caretaker in the middle of nowhere throughout the winter...
@stephenserjeant It is at least reasonably clear, though I was slightly surprised at the mention of diversity, combined with the ability to meet US Visa requirements, but I’m guessing that’s Minnesota taking no shit.
@stephenserjeant sounds like the backstory for Andy Weir's next book.

@stephenserjeant

"...and 50-person years of effort by a collaboration of more than 30 people. "

That's roughly eighteen months....

@stephenserjeant They're looking for a very stable genius. Aren't we all?
@stephenserjeant the worst part is probably coming back ...
@stephenserjeant I was a winter-over IT and comms engineer on a British station in 2006. It’s definitely a job where good previous mental health is important, as the darkness makes you gloomy and crabby.
@stephenserjeant I've seen "The Thing", and it didn't end well.
@stephenserjeant At least it's a well coherent job. I've seen wilder requirements in the software to hardware range.
@stephenserjeant The job must certainly be a joke. The job is for 1 year, begins in Nov 26, but you do not leave until Feb 27. Medical and dental benefits, but where can they be used?

@stephenserjeant

@kevzag had this position but I think for South Pole Telescope instead of BICEP. He posted on Mastodon during his year there, so he could say more.

For the non physicist/astronomers out there: note that you aren’t there by yourself :) There are usually 40-50 others wintering over at South Pole station too.

Ernest Shackleton's Famous Job Ad, 'Men Wanted for Hazardous Journey,' Is Probably a Myth

Citizen historians have spent decades searching for the original text of Shackleton’s advertisement. Now, some say it might never have existed

Smithsonian Magazine