The isolated Antarctic base that hit the headlines after a research team member was accused of assaulting a colleague is hiring.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is looking to fill two engineering roles at its Sanae IV Antarctic base, job listings show.
The Context
The world has been watching what was has been described as a “horror movie…playing out” by South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, which broke the story.
An overwintering team member emailed the South African government accusing one of their colleagues of physical assault, sexual harassment and making death threats.
“His behavior has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence,” the email said, according to the Sunday Times. “It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees.”
“I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim,” they said.
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has been investigating since last month but on Tuesday the country’s Environment Minister Dion George said there were no plans to rescue the researchers at the base.
He confirmed that an assault had taken place, after a verbal altercation, but told The New York Times the accused had “written a formal apology,” “shown remorse” and had cooperated with a psychological evaluation.
What To Know
There are several job vacancies at Sanae IV, including two electronics engineer posts, shared on SANSA’s website on March 17.
Among the requirements, which include a bachelor’s degree in electronics or electrical engineering and experience with programming, those who want the job “must be able to work independently with minimal support under extreme pressure and without supervision,” the advert says.
“Background verification, including criminal record, credit checks, security clearances, qualifications, and citizenship checks, as well as competency assessment and psychometric testing, may form part of the selection process,” it adds.
These jobs were advertised on social media on Tuesday morning. Newsweek has contacted the South African Department of Science and Innovation, which runs SANSA, via email, for comment.
Overwintering teams are expected to stay at the base, one of the most isolated sites in Antarctica, without contact with other people for months at a time. The current nine-member team is set to stay at the base for about 13 months.
What People Are Saying
The team member who sent the allegations to the South African government said in their email that the man’s behavior was “deeply disturbing” and said he had created an “environment of fear and intimidation.”
George told the NYT: “There was a verbal altercation between the team leader and this person. Then it escalated and then that person did physically assault the leader. You can imagine what it’s like, it is close quarters and people do get cabin fever. It can be very disorientating.”
What Happens Next
It seems the South African scientists will remain at Sanae IV until the end of their mission—unless anything changes in relation to the government’s investigation.
It remains to be seen whether this incident will affect hiring capabilities for the project.
The post Antarctica’s ‘Horror Movie’ Base Sanae IV Is Now Hiring appeared first on Newsweek.
