Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™.  

Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. 

We have built two bespoke expedition vessels, designed to be optimal platforms for delivering expeditions suited to our intellectually curious guest demographic. Each expedition vessel has a highly efficient, long and slender ice strengthened hull (Polar class PC6); and from an industry-leading aft hangar operates a fleet of seventeen Milpro Mk5 zodiacs, two 13m long Boomeranger special operations boats, two U-Boat Worx Cruise 7 submarines, a dive-support RIB and a fleet of kayaks. 

ONBOARD SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 

Our expedition vessels are also designed to be superlative ‘ships of opportunity’ support platforms for a wide variety of primary research, with a well-appointed 40 sqm wet-lab onboard, a variety of underwater sampling equipment (including an Aegir 50 ROV, Maritime Robotics OSV, CTD, BRUVs video sampling), and an extensive suite of automated oceanographic instrumentation. Each vessel has a NOAA weather balloon launch station installed, the first civilian vessels so equipped, enabling regular balloon releases; and on each vessel one of the two special operations boats are configured as a bathymetric survey vessel, mounted with a research-grade Kongsberg multibeam sonar. 

Viking has convened a partnership of academic institutions, each world renowned in their respective disciplines and collaborating with Viking on a range of timely, relevant and interesting research fieldwork; overseen by an advisory group of partner representatives from their research leadership. Our lead Institutional partner is the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute, together with US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (NOAA GLERL), The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). We are also collaborating with not-for-profit research entities, including the Polar Citizen Science Collective and Oceanites, to support citizen science and penguin monitoring respectively. 

All fieldwork is overseen by our onboard Chief Scientist supported by a Field Scientist, working with visiting research scientists. Our aim is to deliver a collaborative, rigorous and credible research program. 

PURPOSE OF POSITION 

This role is to support the Chief Scientist in all field research activities, including assisting in the maintenance of all onboard science equipment, to ensure that rigorous research is undertaken – a key contribution towards our vision of re-imagining the possibilities for an expeditionary ‘Ship of Opportunity’. 

An important role of the Field Scientist will be the coordination of citizien science programs being delivered onboard the vessel.  The delivery of individual citizen science programs may be done by general naturlists under the direction of, and with the support of, the Field Scientist.  The Field Scientist will report progress on citizen science programs to the Chief Scientist. 

In addition, the Field Scientist will provide safety support to expedition activities, as and when required by the Expedition Leadership team. The Field Scientist (FS) will work in regular rotation offshore and may liaise with the Viking FSs and Chief Scientists when shore. 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

Professional Skills 

Practical, problem solving, team player 

Excellent communication skills 

Works well under pressure 

Smart, presentable, friendly, and excellent people skills 

Strong technical and computer skills 

English speaking and writing to a high standard 

General Duties 

Work closely with, and in support of, the Chief Scientist onboard 

Operate and maintain the ship’s onboard oceanographic instrumentation (‘FerryBox’) 

Undertake interpretative science guiding for guests 

Undertake field work to collect data relevant to ongoing science projects, coordinated by the Chief Scientist 

Assist with the collation and appropriate archiving of onboard scientific data 

Assist in data and report preparation to produce scientific papers for publication 

Be available, as coordinated by the Chief Scientist in liaison with the Assistant Expedition Leader, to contribute in support of guest activities, including guest management, guiding, driving zodiacs and beach landing assistance 

Assist in any other general duties assigned by the Assistant Expedition Leader or Chief Scientist 

To be assigned shipboard Crew Safety Duties 

Mindset and Values 

Be well groomed and of professional personality and focused on delivering 100% satisfaction 

Operationally disciplined, able to rigorously ensure all SOPs are followed 

Adhere to schedules, always setting good standards 

Communication & Coordination 

Report to the Chief Scientist 

Role Model 

Lead by example 

Ensure a positive working environment 

Your profile 

Marine fieldwork experience - essential 

Minimum of a science degree or equivalent, in a relevant scientific discipline 

Enthusiastic team player and proactive problem solver 

Well organized, efficient and positive 

Technically minded, with ‘mechanical sympathy' and diligent with equipment maintenance 

Understand guest needs 

Good time management 

Proactive in upholding Viking standards of excellence 

Marine Radio Operator’s license (VHF) or equivalent 

Small boat license (RYA Powerboat level 2 or equivalent / higher) required with expedition cruise small boat operating experience advantageous. 

Previous technical support and laboratory experience - Advantageous 

Previous experience in the management of marine fieldwork – Advantageous 

Demonstrated experience in the Expedition Cruise Industry - Advantageous 

Previous experience in polar regions – Advantageous 

STCW - Basic Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting 

STCW - Personal Survival Techniques 

STCW - Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities 

STCW - Elementary First Aid 

STCW - Crisis Management and Human Behavior 

STCW - Certificate of Proficiency in Security Awareness 

STCW - Crowd Management Training 

Valid Norwegian Medical Certificate 

Guidelines and Regulations 

Implement Standard Operating Procedures & STAR Service Standards within the department 

Ensure appropriate appearance and clothing according to the updated Grooming Standards 

For Polar Regions - passed the appropriate field staff online assessment of IAATO/AECO 

The company reserves the right to change/extend this job description, if necessary, at any point of time during her/his employment