Volunteer Faculty

We seek to tackle urgent environmental challenges through research, education, and community engagement.

Volunteering is a fantastic way of exploring a place and giving something back at the same time.

The Patagonian Icefield Research Program welcomes you to join its family and help stage a fascinating work field in Patagonia. We are always looking for people with diverse skills and experiences.
As a volunteer, you become an ambassador of PIRP. You’ll be able to share your expertise and help provide all participants with a safe, fun and memorable experience. By volunteering, you also agree to uphold our values and put safety first every day.

We invite volunteer faculty to join primarily to teach and tutor students' research projects in Patagonia. However, you are welcome to bring forward research projects that could benefit your work. We do not provide research funding; you can benefit from the logistics of the program, and we can provide varied scientific instrumentation.

Voluntering Faculty FAQs

Why PIRP?

Patagonia is a perfect natural laboratory to teach geosciences, glaciology and how to live and work in the wilderness. Harsh weather fosters collaboration and provides the perfect environment to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Many faculty members see it as a way of broadening their horizons and gaining life experience. We expect people in this role to lead academically focused field activities and tutor students in their own research projects. Content should emphasize place-based learning, build experience with field methods, and explore both fundamental concepts and broader implications.

PIRP was a wonderful scientific and cultural experience located in one of the most amazing landscapes. It was a pleasure to work with motivated students, faculty, and guides, teaching hands-on glaciology and geomorphology concepts and techniques. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and highly recommend this program!

Dr. Brianna Rick

Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Faculty member PIRP 2023

Who can apply

Faculty and researchers in glaciology and related fields with previous experience in mountain terrain and glacier travel.

We try to accommodate anyone from the cryospheric science community. However, if you are no longer a student and not a faculty member or full-time researcher (such as a postdoctoral fellow), we might not be able to fit you on a PIRP expedition. Nevertheless, you can still apply. We review applications with flexibility on a case-to-case basis.

What will my responsibilities be?

Before the field activities

Help in the student selection process
Suggest research projects (not required)
Supporting participant in their projects.

During the field

Helping to set up the base camp
Lead academic field activities
Tutoring of students in their research projects in the field
Help with camp chores with everyone else, which includes cooking, carrying loads, washing dishes, eating delicious food, laughing, dancing, singing, etc.
Creating memorable experiences for everyone.

After the field

Support students in data analysis and the production of results after the field.

When and where will the program take place?

From November 12 to December 1, 2025, participants are required to arrive in Puerto Natales, Chile, and meet at 10:00 AM at the Casa Raky (map). From there, the program will arrange and cover transport to the field site at Bernal Glacier (map).

How much do we pay the faculty

Nothing, zero, nada. All faculty are ad honorem.

What does the program provide to volunteer faculty

Accommodation, transport, and food during the program (November 12 to December 1), and standard camping gear such as tents, pots, and stoves.

What is NOT provided by the program

Air travel fares to Puerto Natales and accommodation before or after the program. Each faculty has to arrange travel to Puerto Natales and back and cover the associated travel costs. It is also the responsibility of each faculty member to arrange rescue and medical insurance if their home institution does not provide it.
The program does not have special funds for shipping scientific equipment to/from Punta Arenas, but you are welcome to bring scientific equipment that fits in your luggage.

What instruments and facilities are available in the field to conduct research

We will have a power generator (1000W) and a fairly powerful laptop computer (Linux/Windows dual boot) to run structure from motion software and other computationally demanding calculations, a Toughbook field computer, a high precision thermometer, two small portable temperature datalogger, a standard conductimeter, a Heucke steam drill, a Kovacs ice auger with three one-meter segments, a basic light meter (for basic albedo measurements), snow pit kit (wedge sampler, scale and thermometer), multiple consumer-level drones (DJI Mavic Pro, 2 Pro, Air 2S, Mini 2), one survey level drone (DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise with RTK), three dua-frequency GNSS receivers (Trimble, Javad), assorted dual and triple band low-cost GNSS receivers (ArduSimple), PVC ablation stakes, a standard ecosounder (Garmin EchoMap), two packrafts, automated camera systems and trail cameras, GoPro cameras, power banks and assorted batteries, solar panels, GPR (5-20 MHz), basic infrared camera, one Raspberry Shake 3-axis seismometer, one Rasperry Shake & Boom seismometer and infrasound sensor, one hydrophone with sound recorder, rock drill, one schmith hammer, two increment borers (for tree cores), handheld VHF radios, asorted Open-Hardware boards (Arduino) and assorted general tools. Also, at Bernal Glacier, there is an Automatic Weather Station managed by the Chilean Water Directorate (DGA) and with public access to the data (station 12250001-2 "Glaciar Bernal" ), measuring precipitation, temperature, humidity, pressure, LW and SW incident and reflected solar radiation, wind speed and direction.

How many volunteer faculty seats are available

Three.

In what language is the program

English. Faculty are NOT required to speak Spanish.

When is the application deadline?

It was July 03, 2025, so it is now closed. Subscribe to our mailing list at the bottom of this page to be notified when we open applications for the 2026 Expedition.

How to apply

Simply fill out a form that will become available on this page once aplications are open for the 2026 Expedition.