Jean first visited Antarctica in 2003. He has returned on numerous occasions as a member of different artistic and scientific expeditions. Photographs from his expanding body of Antarctic work have been exhibited in galleries in Paris, Shanghai, Brussels, Madrid, and New Zealand.

In parallel to his photographic work, Jean writes about polar science for SciencePoles.org, the scientific news and information website of the International Polar Foundation.

In 2008-09, he was the first foreigner to accompany a Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition, within the context of the 4th International Polar Year. His reports were published by the International Polar Foundation and in the printed press.

With a background in art history and a Masters degree from the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Jean sometimes also lectures on the visual interpretation of Antarctica, and is involved in editorial projects focusing on early Antarctic photography.