Senior Marine Ecologist - Earth Sciences
Sciene New Zealand, Independence, KS, United States
About us
At Earth Sciences New Zealand, we’re proud of our contribution to science and innovation in Aotearoa. You’ll be part of a collaborative and purpose‑driven organisation where your work has impact. To deliver the science needed to achieve meaningful change, we are committed to providing the best for our people, strengthening domestic and international collaborations, partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, leveraging advanced technologies, and investing wisely in essential assets and infrastructure. We also uphold our environmental responsibilities and maintain a strong focus on financial sustainability, ensuring our work continues to make a lasting difference.
About the position
This position sits within the NIWA business unit of Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ).
The Marine Ecology team at ESNZ, Hamilton, has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and well‑connected senior scientist to join a collaborative group of marine ecologists and technicians.
In this position you will lead and assist with coastal and estuarine ecological research and consulting projects that have real‑world impact for our stakeholders. We require someone interested in both the theoretical and practical application of ecology to work with a diverse team focused on ecological resilience and planning, conservation and management, ecosystem function, risk and uncertainty, and cumulative effects. The job involves collaborating with team members to execute projects in areas including, but not limited to, marine spatial planning, species distribution modelling, ecosystem services, impacts of human activities on marine environments, and blue‑carbon opportunities.
The candidate must have a proven track record of securing research funding and publishing in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals, along with established connections in the Aotearoa NZ/Pacific and international research landscape. The candidate should have demonstrable experience using modern quantitative approaches to ecology such as the integration of empirical studies with theoretical, applied, and numerical modelling, as well as expertise in geospatial approaches and integration of appropriate AI techniques. The candidate must have the ability to foster positive and enduring partnerships with indigenous peoples, stakeholders and industry, proven through involvement with stakeholder working groups, expert panels, and project team leadership excellence.
Key responsibilities include
Developing new and complementary research themes through successful commercial and contestable proposal writing
Leading multi‑disciplinary projects of national or international significance
Leadership / Mentorship of staff
Maintain positive relationships with key clients, stakeholders and funders
Provide leadership and foster alignment of research, consulting, product initiatives, business culture, and strategy
About you
Excellent communicator – with evidence of scientific writing ability, delivery of oral presentations, and stakeholder workshop facilitation
Advanced knowledge in your scientific domain, with detailed knowledge of marine ecological concepts and approaches
Competent in at least one computing language (e.g., R, Python, C++) with experience in modern statistical analysis of quantitative data
Ability to identify emerging scientific opportunities and translate them into actionable research proposals
Works collaboratively in multi‑disciplinary teams, and with people across complementary areas of research both locally and nationally within Earth Sciences New Zealand
What you’ll bring
PhD in Marine Science with a focus on Ecology, with at least 15 years of relevant experience
Demonstrated experience in the planning, implementation, and completion of large research projects
Proven track record of securing research funding and publishing in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals
An interest and experience in multiple areas of marine science including, but not limited to, spatial planning, species distribution modelling, ecosystem function and services, impacts of human activities on marine environments, and blue‑carbon opportunities
What we offer
Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science
A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing
Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits
Due to the nature of this position, we may require the Senior Marine Ecologist to be available outside of regular working hours for travel or fieldwork, and flexibility is essential.
Around these requirements, other flexible options (such as start and finish times) are able to be agreed and utilised.
Apply now
If this sounds like the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Reference # 60305
Location(s) Hamilton
Expertise Animal Science, Animal Biology, Cell Biology, Plant Biology, Plant Genetics, Hydrogeology, Marine & Freshwater Science
#J-18808-Ljbffr
At Earth Sciences New Zealand, we’re proud of our contribution to science and innovation in Aotearoa. You’ll be part of a collaborative and purpose‑driven organisation where your work has impact. To deliver the science needed to achieve meaningful change, we are committed to providing the best for our people, strengthening domestic and international collaborations, partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, leveraging advanced technologies, and investing wisely in essential assets and infrastructure. We also uphold our environmental responsibilities and maintain a strong focus on financial sustainability, ensuring our work continues to make a lasting difference.
About the position
This position sits within the NIWA business unit of Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ).
The Marine Ecology team at ESNZ, Hamilton, has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and well‑connected senior scientist to join a collaborative group of marine ecologists and technicians.
In this position you will lead and assist with coastal and estuarine ecological research and consulting projects that have real‑world impact for our stakeholders. We require someone interested in both the theoretical and practical application of ecology to work with a diverse team focused on ecological resilience and planning, conservation and management, ecosystem function, risk and uncertainty, and cumulative effects. The job involves collaborating with team members to execute projects in areas including, but not limited to, marine spatial planning, species distribution modelling, ecosystem services, impacts of human activities on marine environments, and blue‑carbon opportunities.
The candidate must have a proven track record of securing research funding and publishing in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals, along with established connections in the Aotearoa NZ/Pacific and international research landscape. The candidate should have demonstrable experience using modern quantitative approaches to ecology such as the integration of empirical studies with theoretical, applied, and numerical modelling, as well as expertise in geospatial approaches and integration of appropriate AI techniques. The candidate must have the ability to foster positive and enduring partnerships with indigenous peoples, stakeholders and industry, proven through involvement with stakeholder working groups, expert panels, and project team leadership excellence.
Key responsibilities include
Developing new and complementary research themes through successful commercial and contestable proposal writing
Leading multi‑disciplinary projects of national or international significance
Leadership / Mentorship of staff
Maintain positive relationships with key clients, stakeholders and funders
Provide leadership and foster alignment of research, consulting, product initiatives, business culture, and strategy
About you
Excellent communicator – with evidence of scientific writing ability, delivery of oral presentations, and stakeholder workshop facilitation
Advanced knowledge in your scientific domain, with detailed knowledge of marine ecological concepts and approaches
Competent in at least one computing language (e.g., R, Python, C++) with experience in modern statistical analysis of quantitative data
Ability to identify emerging scientific opportunities and translate them into actionable research proposals
Works collaboratively in multi‑disciplinary teams, and with people across complementary areas of research both locally and nationally within Earth Sciences New Zealand
What you’ll bring
PhD in Marine Science with a focus on Ecology, with at least 15 years of relevant experience
Demonstrated experience in the planning, implementation, and completion of large research projects
Proven track record of securing research funding and publishing in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals
An interest and experience in multiple areas of marine science including, but not limited to, spatial planning, species distribution modelling, ecosystem function and services, impacts of human activities on marine environments, and blue‑carbon opportunities
What we offer
Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science
A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing
Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits
Due to the nature of this position, we may require the Senior Marine Ecologist to be available outside of regular working hours for travel or fieldwork, and flexibility is essential.
Around these requirements, other flexible options (such as start and finish times) are able to be agreed and utilised.
Apply now
If this sounds like the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Reference # 60305
Location(s) Hamilton
Expertise Animal Science, Animal Biology, Cell Biology, Plant Biology, Plant Genetics, Hydrogeology, Marine & Freshwater Science
#J-18808-Ljbffr