Climate Services Scientist - Earth Sciences
Science New Zealand
At Earth Sciences New Zealand, we're bringing together exceptional science, technology and people to address the environmental, climate and natural hazard challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand. As a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation, we're committed to delivering science that creates meaningful impact for communities, industry and the environment, while partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, and shaping a more sustainable future for generations to come.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a strategic and relationship-focused leader who is passionate about using climate science and information to support resilience, adaptation, and risk-informed decision-making. This role requires someone who can bring together technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, and programme leadership to deliver impactful climate services that meet the needs of diverse partners across the Pacific and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment, building strong partnerships, leading complex initiatives, and driving innovative solutions that create meaningful outcomes. You will be a proactive and adaptable professional with excellent communication and leadership skills, a strong customer focus, and a commitment to strengthening climate resilience through partnership, capability development, and service excellence.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development and delivery of climate services, early warning systems, and decision-support tools that help communities and organisations respond to climate and hazard risks.
- Provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of innovative climate information products, services, and systems for partners across the Pacific and New Zealand.
- Apply climate science and data analysis to understand climate impacts, variability, and extremes, and translate insights into practical solutions for end users.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Pacific governments, regional organisations, development partners, and other key stakeholders.
- Lead and manage complex regional programmes and projects, ensuring successful delivery, strong partner engagement, and high-quality outcomes.
- Support capacity building through training, knowledge sharing, and the co-design of tools and services with partners and stakeholders.
- Contribute to business development activities, including proposal preparation, strategic partnerships, and identifying opportunities for future investment and growth.
- Represent Earth Sciences New Zealand in regional forums, technical working groups, and collaborative initiatives that strengthen climate resilience across the Pacific.
What You’ll Bring
- A Research degree (MSc or PhD), or equivalent experience in a relevant aspect of earth or climate science, geography, engineering, or related fields
- Five to ten years post-graduate experience within the hydro-meteorological, climate or hazard-related sectors
- Technical knowledge and skills to develop science-based innovative information for climate services, risk management and decision support
- Experience in end-user sector engagement and understanding sector needs, including designing and leading workshops and consultations in developing countries
- Project management skills and leading project teams to undertake international development work and report to large, multilateral development partners and donors
- Experience in proposal development to secure both research and commercial contracts
- Strong skills in report writing and dissemination of science-based results
We know that talented people—especially those from under represented or neurodiverse communities—sometimes hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement in a job description. If this role aligns with your strengths, lived experience, or interests, we’d love to hear from you and we’re committed to supporting your growth.
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
- Flexible working options (e.g, part-time, flexible start and finish times). We are happy to discuss potential flexible options for this position at the interview stage.
- A permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week) position based at our campus in Greta Point, Wellington.
- The salary range for this position is between $95,000 to $130,000, depending on the successful candidate’s expertise and experience.
View the full Position Description for this position at: https://careers.sciencenewzealand.org/niwa/about-us. If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact ***email_hidden***.
If this sounds like the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.
