Zooplankton Ecologist - Post Doctoral Fellow - NIWA

NIWA is a dynamic research organisation and New Zealand's largest and pre-eminent provider of climate, freshwater and marine science. Our core purpose is to enhance the economic value and sustainable management of New Zealand's aquatic resources and environments, to provide an understanding of climate and the atmosphere, and increase resilience to weather and climate hazards to improve safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

What we're looking for:

NIWA is seeking a dynamic Post-Doctoral Fellow to work at our marine and climate research-focused, 300 strong, harbour-side Wellington campus. Based within the Marine Biogeochemistry Group, you will lead and drive research on the ecological role of zooplankton, particularly in the Ross Sea sector of the Southern Ocean.  You will analyse existing and newly collected zooplankton data, undertake spatial-environment modelling of zooplankton distributions, develop zooplankton time-series measurements, use zooplankton data as an ecosystem indicator for national level "state of the environment" reporting, and undertake targeted field, experimental and modelling-based research on the factors affecting the transfer of energy from phytoplankton to zooplankton and the fate of primary and secondary production in open ocean and coastal marine food webs.

The position is for three years with the expectation that a top candidate will attempt to secure additional longer-term external research funding, centred on zooplankton processes.

What you will bring:

• A research degree (PhD), with up to 5 years' relevant work experience, including Post-Docs, in the functional role of meso- and/or macro-zooplankton in open ocean to coastal marine systems.
• Experience in writing and publishing scientific papers in international, peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience in design, implementation and reporting of multidisciplinary studies.
• Experience in undertaking sea-going research expeditions in person using equipment including one or more of the following sampling methods: zooplankton net hauls, Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS), midwater trawls, Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR), optical/video zooplankton equipment.
• Experience of analysing samples and data from one or more of the following sampling methods: zooplankton net hauls, MOCNESS, midwater trawls, CPR, optical/video zooplankton identification and abundance.

We don't expect perfection in our candidates - if you think you have what it takes, but don't meet every point referenced in the position description, please still get in touch!

NIWA offers 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.

NIWA promotes the importance and value of an inclusive and diverse workforce, including the Rainbow Community, and takes pride on being a family-friendly and supportive workplace.

Providing a safe working environment for our people is paramount to us and that is why we have implemented a COVID-19 Vaccinated Workplace Policy, which requires all new employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated, where medically able, before joining our team.