About the Role
Role details below.
Responsibilities
- Provide scientific leadership on biodiversity and ecosystem services monitoring frameworks, including indicator selection, state–pressure–response models, and outcome‑focused assessment architectures
- Set the strategic direction for DOC’s monitoring science system, ensuring coherence across indicators, sampling design, data standards, analytics, and reporting pathways
- Deliver authoritative, evidence‑based advice to senior DOC leadership and the Minister, translating complex monitoring outputs, uncertainty, and trade‑offs into decision‑relevant insights
- Lead applied research programmes to improve monitoring effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability, including integration of emerging technologies, remote sensing, modelling, and advanced analytics
- Oversee the design, delivery, synthesis, and publication of monitoring and research outputs, ensuring scientific rigour, reproducibility, and relevance at national and international scales
- Build system capability by mentoring science and technical advisors, and by working as an honourable Treaty partner to embed Māori engagement and Mātauranga Māori within monitoring indicators, models, and system design
Requirements
- Advanced expertise in biodiversity, ecosystem services, conservation biology, or a closely related scientific discipline
- Proven experience leading applied science or research programmes in complex organisational environments
- Strong understanding of monitoring frameworks, systems design, and evidence‑based reporting for conservation outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to provide clear, authoritative advice to senior decision-makers, including in politically sensitive contexts
- Experience engaging with the science sector, including universities, Crown Research Institutes, and independent science providers
- A track record of mentoring and developing science and technical staff to lift system‑wide capability
Nice to Have
- Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and how these apply to conservation science
Benefits
- Strong DOC culture built on clear values
- Integrity grounds us, connections take us further together, we empower ourselves and others to do the best work
- Achieve more for nature and New Zealand
- Committed to working as an honourable Treaty Partner
- Developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow
- Working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $123,000 – $162,500, with the starting salary based on relevant skills and experience.
Additional Information
- Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 8 May 2026
- Apply online with a CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your interest in this senior science leadership role at Te Papa Atawhai
- Your experience may come from professional practice, research, community or iwi‑based work, or other pathways
- We value the breadth of skills
