Chief Scientist - Freshwater - NIWA

at  Science New Zealand

Join our senior science leadership team to lead NIWA’s freshwater research and applied science services, where you will guide and inspire some of the most talented and high performing research and applied science teams in the science sector.
NIWA is a dynamic mission-led research and applied science organisation and New Zealand’s largest and pre-eminent provider of climate, water and marine science. NIWA aims to guide the nation to a prosperous and resilient future by growing the economy, protecting people, assets and ecosystems, and enabling effective responses to environmental change.

ABOUT US:

NIWA’s 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.
NIWA offers a flexible workplace environment with an “office first” culture. We believe teamwork and collaboration happen best when our people can interact in person - that’s where the magic happens!
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 promotes the importance and value of an inclusive and diverse workforce, including the Rainbow Community, and pride ourselves on being a family-friendly and supportive workplace.
Salary range for this position is $171,000- $255,000.
Job Details
Crown research institute

This position’s main purpose is to provide the leadership, including securing revenue and ensuring the financial sustainability, of NIWA’s freshwater research and applied science services, and to promote NIWA’s status as New Zealand’s leading freshwater science provider. As Chief Scientist Freshwater, you will ensure that NIWA continues to provide the science needed to enable New Zealand’s economic, social, and environmental needs for water (quantity and quality, including ecosystem health) to be met under an evolving context, including changing climate. This is an influential senior role, contributing to NIWA’s strategic direction, securing the revenue to deliver that strategy, and ensuring that opportunities to generate value for our stakeholders through research, consultancy services and development of products are maximised.
As Chief Scientist you will drive the highest standards of quality, excellence and innovation in NIWA freshwater science, adopting and adapting advanced technologies where appropriate. You will ensure that NIWA’s freshwater science is designed to deliver impact and revenue. Effective management of relationships with key stakeholders will be critical, including central and regional government, the private sector including primary industries and energy, proposals and negotiating contracts with key clients, and ensuring our customers are delighted with the service they receive.
What you will bring:

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD or equivalent experience, and extensive track record in an area of water, or water-related, science.
• Advanced competency in developing and leading large scale multi-agency multi-disciplinary research programmes.
• Extensive experience in business development and delivery of consultancy contracts.
• A future-oriented outlook and agility, able to provide vision and direction within a changing context.
• An extensive network of contacts in water science, domestic and international.
• Experience in leading others, and fostering collegiality, agility and innovation.
• The ability to work effectively as a leader within a team environment with exceptional collaboration skills.
• Experience in joint projects with iwi will be an advantage.