Applied Data Research Specialist - Manaaki Whenua

Applied Data Research Specialist - Manaaki Whenua

We're building something new. On 1 July 2025, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion came together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Now, we are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.

This position sits under the current Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research (MWLR) group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

At the Manaaki Whenua Group within the Bioeconomy Science Institute, data sits at the heart of everything we do. From understanding soil systems to monitoring biodiversity to analysing data for the impacts of climate or land use change our research increasingly depends on data that is clean, reliable, and reusable across many contexts. We are looking for an Applied Research Data Specialist to join our team and help ensure that the biological, soil, and environmental datasets we collect are not only ready for immediate analysis, including AI systems, but are also prepared for the long-term stewardship required of nationally significant science assets.

This role combines hands-on work preparing data for analysis such as cleaning, reshaping, and formatting with a strong data engineering mindset focused on building robust, transparent workflows and pipelines that are scalable and repeatable. You will support researchers in accessing the data they need, while also strengthening the institutional repositories and digital services that deliver nationally significant soil and biodiversity information.

Your work will draw on data engineering and quality assurance principles but will also require flexibility and pragmatism. Environmental and biological data come in many shapes and formats, from field surveys and laboratory measurements to geospatial datasets and long-term monitoring series. Success in this role means being able to adapt to this diversity, while still embedding good practice and designing workflows that scale across projects and programmes.

Key aspects of the role include :

• Designing and maintaining reusable data pipelines.
• Preparing and delivering analysis-ready data in a transparent, documented way.
• Embedding good practice through scripting, SQL, and reproducible workflows with common tools.
• Integrating diverse field, lab, survey, and geospatial datasets.
• Partnering with scientists to understand project needs and communicate data provenance.
• Supporting the long-term reliability of national data repositories and web tools.

We are seeking someone who enjoys problem-solving with data, who can adapt to diverse formats, and who brings both attention to detail and a systems perspective. Whether your background is in research data management or data engineering, you will thrive if you can balance flexibility with rigour.

This is a permanent position and is based in Lincoln (New Zealand) but we may consider other MWLR sites, and is full time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday).

You will bring a blend of technical skill, curiosity, and adaptability, with a passion for making research data reliable and reusable. We are seeking someone who enjoys working hands-on with data, is confident in scripting and workflow automation, and can also take a broader view of how data underpins science, decision-making, and long-term stewardship.

Your background may be in environmental science, data engineering, computer science, or another applied research field. What matters most is your ability to translate diverse datasets into robust, well-documented, and analysis-ready assets that can be trusted by researchers, partners, and stakeholders, while also contributing to their long-term stewardship.

We are looking for the following skills and experience :

You will succeed in this role if you enjoy collaborating with scientists and analysts, are comfortable moving between detail-focused technical work and systems-level thinking and are motivated by contributing to advanced data applications such as AI-enabled tools. You will thrive if you value building and maintaining nationally significant data assets, and if you bring a flexible, pragmatic approach to problem-solving combined with a strong commitment to quality and repeatability.

By joining our team, you will be part of a supportive, mission-driven research organisation, contributing to science that strengthens New Zealand's land, soils, biodiversity, and bioeconomy.

As an employee of Bioeconomy Science Institute MWLR Group, you will work with passionate and talented people and enjoy supportive employee benefits such as an annual leave entitlement of 4 weeks and 4 days, generous sick leave, paid parental leave, 3 paid MWLR days between Christmas and New Year, as well as income maintenance and life insurance benefits and flexible working options. You will also have the opportunity for personal growth and career development.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute MWLR Group embraces diversity and is committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we celebrate and respect diversity in all its forms including ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. We also welcome and support neurodiverse individuals and recognise the value of different ways of thinking.

This role closes on Monday 20th October 2025 at 11.59pm.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we celebrate and respect diversity in all its forms.

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