Earth Sciences NZ/University of Auckland

On 1 July 2025, GNS Science and NIWA – both internationally recognised research organisations – merged to create Earth Sciences New Zealand. The new organisation aims to enhance resilience by reducing the impacts of natural hazards and climate-related risk and by supporting adaptation and mitigation.

Homepage: https://www.earthsciences.nz/

Aotearoa shelf seas ocean heatscape

Earth Sciences NZ in conjunction with the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the new Ike Moana Mahana research team. This PhD is funded by the recently activated 2025 MBIE Endeavour Research Programme “Te Moana Mahana” and will support the activities of the Ocean Heatscape Work Package. The PhD project would develop research looking to map and understand evolution in ocean temperatures in the shelf seas around New Zealand with opportunities to work with sampling, data analysis and modelling aspects but with an emphasis on new observational approaches using underwater gliders.

More information on the project is available at: https://te-moana-mahana.org/

You will be based at Earth Sciences New Zealand (Earth Sciences New Zealand – previously NIWA) in Wellington, New Zealand, and enrolled through the University of Auckland’s PhD programme in the Physics Department (where you can visit for periods of time if required by the project). In addition, you will become part of the University of Auckland/ESNZ Joint Graduate School in Coastal and Marine Science https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/our-research/jgs-coastal-and-marine-science.html.

You’ll join a collaborative team of ocean and climate scientists working across observation, modelling, and AI over a range of scales relating to New Zealand’s oceans. The project offers access to a pool of oceanographic equipment and infrastructure as well as supercomputing resources and simulation archives. The work will include development of links to government, Māori, industry, and international partners.

Candidate Requirements

• MSc/First-class Honours (or equivalent) in some form of environmental science – particularly physical oceanography, climate science, or atmospheric science.
• Demonstrated interest in climate/ocean dynamics and predictability.
• Aptitude for working with observational data.
• Demonstrable skills in Python or Matlab for quantitative analysis.
• Skills in, or interest in obtaining such skills, operating oceanography instruments.
• Good communication and writing skills

What we offer

• Full PhD scholarship for 3.5 years (fees + stipend, subject to funding conditions). Please note the scholarship will not be extended beyond this.
• Access to world-class research facilities and mentorship.
• Opportunity to be part of a major research project funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers in New Zealand and internationally.
• The successful candidate will also engage with the community of doctoral students in the ESNZ-UoAKL Joint Graduate School in Coastal and Marine Science.
• You will be supervised by Prof. Craig Stevens and Assoc. Prof Melissa Bowen.

Interested applicants should email the following to Prof Craig Stevens (craig.stevens@earthsciences.nz):

Please use subject: "TeMoMa Glider PhD application"

1. A cover letter (1 page max) outlining:
   1. The reason for your interest in the topic.
   2. The reason for your interest in undertaking a PhD.
   3. Any relevant prior experience (professional and/or academic) in the field of research.
2. Curriculum Vitae including:
   1. Any prior professional, industry and/or academic experience.
   2. Any prior collaboration with research activities.
   3. The details and links on any publications.
3. Full academic transcripts.
4. Contact details of two academic referees.

Open until filled.