Research Scientist

Research Scientist – Applied Science & Product Development

ScapeSpec | Tuakau, Auckland | Flexible hours

Turn science into products you can actually see being made and used.

ScapeSpec develops engineered soils, growing media, fertilisers and landscape systems for commercial landscape and infrastructure applications.

We’re looking for a Research Scientist to become our in-house scientific specialist – someone who enjoys the rigour of research and laboratory work but also wants to get out from behind the desk and put ideas into practice.

We’re more interested in finding the right person than fitting someone into a conventional role, so we can be flexible around hours and working arrangements.

What you'll be doing

You’ll research and develop engineered soils, growing media, fertilisers, amendments and associated delivery systems to meet customer requirements, technical specifications and relevant New Zealand and international standards.

You’ll take ideas through the full development process – research, formulation, sampling, laboratory testing, practical trials, validation and implementation.

You'll also:

• Conduct a range of testing in our in-house laboratory.
• Develop and maintain robust testing methods and laboratory procedures.
• Coordinate specialist testing with external laboratories where we don't have the required equipment or capability.
• Interpret laboratory results and use the findings to improve formulations and products.
• Work alongside our yard team to produce samples, trial blends and prototypes.
• Design and undertake field trials to understand how products perform in the real world.
• Research new raw materials, technologies, scientific developments and international approaches.
• Work with specifications from councils, landscape architects, infrastructure projects and other technical customers.
• Develop technical product information, research reports, articles and industry content.
• Build relationships with universities, researchers, councils, specifiers and other technical professionals.
• Help establish ScapeSpec as a respected contributor to research and innovation within the landscape and infrastructure industries.

Science that gets put into action

We're particularly interested in someone who enjoys applied science.

You might spend part of your week reading research or analysing laboratory results and another part working with the yard team to physically produce and test a new formulation.

We don't want research to sit in a report. We want someone who can take a scientific idea and work out how to test it, prove it and ultimately turn it into something useful.

There is also plenty of scope to explore areas such as soil performance, plant nutrition, water management, recycled and alternative materials, sustainability, climate resilience and new approaches to landscape infrastructure.

Technology is part of where we're heading

We're interested in the potential to bring together physical products, science, sensors, data and software to better understand and manage landscape performance.

Experience with sensors, monitoring systems, IoT, software or data platforms would be an advantage, but it isn't essential.

You don't need to be a software developer. We're more interested in whether you can understand what should be measured, how it should be tested and what the data actually means.

Who we're looking for

You'll have a relevant scientific qualification in an area such as soil science, environmental science, agricultural science, horticultural or plant science, chemistry, materials science or a related discipline.

You'll also bring:

• Practical laboratory experience.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Confidence interpreting scientific and laboratory data.
• The ability to design trials and draw sound conclusions from the results.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Curiosity and an interest in developing new ideas.
• A willingness to work practically with materials and equipment.
• The ability to work independently and take ownership of your work.

We're interested in finding the right applied scientist who has the curiosity, scientific discipline and practical mindset to make an impact. Experience with soils, growing media, fertilisers, horticulture, environmental systems, infrastructure, product development or relevant standards would be advantageous.

A role we can shape around the right person

This could suit an experienced scientist looking for something different, an applied researcher wanting greater commercial involvement, or someone looking for flexibility while continuing to do interesting and meaningful scientific work.

Full-time or reduced hours can be considered.

If you like the idea of having the freedom to research, experiment and then see your work become a real product being manufactured and used, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply now and help us develop the science behind the next generation of landscape products and systems.