Science and Technical Advisor

About the role

The purpose of this role is to help solve the scientific and technical challenges that arise as we continue to refine our elimination approach across different landscapes. Success in this role will lead to socially acceptable tools and techniques that achieve and maintain predator freedom across the mainland so that people and te taiao can thrive.

Key responsibilities

• Design and/or refine ZIP's approaches for achieving predator freedom, including taking responsibility for one or more projects such as achieving ground-based predator elimination across diverse landscapes, minimising and/or responding to predator reinvasion, designing approaches to trial new or novel tools, and developing and tracking ecological performance metrics
• Support the operational implementation of technical designs and approaches through technical recommendations and engagement with on-site challenges
• Develop and foster effective working relationships across the ZIP team and external peers
• Analyse complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights to interpret data and make informed recommendations to the wider team
• Generate written and/or visual reports and present findings on ZIP's work to the team, partners, and the wider scientific community
• Build the scientific credibility of ZIP's work within the conservation community through scientific papers, technical reports, and presentations
• Maintain currency within relevant scientific and technical areas
• Support the wider ZIP teams with tasks that suit your unique personal knowledge, skills, and ability to grow

About you

• Demonstrated expertise in ecology and conservation through post-graduate qualifications or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of invasive species ecology and experience in predator control or eradication is beneficial
• Strong analytical yet open mind, able to interrogate data in different ways to inform evidence-based management decisions
• Experience with QGIS and R is a plus
• Able to technically lead projects, drive a sense of urgency, and ensure timelines are met
• Ability to look for new solutions and have the agility to pivot to the next best ideas
• Able to work collaboratively to navigate complex challenges which may require significant changes to the work programme at short notice
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members both in person and remotely
• Track record in publishing scientific literature and technical reports to communicate impact to the wider science community
• Sensitivity to the context and background of audiences and associated individuals and groups
• Ability to understand the big picture and hold your individual work programme within that context
• Respond to critical feedback in a curious and reflective manner, and provide feedback in a constructive way
• Willing and able to occasionally work outside normal office hours
• Comfortable getting out into project sites to gain grounded perspective on challenges and opportunities
• Committed to continuous learning, skill development, and sharing knowledge within the team
• Comfortable making or supporting difficult decisions when needed, even when they diverge from initial plans
• Willing and able to work in a dynamic environment, adjusting plans as priorities, conditions, or locations change—sometimes at short notice
• Actively engages in the mahi by building understanding through hands-on experience and genuine, open conversations within the community

About us

Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is on a mission to transform Aotearoa/New Zealand's wild places by removing pest animals. A not-for-profit organisation that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025, ZIP has grown from an ambitious start-up established by the NEXT Foundation and the Department of Conservation to a credible, highly capable company of approximately 100 passionate practitioners, scientists, engineers and enablers. Most of our current work is focussed in the rainforests of South Westland, the drylands of Aoraki/Mount Cook, on Rakiura/Stewart Island and assisting in the urban environment of Predator Free Wellington. ZIP's team culture is about prioritising wellbeing, health and safety, and building strong internal connections. We value open communication, shared ownership, and supporting each other to meet challenges and achieve our conservation mission.