We’re hiring - Operations & Data Manager
Operations & Data Manager, Citizens of the Sea
Citizens of the Sea is a New Zealand charitable trust that mobilises a global network of sailor-scientists to collect environmental DNA, enabling a deeper understanding of ocean health for researchers, policymakers, and communities.
Citizen science and environmental DNA (eDNA) are powerful tools for closing gaps in our knowledge of ocean biodiversity. Citizens of the Sea uses these tools to monitor marine life across the offshore Pacific and the wider global ocean, including regions that traditional research vessels rarely reach.
Citizens of the Sea's goal is to build a citizen-powered ocean observing network that generates large-scale, spatio-temporal biodiversity data from under-sampled offshore waters. With an initial focus on the South Pacific — spanning New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Australia — the organisation equips cruising yachts with simple eDNA sampling kits through its Pacific Rally network, turning each voyage into a scientific expedition. Its offshore racing programme extends this reach further, partnering with elite ocean racers in events such as the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race to capture eDNA from remote waters at the extremes of the global ocean.
Through this work, Citizens of the Sea is developing resources that enable broad-scale deployment of marine eDNA, including: a growing bioarchive of genetic samples for future reanalysis; biodiversity baselines to detect climate-driven shifts in species distribution; and open biodiversity datasets published through GBIF and OBIS to support governments, NGOs, and communities in strengthening marine management and protection.
About you
We are looking for a well-organised scientist, environmental data specialist, or experienced field operations/project coordinator with strong communication skills to work with our sailors, coordinate logistics and processes, and build and oversee our data management systems. You are practical, collaborative, and comfortable contributing across a small, mission-driven team. Experience in science communication, the science-policy interface, and/or project management will be advantageous. Familiarity with eDNA datasets and analyses would also be a plus. Some travel and occasional fieldwork may be required.
Operations & Data Manager role
This role includes the following key responsibilities:
Lead the development, engagement, and growth of the sailor-scientist community through outreach, onboarding, training, communications, and programme promotion.
Coordinate end-to-end sampling operations, including vessel preparation, participant training, sampling design, logistics, sample handling, inventory management, and international sample movements.
Manage and continuously improve sample processing workflows to enhance efficiency, quality, scalability, and operational performance.
Oversee data management systems, including metadata capture, sample traceability, dataset publication, and long-term data archiving.
Develop data visualisation products, dashboards, and automated reporting workflows to support programme delivery, stakeholder communications, and decision-making.
Lead health and safety management, SOP development, process improvement, risk management, and operational planning and budget forecasting.
Build and strengthen relationships with Pacific communities, supporting programme participation, capacity building, and regional collaboration.
This is a permanent, full-time role, ideally located in Nelson. Salary range $80,000-$90,000.
Please submit your application via Seek by 5pm 9 August. Interviews will be conducted 24-28 August.
For questions regarding this role, please contact Lead Scientist, Dr Xavier Pochon: xavier@citizensofthesea.org.