Fixed-term, maternity cover until September/October 2026

Preferred location: Auckland (open to Wellington or Christchurch)

The Opportunity

REANNZ is seeking a Research Communities Advisor to join our Science Engagement team. This is a fixed-term maternity cover role, running until approximately September or October 2026.

Based preferably in Auckland, we are also open to applications from Wellington and Christchurch. In this role, you will support Aotearoa New Zealand’s research communities by building strong relationships, understanding their needs, and helping connect them with advanced digital and eResearch capabilities.

You will primarily support the Research Software Engineering community, working closely with researchers and organizations across the New Zealand research sector. Acting in an advisory capacity, you will help researchers navigate and access high-performance computing, data analytics, AI and machine learning, and wider eResearch services.

This is a varied, hands-on role with a strong community focus. Your work will include:

• Building and supporting engaged research software engineering communities

• Planning, hosting, and delivering conferences, workshops, and community events

• Enabling research organizations to access REANNZ services through subscriptions, including account and contract management

• Capturing and managing customer feedback to improve services and strengthen the overall researcher experience

About REANNZ

REANNZ is a Crown-owned membership organization dedicated to empowering Aotearoa’s research and education sector. Our members include universities, Crown Research Institutes, museums, libraries, and government organizations.

Since 2007, REANNZ has operated a specialist high-performance digital network designed for the unique needs of the research and education sector. From July 2025, with the integration of NeSI people and technologies, REANNZ provides a comprehensive national hub for eResearch, bringing together advanced digital networking, high-performance computing, data analytics, and researcher-focused support.

We are a small, highly skilled, and purpose-driven organization, motivated by collaboration, innovation, trust, and excellence. Our work supports a thriving, connected, and inclusive research ecosystem that contributes to a prosperous Aotearoa.

About you

You are passionate about the role research plays in society and enjoy working at the intersection of people, technology, and collaboration. You are comfortable facilitating conversations across diverse groups, even when you are not the technical expert, and can move between strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.

You bring experience supporting or advising research projects, strong relationship-building skills, and an interest in digitally enabled research. You value partnership, equity, and inclusion, and are committed to supporting research tackling real world problems.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• A genuine interest in research and its impact on society

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Strong planning, organization, and time management abilities

• A bachelor’s degree and at least three years of research-related experience

• Experience providing advice or support to research projects or research communities

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships

• Ability to move between strategic and operational contexts

Preferred:

• Understanding of, or interest in learning, advanced ICT infrastructure and eResearch technologies

• Expertise in contemporary service design and product management approaches

• Confidence with Agile values and principles, with experience in Agile methods such as Scrum

• Experience working with Māori researchers or Māori research organizations

• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

We value diverse experiences and perspectives. If you are excited about enabling research through partnerships but do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

What we offer

At REANNZ, you will be part of an organization with a national mandate and real impact on New Zealand’s research future. We offer a collaborative, inclusive and flexible working environment, opportunities to engage across diverse research communities, and the chance to contribute to nationally significant research outcomes.

You will work alongside passionate, skilled colleagues who value innovation, trust, and excellence, and who are committed to supporting equity and meaningful partnerships across the research sector.

Applications close: 21 January 2026

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