Science jobs

Be part of the brilliant science going on in our labs – and enjoy a lifestyle you just won’t find anywhere else.

New Zealand is home to a number of internationally-renowned research institutions.

We compete globally in many fields including agricultural biotechnology, genomics, biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nutraceuticals and more.

Global impact

There’s no shortage of world-leading science and research initiatives going on here. Amongst other advances, they’ve led to:

NZ universities are twice as successful as their US counterparts at getting research from the lab to market. Some even outperform entrepreneurial heavyweights like MIT and Stanford University.

  • Smart healing gels that will improve the healing process of patients recovering from sinus surgery.
  • A digital soil map that farmers and land managers can use to get a better understanding of the soils they're working with.
  • An innovative new social app that helps people make positive lifestyle changes.
  • 'Healthbots' - robotic companions that provide cost effective care and entertainment for older people (an international collaboration with South Korea).
  • A new type of GPS tracking system that will revolutionize the conservation of native birds and endangered animals.
  • New 'green' power technologies.

New Zealand researchers are well integrated into global networks. In 2012, the OECD noted that 50% of their scientific articles and 20% of their PCT patent applications were produced with international collaboration.

Science, Technology & Innovation | OECD (PDF 167KB)

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Employment opportunities

You can visit the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website for an overview of the sector.

The best employment opportunities are in applied scientific research, on projects likely to have a practical outcome that will directly benefit the economy.

Because the New Zealand economy is somewhat dependent on primary industries such as agriculture and forestry, a lot of scientific research is focused on these industries.

We need scientists more who specialise in agricultural and forestry research and development.

Science and Innovation | MBIE

About | Science New Zealand

 

Is your profession on the green list?

There are science roles currently on INZ's fast-tracked Residency Green list

The Green List | Immigration New Zealand

Job sites to explore

Government strategy

In October 2015, the government launched the National Statement of Science Investment (NSSI).

The plan aims to:

  • Grow business expenditure on Research and Development to 1% of GDP by 2025
  • Grow government's investment in science to 0.8% of GDP
  • Further develop the cross-disciplinary action to tackle the country's biggest science-based issues
  • Provide greater support to international collaborations. 

National Statement of Science Investment | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Science and innovation

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