Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for three tertiary students to take on a research project over the 2025-26 summer period in collaboration with Cawthron scientists!

The students will be based at Cawthron Institute in Nelson for a period of 10 weeks (with a two-week break over Christmas/New Years), commencing after the end of semester two 2025 (mid-November) doing their project, learning data analysis, and learning about what it means to have a career as a professional scientist.

Students are welcome to apply for more than one project, if you wish to do so, you must apply separately as each application is assessed on its own merits.

Details:

• A presentation or report will be produced by the student at the end of their placement.
• The student will be profiled by Cawthron as a recipient of a funded scholarship.
• Students will need to find their own accommodation, though assistance will be provided if needed.
• Other costs absorbed by Cawthron (e.g. desk, travel, field work, laboratory costs) as part of project budget.
• The successful students will receive a $7,500 scholarship each.
  

Project

Environmental monitoring and modelling highlights that many of New Zealand’s lakes are in poor health and require significant investments of time and resources to improve their condition. The Our Lakes, Our Future research programme (https://ourlakesourfuture.co.nz) seeks to provide information and tools on approaches to improving lake health, but needs to understand the range of factors shaping decisions on lake restoration. This is challenging in part due to the range of people and organisations involved; iwi, hapū, central government agencies, local councils, community groups, NGOs and landowners all play a role in lake restoration initiatives across the country.

The Our Lakes, Our Future team has compiled a database of information on lake restoration in Aotearoa and is seeking a student to help analyse this data and identify patterns in restoration investments and actions. This analysis will help to provide insight on the main types of actions being undertaken to improve lakes, who is involved, the values and goals underpinning lake restoration, the timeframes and resources involved, and restoration outcomes.

The student will use qualitative analysis software to systematically categorise data on restoration actions and identify and describe trends. Trend analysis will likely involve basic statistical analyses of restoration investments and activities alongside qualitative analysis of lake values and goals. There is also an option to use GIS software to record, query and present the data. The insights will be further developed by Our Lakes, Our Future social scientists through in-depth qualitative analysis and interviews to explore the drivers and implications of observed patterns in lake restoration.

Student Requirements:

• A background in environmental management, geography, or a related discipline.
• Strong writing and data analysis skills, and an interest in desktop-based document analysis.
• Comfortable using spreadsheets to organise information and conduct basic statistical analyses.
• Previous experience with qualitative analysis approaches such as content analysis or thematic analysis would be valuable but is not essential.

Application Process

Please click "apply" to submit your application for this project. All applications are to be submitted via the Cawthron Careers page https://careers.cawthron.org.nz/ by 5pm Monday 18 August 2025

You must include the following in your application within your CV and cover letter:

Curriculum Vitae

• Relevant previous work experience.
• Letter of support/reference from a 2025 lecturer or tutor.
• Academic transcript with Grade Point Average (GPA).

Cover letter stating your intended qualification in 2026 and your preferences on scholarships if applying for more than one.

Scholarships will be awarded based on merit and Cawthron reserves the right to award the number of scholarships for which it believes it has suitable candidates.

Eligibility to apply (for any of our scholarships):

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
• Enrolled at a New Zealand Tertiary institution.
• Intending to undertake full-time study in 2026. You may be continuing your Bachelors degree, or planning to begin an Honours, Masters degree.
• Student who has completed their first year of study at the time of application i.e. is undertaking subjects at 200 level or above.

Criteria for awarding these scholarships:

Academic achievement

• Overall Grade Point Average (GPA).
• Most recent semester Grade Point Average (GPA)

Applicant's background

• Subjects covered during study
• Work/research experience
• Future intentions

At Cawthron we strive for equity and inclusion, if there are accommodations that we can provide to support you throughout the process, or for any questions or if you're having technical issues submitting your application, please email Dylan - People & Capability Advisor on recruitment@cawthron.org.nz. Please note all applications must be submitted through the website and applications can't be accepted through the above email.