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Lead Project Scientist
SECORE International, Inc.
USD 65k-80k / year
Posted on Jul 23, 2025
Reports To: Jointly supervised by SECORE Senior Director of Technology and Implementation and Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Senior Research Scientist
Research Scientist Location: Negotiable. Significant travel expected to field sites in the Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Curaçao) and Australia
Position Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term (3 years)
Salary: $65,000 - $80,000 USD; competitive benefits package
Organization Summary
SECORE International, Inc. is a global nonprofit dedicated to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs through scalable, science-based solutions. SECORE partners with research institutions, governments, NGOs, and local communities to develop and implement innovative coral restoration techniques, building capacity and sharing knowledge to safeguard coral reef ecosystems around the world.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is Australia’s leading tropical marine research agency, dedicated to the sustainable use and protection of Australia’s marine resources. Founded in 1972, AIMS delivers world-class research on coral reef health, climate adaptation, and innovative restoration technologies. Through collaborative partnerships with governments, industry, and communities, AIMS advances knowledge to support effective stewardship of tropical marine ecosystems both in Australia and globally.
Project Overview
SECORE International and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) are launching a groundbreaking collaboration to address the urgent crisis facing Caribbean coral reefs. This initiative will adapt, test, and refine cutting-edge coral restoration technologies developed in Australia—such as advanced larval culturing systems, modular seeding devices, and heuristic site-selection models—for use in the Caribbean. Field trials will be conducted in Curaçao and the Dominican Republic, where the performance of these tools will be evaluated under real-world conditions. Insights from these experiments will inform the creation of training materials and a decision-support framework to guide restoration practitioners in choosing the most effective methods for their unique environments.
In parallel, the project will align research and development activities between SECORE and AIMS through the creation of a joint science and technology plan, facilitating integration of recent advances and accelerating the translation of research into practice. By uniting these efforts, the project aims to improve coral larval survival, develop novel tools to meet larval supply needs, and effectively translate successful tools to a Caribbean context.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to work alongside two of the world’s leading coral breeding and enhancement institutions, directly contributing to the development of innovative tools and methodologies that will have far-reaching impacts on coral restoration science and practice across the Caribbean and beyond.
The Lead Project Scientist will be a key team member responsible for coordinating, implementing, and advancing this international research collaboration. The successful candidate will 1) lead the development and implementation of a science and technology plan between SECORE and AIMS, 2) conduct and oversee field testing of coral restoration technologies, 3) produce effective documentation of this work for both peer-review publication and lay/practitioner audiences, and 4) facilitate integration of new tools into SECORE’s training network. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of applied science, engineering innovation, and global coral restoration practice.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development of a joint science and technology plan to align research and development activities between SECORE and AIMS.
- Co-design, implement, and analyze field experiments testing coral restoration and enhancement technologies adapted from Australian to Caribbean systems.
- Evaluate technologies for effectiveness, feasibility, and scalability; work with an international project team to synthesize findings into actionable recommendations.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to adapt technologies for Caribbean contexts and assist in the refinement of tools based on field trial outcomes.
- Work closely with SECORE and AIMS teams across departments to integrate research advancements into coral seeding programs and training materials.
- Contribute to the development of decision-support frameworks and practitioner training resources to facilitate effective technology transfer.
- Prepare reports, publications, and presentations to communicate findings to partners, funders, and the broader scientific community.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in marine biology, aquaculture / mariculture, coral reef ecology, environmental science, or equivalent education and experience in a relevant engineering field or a closely related field. PhD preferred, or a graduate degree with demonstrated experience in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience working in cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to work effectively in a remote environment with collaborators across multiple time zones and cultures.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently, including extended fieldwork at sites in the Caribbean and Australia.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with proven ability to coordinate complex research activities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including scientific writing and presenting research to diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with coral larval propagation, coral seeding, coral breeding or husbandry, orrelated coral restoration techniques.
- Experience working in small island developing states (SIDS) or similar remote, resource-limited field settings.
- Familiarity with design, testing, or evaluation of restoration tools or marine technologies.
- Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary teams that include scientists,engineers, and practitioners.
- Fluency in Spanish is an asset, but not required.
- Experienced Scientific SCUBA diver
Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifyingand addressing research and/or programmatic challenges.
- Team-focused
- Cultural sensitivity and ability to build collaborative relationships with local partners and stakeholders.
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing field conditions and project needs.
- Commitment to SECORE’s mission of advancing coral restoration through inclusive and equitable partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate to diverse audiences and through a variety of means.
Employment Details
- This is a full-time, fixed-term position with funding secured for 3 years (through June 2028), with the potential for extension if additional funding is obtained.
- The position will be hosted by SECORE International, with joint supervision by SECOREand AIMS senior scientists.
- The successful candidate will be expected to participate in in-person team meetings andmultiple site visits to Caribbean and Australian field locations annually.
- SECORE would be willing to term this position a “postdoctoral fellowship” if moreappropriate and desired by the successful candidate.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
SECORE values diversity in its team and strongly encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We believe diverse perspectives are critical to achieving successful and sustainable coral reef restoration.
Application Instructions