Researcher – Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence - Manaaki Whenua

Researcher – Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence

• 
  
• Permanent
  
• Full time
  
• Palmerston North or Lincoln
  

Mō te Pakihi | About the Company:

We'rebuilding something new. On 1 July 2025, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion came together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Now, we are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture,biotechnologyand manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.

This position sits under the current Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR) group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

This position ispermanent full time (37.5 hours per week), reports to a Capability Leader, and can be based at either our Palmerston North or Lincoln site.

The startingremunerationwould be between $103,500 to $115,000 per annum depending on relevant experience.

We need a talented remote sensing and AI researcher to join our team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research’s Geospatial and Remote Sensing Team at a time of significant growth and development.

If you are

• 
  
• well versed in remote sensing and spatial data analysis with knowledge of New Zealand’s vegetation and landscape ecology complemented by skills in data science, computational science, statistics, or maths
  
• keen to develop new leading-edge techniques to identify and map vegetation and to combine and interpret spatial data to provide environmental information, and
  
• looking for a dynamic and invigorating technological environment in which to work
  

then we have the job for you.

Our land, our future - this is the essence of why Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research exists. At Manaaki Whenua we undertake research that focuses on preserving New Zealand's rich biodiversity, improving biosecurity, and protecting the health of the land, fresh water and soil resources we need for a prosperous future. We recognise the importance of partnerships, the special role of Māori, and the need to ensure that all New Zealanders have the knowledge, understanding, and tools to truly live in harmony with our precious environment. We are recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of our research and work with a wide range of organisations within New Zealand and globally.

We need a talented and dedicated data scientist to join our growing remote sensing team. This is a great opportunity to work in a stimulating and rewarding area developing new approaches to analysing satellite and other remotely sensed imagery and other spatial data. The position will focus on improved techniques to map vegetation and change in the environment. It encompasses a diverse range of both large and small projects, some focused-on research and others on the contractual delivery of extracted spatial information. The position offers an interesting mix of challenges in the areas of applied research and operational delivery.

You will be working with researchers, technical staff, and stakeholders:

• 
  
• Understanding the analytical needs, you will advise on both data sources and methodologies best suited to providing appropriate information
  
• You will use and develop new techniques for remote sensing including data science-oriented approaches for producing interpreted data for vegetation and land-cover and environmental change detection and reporting
  
• You will have access to fast HPC and OpenGL architectures to implement spatial modelling and processing pipelines
  
• You will apply your knowledge and familiarity with Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research’s and other agencies natural resource datasets available online and appreciation of their limitations and potential to help create new solutions or solve problems
  
• You will uncover opportunities for informatics solutions to better meet stakeholder and end user needs
  

You need

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• A post-graduate qualification or an appropriate tertiary qualification, with relevant post-graduate experience, such as data science and machine learning, vegetation and landscape ecology, using remote sensing methods
  
• A strong knowledge of remote sensing methods utilising a variety of data types such as optical, SAR, Lidar, and hyperspectral
  
• Very good knowledge of remote sensing software tools, especially open-source packages
  
• Strong programming skills: with large datasets, statistical and mathematical programming with a range of languages e.g., Python, NumPy, R, C++, etc. Comfort in both Linux and Windows environments is helpful.
  
• A high level of initiative and time management with great communication and interpersonal skills
  
• Excellent written and spoken English
  
• A strong publication record with regard to your career stage
  
• An interest, qualification or experience in science fields such as environmental, landscape processes, ecosystems and biology/biodiversity.
  

As an employee of Bioeconomy Science Institute MWLR Group, you will work with passionate and talented people and enjoy supportive employee benefits such as an annual leave entitlement of 4 weeks and 4 days, generous sick leave, paid parental leave, 3 paid MWLR days between Christmas and New Year, as well as income maintenance and life insurance benefits and flexible working options. You will also have the opportunity for personal growth and career development. Whilst our main office is based at Lincoln, we do support a flexible working environment, with requests for both informal and formal flexible work arrangements given due consideration.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute MWLR Group embraces diversity and is committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we celebrate and respect diversity in all its forms including ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. We also welcome and support neurodiverse individuals and recognise the value of different ways of thinking.

Applications close on 15 March 2026 at 11 pm NZT