Marine Research & Operations Manager

Location: Hybrid (3 days remote, 2 days at HQ in Lincolnshire), and at an Operation Wallacea site June-August, location TBC.
Salary: Starting from £27,000 p.a.
Deadline: Friday 29th August 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Join a global conservation effort with real-world impact.

Operation Wallacea is a UK-based conservation organisation that has been running biodiversity research expeditions for 30 years. Our work has led to the publication of over 690 peer-reviewed papers, the discovery of more than 80 species new to science, and life-changing field experiences for thousands of students across the globe.

We’re now looking for a Marine Research and Operations Manager to lead our marine research and education programs at several of our overseas field sites—primarily during the expedition season (June–August), with a special focus on the neotropics.

This is a rare opportunity to combine academic research, field operations, and science education within a truly international, conservation-focused organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Expedition Leadership: Coordinate and manage marine research programs at multiple field sites during the summer expedition season (2–3 months abroad, including remote locations).
• Research Oversight: Lead or contribute to the publication of peer-reviewed research articles based on fieldwork.
• Education Program Development: Design and deliver educational content, including online courses and support for student research projects.
• Pre/Post-Season Support: Prepare sites and teams for field seasons, and carry out post-season reporting and analysis.
• Recruitment support: Delivering presentations to potential volunteers, working to develop our academic network and speaking to potential volunteers to assist in their joining the organisation.

About You

You’ll be a passionate conservationist with strong academic credentials and field experience. Specifically, you’ll have:

• A PhD in marine biology, zoology, oceanography, or a related discipline.
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Solid numeracy and statistical analysis capabilities.
• A proven ability to manage operations and lead teams in remote, expedition-based environments.
• Flexibility to spend extended periods abroad in remote field locations each year.

What we offer

• A dynamic, varied role combining science, travel, and education.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to global conservation research.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team.
• Hybrid working model: 3 days remote, 2 days at our Lincolnshire HQ.
• Competitive starting salary of £27,000 p.a.

How to Apply

For more information and an application form, email pippa.tozer@opwall.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged.

Research and Education Officer

Location: Hybrid (3 days remote, 2 days at HQ in Lincolnshire), and at an Operation Wallacea site June-August, location TBC.
Salary: Starting from £27,000 p.a.
Deadline: Friday 19th September 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Operation Wallacea is a UK-based conservation organisation that has been running research expeditions around the world for 30 years, publishing >700 academic papers, describing >80 new species to science, and providing high quality environmental education and research experiences to thousands of school and university students from around the globe.

We are looking to expand our research department with the recruitment of a new staff member in a Research and Education Officer role. The candidate will hold a relevant PhD in zoology, ecology, conservation science, or a related discipline, and will take a leading role in guiding the research and education programs in several of the terrestrial overseas field sites we run in the summer months (June-August), as well as be responsible for various research and education tasks throughout the rest of the year.

Specific responsibilities will include co-ordinating multidisciplinary research programs at several overseas terrestrial field sites for 2-3 months each summer (with a particular emphasis on the neotropics), associated pre-season and post-season responsibilities, leading or assisting with the production of peer-reviewed research articles from these sites, and taking a leading role in the company-wide education programs (including the designing and running of online courses and supporting student coursework projects) that we offer our volunteers. Due to the focus of this position on the neotropics, Spanish language skills are highly desirable.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a proven publication record, excellent presentation skills, and have good numeracy and statistical analysis skills. Overseas participation in the research programmes is a requirement of the successful applicant and they should be comfortable spending extended periods of time away from home, often in remote expedition settings. Positions can either be fully remote with regular visits to our main office in Lincolnshire, or fully office based (or a combination of the two).

How to Apply

For more information and an application form, email emma.kitchen@opwall.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged.