Marine Research and Operations Manager
Operation Wallacea Ltd
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.
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.
Deadline: Friday 8 August 2025 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
About Operation Wallacea Ltd
Operation Wallacea (Opwall) began working within the Wallacea region of Indonesia in 1995. Initially funded to run a rapid assessment of this poorly-explored area, we soon discovered that the need for long term monitoring data in many ecosystems was critical.
Nearly 30 years on, we now run biodiversity research expeditions all over the world, sourcing data that has underpinned hundreds of research papers and informed high-level environmental policy decisions in the sites we work in. We also offer biodiversity and conservation field training courses in the UK as well as online training courses using data collected on our expeditions.
Operation Wallacea (Opwall) began working within the Wallacea region of Indonesia in 1995. Initially funded to run a rapid assessment of this poorly-explored area, we soon discovered that the need for long term monitoring data in many ecosystems was critical. Nearly 30 years on, we now run biodiversity research expeditions all over the world, sourcing data that has underpinned hundreds of research papers and informed high-level environmental policy decisions in the sites we work in. We also offer biodiversity and conservation field training courses in the UK as well as online training courses using data collected on our expeditions.
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