Research Advisor

New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Ltd; Kenepuru Head; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Annual leave and PHF days

Volunteer day

Flu vaccinations

Life insurance

Insurance discounts

Job summary

PHF Science is seeking a proactive Research Advisor to join the Office of the Chief Scientist. You will work with the Senior Research Advisor to support researchers across the lifecycle, focusing on identifying funding opportunities and preparing competitive proposals.

You will assist with budgeting, contracts and post‑award administration, ensuring timely reporting and accessible portfolio information. The role can be based in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, with flexible work options.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in research administration, science or a related field.
• Experience in a research, science, health or public sector environment, providing practical support with proposal preparation and post‑award administration.
• Knowledge of research funding processes and opportunities, and ability to draft/edit narratives and gather evidence.
• Ability to support budget preparation using templates and costing approaches with Legal and Finance.
• Experience setting up project documentation, tracking deadlines and reporting.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills with clear, service‑focused communication.

Responsibilities

• Identify funding opportunities and prepare competitive proposals, drafting narratives and collecting supporting evidence.
• Assist researchers to prepare accurate budgets using standard templates and costing models.
• Work with Legal and Finance on research contracting, compliance and funder obligations.
• Provide post‑award support including project documentation and reporting schedules.
• Maintain consistent research portfolio information for reporting to leadership.

Skills

Funding opportunities

Proposal writing

Budgeting support

Research administration

Compliance

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Tools

Portals and templates

Job description

Research Advisor Te tūnga | The role PHF Science is seeking a proactive and organised Research Advisor to join our Office of the Chief Scientist, reporting to the Head of Research.

Working alongside the Senior Research Advisor, you will provide practical support to scientists and managers across the research lifecycle, with a key focus on helping researchers identify funding opportunities and prepare competitive proposals. This is an opportunity to help researchers focus on their research and deliver science that makes a difference for New Zealand.

We are looking for a Research Advisor to provide practical support across the following areas:

• Help researchers identify relevant funding opportunities and prepare competitive proposals, including drafting and editing narratives, gathering supporting evidence and ensuring alignment with funder and organisational priorities.
• Assist researchers to prepare accurate budgets using standard templates and costing models that account for staff time and overheads, and support internal approvals so managers and the General Manager have the information needed before submission.
• Work with Legal and Finance to assist with research agreements, contracting and compliance requirements, supporting timely handling of funder obligations.
• Provide post‑award support by helping set up project documentation and tracking, managing reporting schedules and flagging risks early, enabling researchers to focus on the science.
• Maintain consistent, accessible research portfolio information to support the Head of Research and Senior Research Advisor with reporting on PHF Science’s research activity.

We are open to receiving applications from across Aotearoa New Zealand, and the role can be based in either Tāmaki Makaurau, Pōneke or Ōtautahi.

About you

• A relevant postgraduate tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in research administration, science or a related field.
• Experience in a research, science, health or public sector environment, working as part of a small research support or coordination team and providing practical support with proposal preparation, internal approvals and post‑award administration.
• Working knowledge of research funding processes and requirements, with experience helping researchers identify suitable opportunities and prepare proposals through drafting or editing, gathering evidence and following application guidelines.
• The ability to support research budget preparation using established templates and costing approaches, alongside researchers, senior advisors and Finance, and familiarity with working with Legal and Finance on research contracting, compliance and funder obligations.
• Experience setting up project documentation, tracking deadlines and assisting with reporting, with an understanding of research portfolio tracking, databases or reporting systems.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines under guidance, and clear, service‑focused communication to respond to researcher and manager queries accurately and professionally.

Ngā painga

• Flexible working options to support balancing work and non‑work commitments.
• Four weeks annual leave, plus two additional annual leave days and three additional PHF Science days (usually the three days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve) 15 days sick leave and service leave provisions after five years.
• Annual volunteer day to support an organisation or issue you care about in the community.
• Free annual flu vaccinations.
• Life insurance and physical loss benefit.
• Subsidised Southern Cross insurance & access to special retail discounts.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a confidential and free counselling service.

Mō mātou

Established in 2025, formerly ESR, PHF Science is a New Zealand Government‑owned research organisation dedicated to the health, wellbeing and safety of our communities. Specialising in public health and forensic sciences, we monitor disease, help ensure safe food and water, reduce harm from drugs, support the justice system and more. Our science powers innovations and solutions to help New Zealand prosper and grow. With 4 locations across Aotearoa New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch and Wellington (Kenepuru and Wallaceville), we use world‑leading science to monitor disease, test food and products, safeguard our water, and support the justice sector. By joining forces with experts and iwi, we’re tackling critical issues to ensure a better Aotearoa New Zealand for all. We are an accredited Living Wage employer and value our people, providing excellent environment for fostering and developing our people in a values‑driven, flexible, and ever evolving landscape. We are committed to sustainability and are proud to have received our Toitū Carbonreduce Certification.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

At PHF Science, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people is our highest priority. Depending on the role and exposure risks, mandatory vaccinations may include Tetanus, Typhoid, Meningococcal, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, and Polio. In some roles you may need to confirm your vaccination status in accordance with health and safety advice before you commence employment. Participation in PHF Science’s vaccination programme is a condition of employment for new staff. We choose to share this information early in our hiring process so candidates can make an informed choice and are happy to discuss further at interview stage if you have any questions.

PHF Science is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to New Zealand. We look forward to your application. If you don't meet every requirement in this position description, please don't exclude yourself. Studies indicate that women and other individuals from under‑represented groups often only apply when they satisfy all the criteria. We focus on recruiting individuals who share our core values of Mahi Rangatira (Our quality counts), Mahi tahi (our team spirit), Mahi Auaha (we push boundaries), Mahi Pono (we do the right thing). If these values resonate with you, we encourage you to submit your application. PHF Science is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, equitable workplace where people feel they belong.

We believe this is the right thing to do, but we also believe it is a worthwhile commitment that makes our organisation stronger and more capable through building on our diversity of thinking, enabling us to better understand the needs of our stakeholders and people and respond effectively. An inclusive environment means the diverse perspectives we have are more likely to be expressed, heard, and acted on. Please note the successful applicant will be required to complete a pre‑employment drug‑screen and police records check as conditions of employment.

Applications Close

We are New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute specialising in science for communities. We use world‑leading science to safeguard our health, keep our communities safer, protect our food‑based economy, and improve the health of our water and natural environment. Keeping people safe and healthy through science is our focus and our staff bring a wealth of different experience and backgrounds to deliver this expertise. If you have the skills, initiative and commitment for protecting people through science, we’d like to hear from you.

Find out more

PHF Science - Careers

PHF Science - Website

PHF Science - LinkedIn