Risk Modeller

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave entitlements

Flexible working options

Employee benefits

Permanent full-time role

Job summary

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science in Christchurch undertakes risk modelling and data science to turn hazard and climate data into actionable insights. The role collaborates with risk scientists and stakeholders to shape resilience planning across Aotearoa and supports capacity-building through mentoring and workshops.

Applicants should have up to 5 years of experience in risk modelling or data science, with strong Python, GIS and data visualization skills, and familiarity with big data and

Qualifications

• Graduate qualification in risk modelling, data science or natural hazards.
• Strong knowledge of mathematical and statistical concepts.
• Proficiency in Python programming, data visualization, and cloud computing.

Responsibilities

• Develop risk modelling frameworks, data integration and ML pipelines for hazard data.
• Collaborate with scientists and stakeholders to co-create risk solutions for resilience planning.
• Mentor others and deliver workshops to enhance data science capabilities.

Skills

Python

Data science

Risk modelling

Machine learning

Geospatial analysis

Cloud computing

Education

Graduate/undergraduate qualification in risk modelling or data science

Tools

QGIS

ArcGIS

Command line

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science – Christchurch, South Island

At Earth Sciences New Zealand, we're bringing together exceptional science, technology and people to address the environmental, climate and natural hazard challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand. As a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation, we're committed to delivering science that creates meaningful impact for communities, industry and the environment, while partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, and shaping a more sustainable future for generations to come.

What You’ll Do

• Develop risk modelling frameworks, data integration workflows, and machine learning pipelines that that turn complex hazard and climate data into actionable insights.
• Collaborate with risk scientists, hazard and climate scientists, stakeholders and partners to co-create risk solutions that shape resilience planning across Aotearoa.
• Enhance the risk modelling, and data science and management capabilities of others, through mentoring and workshops.

What you’ll bring

• A relevant graduate/undergraduate qualification and up to 5 years of relevant and applied experience in risk modelling, data science or natural hazards.
• Knowledge of risk modelling including an ability to apply mathematical and statistical concepts into risk analyses.
• Data science expertise, including working with big data, statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualisation and cloud computing, and their application to risk modelling.
• Ability to understand natural hazard sciences, including earthquakes, volcano, tsunami, landslide, flooding and climate scenarios.
• Demonstrated proficiency and expertise in Python programming and command line environments, and other programming languages.
• Experience in processing, analysing and visualising geospatial data utilising GIS tools (e.g. QGIS and ArcGIS) and adept in managing databases, applying these in risk modelling.

We know that talented people—especially those from under-represented or neurodiverse communities—sometimes hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement in a job description. If this role aligns with your strengths, lived experience, or interests, we’d love to hear from you and we’re committed to supporting your growth.

What we offer

• Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science.
• A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing.
• Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits
• Flexible working options (e.g, part-time, flexible start and finish times). We are happy to discuss potential flexible options for this position at the interview stage.
• A permanent, full time (38 hours per week) position.
• This role is located at one of our Avalon (Lower Hutt), Christchurch or Auckland sites.
• The salary range for this position is between $90,000 to $116,000, depending on the successful candidate’s experience.

Applications close on Wednesday, 26 August 2026