Cawthron Institute is offering three summer scholarships for tertiary students to work alongside our scientists on real-world research projects over the 2026-27 summer. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, develop practical research and data analysis skills, and experience what it's like to work as a professional scientist.
One scholarship (see scholarship project titled: "Determining the fish conservation values of restored wetlands") is offered in partnership with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand's Māori Centre of Research Excellence. Te Pītau Whakarei Karahipi is for undergraduate students of Māori decent.
Successful applicants will be based in Nelson for 10 working weeks, commencing after the end of Semester Two 2026 (mid-November), with a break over Christmas and New Year. Many previous scholarship recipients have gone on to complete postgraduate study and build successful careers in science.
Students are welcome to apply for more than one project, if you wish to do so, you must apply separately as each application is assessed on its own merits.
Details:
- Scholarship recipients will receive a $7,500 scholarship each.
- Cawthron's scholarship recipients will be featured by Cawthron as recipients of a funded summer scholarship.
- Students will be supported throughout their placement and integrated into Cawthron's research environment
- At the end of the placement, students will present their research through a presentation or written report
- Students will need to find their own accommodation, though assistance will be provided if needed.
- Other costs absorbed by Cawthron (e.g. desk, travel, field work, laboratory costs) as part of project budget.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, seagrass (Nanozostera muelleri) meadows are an important coastal ecosystem, providing habitat for fish, crabs and other marine species, capturing carbon from the atmosphere, and improving water quality by taking up nutrients and trapping sediments. Like many regions globally, Aotearoa has experienced widespread seagrass decline due to physical disturbance and deteriorating water quality. These losses have prompted increasing interest in actively restoring seagrass meadows.
Seed-based seagrass restoration is still in its infancy in Aotearoa. Historically, it was thought that seagrass flowering, a prerequisite for seed production, was rare. However, recent research by the Cawthron Institute has shown that flowering of N. muelleri is more common than previously believed and that viable seeds can be collected and used for germination and restoration efforts.
As part of our Restore the Meadows research programme, we are developing techniques for seed-based restoration. We are seeking a summer scholar to work alongside researchers and other students to build on our previous findings and help advance practical methods for seagrass restoration in Aotearoa.
Student tasks:
- Assist with field collection of seagrass flowers and seed processing in the laboratory
- Help document patterns in seagrass flowering and seed production during the peak flowering season
- Investigate optimal conditions and techniques for growing seagrass seedlings in nursery settings and for out-planting seedlings and seeds into the wild
- Assist with data organisation, analysis, and interpretation
Student requirements:
-
Full driver’s licence
- Demonstrated field and/or laboratory skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Willingness to be vaccinated if required for health and safety fieldwork purposes
Please click "apply" to submit your application for this project. All applications are to be submitted via the Cawthron Careers page https://careers.cawthron.org.nz/ by 5pm Friday 28 August 2026.
You must include the following in your application:
Curriculum Vitae
- Relevant previous work experience.
- Letter of support/reference from a 2026 lecturer or tutor.
- Academic transcript with Grade Point Average (GPA).
Cover letter
- Your intended qualification to study for in 2027
Scholarships will be awarded based on merit and Cawthron reserves the right to award the number of scholarships for which it believes it has suitable candidates.
Eligibility to apply (for any of our scholarships):
- You must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Enrolled at a New Zealand Tertiary institution.
- Intending to undertake full-time study in 2027. You may be continuing your Bachelors degree, or planning to begin an Honours, or Masters degree.
- Have completed their first year of study at the time of application i.e. currently taking subjects at 200 level or above.
Criteria for awarding these scholarships:
Academic achievement
- Overall Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Most recent semester Grade Point Average (GPA)
Applicant's background
- Subjects covered during study
- Work/research experience
- Future intentions
At Cawthron we strive for equitability and inclusion, if there are accommodations that we can provide to support you throughout the process, or for any questions or if you experience technical issues submitting your application, please email [email protected]
Please note all applications must be submitted through our careers portal and can't be accepted via the above email address.
