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.
Wetland restoration has increased over recent years as their values for flood mitigation, water quality enhancement and biodiversity have become more recognised. However, at present, there is little understanding how wetlands support fishes and how restoration can be targeted to enhance native fish conservation.
This project aims to examine invertebrate food to support native fish (ī nanga) across a temporal gradient of restored freshwater wetlands (ranging between 2 and 15 years) in the ‘Top of the South’. It is envisaged that the project will show how food for fishes in wetlands develops post-restoration and what plant species / restoration actions enhance fish diet. This will include essential fatty-acid analysis of the invertebrates to determine diet quality as well as the diet restoration actions that enhance certain important fatty-acids.
The student will work with two scientists that will provide expertise in field sampling techniques, invertebrate identification and sample preparation for fatty acid analysis.
Te Pītau Whakarei Karahipi is for Māori undergraduate students and supports Māori research capability and capacity building. This project is being supervised/supported by a Māori scientist and the project leverages other work being done on wetlands and fish in collaboration with local iwi.
Student tasks:
- Visit 10 lowland wetlands across Te Tauihu, representing a gradient of ‘time since restoration’ to sample invertebrates, sediment cores and īnanga samples.
- Simulate inundation of sediment cores in the lab to quantify invertebrate emergence, including sorting and counting the bugs.
- Prepare samples for fatty acid determination using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Undertake data analysis to the abundance of food for fishes (i.e., invertebrates) changes of a restoration gradient.
Student requirements:
- Be studying towards a Bachelors or Science degree in freshwater ecology, or related fields.
- Must have a full New Zealand driver’s licence.
- Reasonable level of fitness and confidence around water.
Useful skillsets include:
- Experience working with microscopes and invertebrate identification.
- A basic understanding of statistical analysis and associated software (Microsoft Excel™ or R.
- Interest in freshwater restoration.
- Interest in wetlands and/or fishes and invertebrates
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 Sunday 16 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.
