Straight from employers' career sites

Research and development jobs in New Zealand.

224 open roles, 73 posted this week, most paying $114k to $187k a year. Apply directly with the employer, and tailor your CV to each one.

  • Research and developmentYesterday

    Senior Clinical Research Associate I

    Thermo Fisher Scientific · 5001+ employees

    A global leader in serving science, enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

    Christchurch, Canterbury
    Full time

    Monitoring investigator sites · Reviewing trial documentation · Tracking study progress

    4+ yrsBachelor’s degree in a life sciences field, Registered Nursing certification, or equivalent relevant qualification; valid New Zealand driver’s licence; 4+ years as a clinical research monitor; phase-I healthy volunteer study monitoring experience

  • Research and developmentYesterday
    New Zealand
    ContractEntry level

    Providing peer-review comments · Evaluating manuscript readiness · Writing assessment reports

    Invited journal peer reviewer or journal editor experience; at least 10 published manuscripts as author or co-author; PhD or MD in a listed field

  • Research and developmentYesterday
    New Zealand
    ContractEntry level

    Reviewing manuscripts · Evaluating publication readiness · Preparing assessment reports

    Prior experience as an invited journal peer reviewer or journal editor; at least 10 published manuscripts as an author or co-author; PhD or MD in a listed area

  • Research and developmentYesterday
    New Zealand
    ContractEntry level

    Reviewing manuscripts · Evaluating publication readiness · Preparing assessment reports

    Prior invited journal peer-reviewer or journal editor experience; at least 10 published manuscripts as author or co-author; PhD or MD in a listed field

  • Research and developmentYesterday

    Senior Clinical Research Associate I

    Thermo Fisher Scientific · 5001+ employees

    A global leader in serving science, enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

    Auckland
    Full time

    Monitoring investigator sites · Reviewing trial documentation · Maintaining site communications

    4+ yrsBachelor's degree in a life sciences-related field, or Registered Nursing certification or equivalent relevant qualification; 4+ years as a clinical research monitor; Phase I healthy-volunteer study monitoring experience; valid New Zealand driver's licence; currently resident in New Zealand

  • Research and development2 days ago
    New Zealand
    Part time

    Stress-testing AI models · Creating and verifying questions · Assessing AI-generated reasoning

    PhD in Oceanography, Ocean Science, Marine Science, or a closely related field; hands-on experience in computational modeling, simulation, or large-scale data analysis; fluent English reading and writing skills

  • Research and development2 days ago

    SCIENTIST - COASTAL AND MARINE

    Waikato Regional Council · 201-1000 employees

    A regional council delivering monitoring, research, and science advice across the Waikato region.

    Hamilton, Waikato
    $102k-$116k a yearOnsiteFull timeContractEntry level

    Supporting habitat mapping · Assessing ecological change · Managing ecological data

    MSc or PhD in marine science, ecology, or related field; experience in marine/estuarine ecology and field research; skills in ecological data analysis and statistics (R preferred); willingness to undertake fieldwork.

  • Research and development2 days ago
    Wellington
    $35.00-$55.00 an hourContract
  • Research and development2 days ago

    Biochemist

    Alignerr

    Wellington
    $35.00-$70.00 an hourContract
  • Research and development2 days ago
    New Zealand
    Contract

    Reviewing ai-generated responses · Creating technical questions · Analyzing technical information

    Professional, research, or teaching experience in a STEM discipline

  • Research and development3 days ago

    Principal Advisor Health Science

    Ministry of Health · 5001+ employees

    A government intelligence agency dedicated to protecting New Zealand and its people from security threats.

    Wellington
    OnsiteFull timeContractSenior

    Providing scientific advice · Leading projects · Mentoring colleagues

    Doctorate or post-doctorate in health-related field with academic publications; significant health sector research and evidence synthesis experience; technical leadership and central government experience; commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

  • Research and development2 days ago

    Hydrogeologist

    Stantec · 5001+ employees

    A global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting.

    Auckland
    OnsiteFull timeMid level

    Conducting field investigations · Analyzing data · Preparing reports

    3+ yrsBachelor's degree in Earth/Environmental Science or related field; full New Zealand driver's licence; 3+ years relevant experience preferred; MS Office proficiency; willingness to work outdoors for fieldwork.

    Generous leave
  • Research and development2 days ago

    New Zealand Market Explorer (Internship)

    REAPRA PTE. LTD. · 51-200 employees

    A venture builder focused on addressing long-term social problems through research and practice.

    New Zealand
    RemotePart timeInternshipNo experience needed

    Developing market understanding · Identifying market segments · Conducting interviews

    Based in New Zealand; strong English communication; willingness for self-reflection and new learning; curiosity about NZ and Asian business; interest in systems thinking and NZ history.

  • Research and development3 days ago

    Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

    MSD Australia & New Zealand

    Auckland
    Full time

    Monitoring clinical sites · Managing site relationships · Reviewing regulatory documentation

    Associate degree, certificate or equivalent in a scientific or healthcare discipline plus relevant healthcare and direct site-management experience in bio, pharma or CRO; or bachelor's degree or above plus direct site-management experience in bio, pharma or CRO; fluent in local language and English.

  • Research and development3 days ago
    Auckland
    Full time

    Conducting monitoring visits · Verifying source documentation · Reviewing regulatory documents

    Bachelor's degree in a health or science related field; knowledge of Clinical Monitoring practices and procedures

    Visa sponsorship
  • Research and development4 days ago
    New Zealand
    Full time

    Recording selfie videos · Following recording instructions · Uploading video submissions

    Eligible-country residence; supported smartphone; internet access; adult participant or child aged 5–17 with a parent or guardian present and consent; ability to follow written instructions

  • Research and development4 days ago

    Environmental Epidemiologist & Modeller

    PHF Science · 201-1000 employees

    A New Zealand government-owned research organization specializing in public health and forensic sciences.

    Christchurch, Canterbury
    OnsiteFull timeContractMid level

    Conducting epidemiological studies · Modelling environmental data · Publishing research findings

    Postgraduate qualification (Master's or PhD) in epidemiology, public health, environmental health, biostatistics, statistics, data science or related; demonstrated research experience; proficiency in R; strong statistical and analytical skills; ability to publish and communicate.

    Generous leaveRetirement savings
  • Research and development4 days ago
    New Zealand
    $35.00-$55.00 an hourContract

    Designing biology problems · Developing step-by-step solutions · Evaluating AI responses

    Currently pursuing or have completed a Master's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field

  • Research and development4 days ago
    Auckland
    $35.00-$55.00 an hourContract

    Designing physics problems · Developing step-by-step solutions · Evaluating AI outputs

    Masters (pursuing or completed) in Physics, Applied Physics, or a related field; strong physics reasoning and problem-solving skills across advanced domains; ability to communicate complex ideas clearly in writing and provide structured feedback

  • Research and development4 days ago
    Auckland
    $35.00-$70.00 an hourContract

    Designing biochemistry problems · Authoring ground-truth solutions · Auditing AI outputs

    PhD (completed or in final stages) in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field

  • Research and development4 days ago
    New Zealand
    $35.00-$55.00 an hourContract

    Designing public health scenarios · Authoring model solutions · Auditing AI health reasoning

    MPH, MSPH, or closely related graduate degree; foundational knowledge in at least two of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, or Health Policy

  • Research and development4 days ago
    Auckland
    $40.00-$80.00 an hourContract

    Designing physics problems · Authoring gold-standard solutions · Auditing AI reasoning

    PhD (completed or in final stages) in Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering Physics, or a related field; mastery of Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Quantum Mechanics

  • Research and development4 days ago
    New Zealand
    $35.00-$70.00 an hourContract

    Designing biochemistry problems · Authoring ground-truth solutions · Auditing AI outputs

    PhD completed or in final stages in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field; foundational knowledge in at least one of structural biology, enzymology, cellular metabolism, or bioinformatics

  • Research and development4 days ago
    New Zealand
    $40.00-$80.00 an hourContract

    Designing physics problems · Authoring ground-truth solutions · Auditing AI reasoning

    PhD completed or in final stages in Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field; deep command of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics

About research and development jobs in New Zealand

There are 224 roles open for research and development jobs in New Zealand on the SmartCVs job board, 73 of them posted in the last week, all from employers' own career sites.

Of these, 87 full time, 8 part time and 4 hybrid or remote.

Where the ad shows a salary, most pay $114k to $187k a year.

Most are in Auckland (55), Wellington (28) and Waikato (10).

2 ads say the employer will support a visa.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

How many research and development jobs in New Zealand are there right now?

There are 224 roles open for research and development jobs in New Zealand on the SmartCVs job board, 73 of them posted in the last week, all from employers' own career sites.

How much do research and development jobs in New Zealand pay?

Where the ad shows a salary, most research and development jobs in New Zealand pay $114k to $187k a year. Not every ad shows one, so check each job, and use the Salary filter to see only the ones that do.

Where are most research and development jobs in New Zealand?

Right now, most are in Auckland (55), Wellington (28) and Waikato (10). Open a region to see its research and development jobs.

How do I write a CV for research and development jobs in New Zealand?

Keep it to two pages, leave off your photo and date of birth, and use the job ad's own words for your skills. Our New Zealand CV format guide covers every convention, with a free template.

Read the NZ CV format guide