Director of Research and Distinguished Scientist Position

Call for Nominations and Applications for a Distinguished Marine Scientist and Research Director at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute Inc. (CCMI), Cayman Islands

The Central Caribbean Marine Institute Inc. (CCMI) in the Cayman Islands, an independent non-profit marine research institute, is seeking a new Director to develop and implement a strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally-recognized premier field research institute in the Caribbean.  The new Director will lead a well-funded research program and establish a vibrant collaborative community working together to incubate new ideas to address contemporary issues facing coral reef ecosystems.

We seek to recruit a scientist with a distinguished marine science career with a focus on coral reefs, physical sciences or oceanography.  Nominees and applicants must have an earned doctoral degree in marine science or related discipline, a minimum of 10 years post-PhD experience, and  a strong publication record.  Excellent grantsmanship and demonstrated record of receiving major awards for research and equipment/facilities is required.  We seek an individual with experience leading collaborations and building networks of interdisciplinary scientists. Managing people (both internal and external stakeholders) and creating a positive environment for excellence is key to the Research Director role.  Our people are our greatest resource and therefore we seek someone with excellent management and mentoring qualities. The new Director must be excellent communicator across all media, with donors, and community members.

CCMI’s principal facilities and field operations are located on Little Cayman Islands which is the least populated island in the Caribbean where 50% of the reefs are under marine protection. Therefore, this location provides an important control site for research.  It has one of the Caribbean’s most impressive reef systems, the Bloody Bay Marine Park. Research has included collaborative and international visiting scientists from Harvard, GEOMAR (Kiel University), Smithsonian Institution, University of Tokyo, University of Essex, University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University, among other academic institutions.

The Director reports directly to the President of CCMI Inc.

Additional Information about the operation, facilities and  location are available from: Search Committee Secretary, Sue Provost, sprovost@reefresearch.org

Deadline: Recruitment will be ongoing until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 15 with start date preferably by the end of Summer 2019.

Application: Cover letter, curriculum vitae, a vision statement for your research and a separate vision statement for CCMI (all organized as 1 pdf).  Include four professional references (address, phone number and email address). 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Benefits include health insurance, pension, and vacation. Employment is contingent upon approval of a Work Permit issued by the Cayman Islands Immigration Department.  CCMI is an equal opportunities employer.