Positions Available

CCMI is looking for our next Science Director. We are located on the small, remote tropical island of Little Cayman, where our reef systems have limited local anthropogenic stressors, creating the opportunity to study, support, and promote reef resistance and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.

We are seeking a scientist with strong research experience, impactful publication record, and a history of successful teamwork, collaboration, and accomplishment working in coral reef resilience. Priority research areas are expected to advance our understanding of how coral populations and reef ecosystems resist, recover, and adapt to global and local stressors.

The Science Director is expected to establish a resident team to conduct, attract, and support year-round research. The incumbent will develop important collaborations with external academic partners, and must have experience applying for grants and managing multiple projects. CCMI has a 28-year ecological monitoring series and a 13-year restoration facility that are also the remit of the Science Team.

You must also be a passionate communicator and educator, proactively working with a wider CCMI team to create impact beyond peer-reviewed research. The Science Director and staff are expected to integrate the science programme with our active primary-to-tertiary education programmes and seek to communicate science in support of the conservation of island and regional resources.

As Science Director, your role is to develop and implement a strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally recognized field research and education institute in the Caribbean. You will be responsible for building and leading a well-funded research programme and will establish a vibrant, collaborative community that works to incubate new ideas to address contemporary issues facing coral reef ecosystems.

Key to the Directorship is contributing to CCMI’s long-term business strategy, which aims to build the capacity and capabilities of the institution to lead coral reef resilience research in the Caribbean. You will also work closely with the Head of Marine Science Education to create and carry out education programmes that are region-leading.

It is imperative that you are a strong leader, with the ability to cultivate an engaged team of scientists and educators. You will also need to be flexible and adaptable, as leading a team from a remote tropical island can be challenging. You must be able to passionately communicate and promote CCMI’s mission. You need the skills and empathy to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

You will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of CCMI, supervise the Science Team, and collaborate effectively with other CCMI teams that focus on education, outreach, communications, finance, operations, development, and administration.

Company Strategy

• Uphold and deliver the role of CCMI Company Director to the highest ethical standards
• Develop and implement a science strategy that will establish CCMI as a globally recognised field research and education institute in the Caribbean, linking to the wider company goals
• Develop and sustain successful grant writing and grant management to support the growth of the research programme, funding facilities and operations, with the aim of sustaining a US $1 million per annum research programme
• Develop a strong connection between CCMI Science and CCMI Education programmes to ensure the most relevant and up-to-date science is represented and included in CCMI education and outreach
• Attract scientists and groups that can bring relevant projects and substantial funding, and pay for facility use, as appropriate

Research Strategy

• Coordinate the CCMI Science Council – a panel of advisors that help to determine strategic science direction at CCMI to ensure long-term sustainability and meaningful scientific and societal impact
• Establish a vibrant collaborative community of international scientists who work together to incubate ideas that address contemporary issues facing coral reef ecosystems
• Develop and maintain a Science Team at CCMI that works internally and with a range of PIs and science partners on research themes that deliver the overall strategy of coral reef resilience
• Deliver a research programme locally in Little Cayman that continues to highlight the island’s reefs as sites of significance for scientific inquiry and investigation
• Facilitate the use of shared resources, including labs and staff, for visiting scientists and educators
• Build and maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment in conservation science

Delivery

• Manage and provide oversight for the science programme, mentoring research staff, post-docs, and interns. This includes preparing personal development plans for your team, overseeing new PIs in the grant-management process and ensuring all the research is delivered to the highest standards within a supportive learning environment.
• Create and deliver a sustainable HR plan for your team
• Prepare and track progress on an annual operating and spending plan for the Science Team
• Provide oversight for the long-term monitoring programme (AGRRA) with a Healthy Reef Report as an output
• Ensure the maintenance and continued development of CCMI’s Coral Restoration programme
• Publish in impactful scientific journals, producing 3+ papers annually with collaborators
• Work regularly with our communications and advancement teams on messaging and reporting to sponsors, grantors, and stakeholders
• Provide content and participate in outreach and engagement events to assist in CCMI’s stakeholder development
• Contribute to annual reports and meetings with sponsors and attend all relevant CCMI public relations events
• Work closely with the Education Team to provide programme content and participate, as time allows, in presentations and courses being provided by CCMI
• Ensure the CCMI team maintains all research equipment to the highest health and safety standards

• PhD in marine science and a minimum of five (5) years post-PhD experience, or the equivalent in relevant experience
• Strong publication record in impactful journals
• Excellent grantsmanship and demonstrated record of receiving major awards for research and equipment/facilities.
• Experience leading collaborations and building networks of interdisciplinary scientists to conduct integrated studies
• Experience managing people (both internal and external stakeholders) and creating a positive environment for excellence and personnel development
• Excellent management and mentoring qualities
• Excellent communicator/educator across diverse media, age groups, donors, and community members

• Salary: US $80k – $90k depending on experience
• Health and other benefits as per the Cayman Islands Labour Law

To apply, please submit the following items:

• a cover letter
• CV

Email all application materials to careers@reefresearch.org by 5 pm Thursday, 15th January 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CCMI is looking for our next Dive Training and Safety Officer. This is a fantastic opportunity for a dive instructor with a passion for marine conservation and teaching who is looking for a role that combines planning and logistics with being in the field.

We are located on the small, remote tropical island of Little Cayman, where our reef systems have limited local anthropogenic stressors, creating the opportunity to study, support, and promote reef resistance and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.

CCMI runs a busy education and research programme, with diving and snorkelling at the heart of what we do. You need to be a real team player that wants to support both our staff and our visitors.

Position Overview

The Dive Training & Safety Officer will lead CCMI’s dive & snorkelling operations across activities within our education programmes, research, scientific diving, as well as in-house training and development. This role safeguards participants and staff while empowering the delivery of impactful science and education in the marine environment. We operate from a remote tropical island with limited medical back-up – therefore in water safety is absolutely critical to what we do. You will be expected to be involved in and lead field activities in the water, continually working with, assessing, and training our in-house teams.

You will ensure all diving and snorkelling activities consistently meet CCMI’s safety standards and support both research and educational objectives, while working closely with colleagues to coordinate and deliver high-quality, field-based projects and programmes. You need to be passionate about the marine environment, understanding and committed to communicating why a healthy ocean matters to a range of stakeholders. The role calls for flexibility, strong organisational skills, confident leadership, and a proactive, collaborative approach to working within a diverse and supportive team. Most importantly, you need to have positive energy, love the ocean and want to protect the marine environment for future generations.

The main job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee all aspects of diving safety for CCMI’s research, education, and conservation diving and snorkelling activities in a supportive and solution-focused way
• Develop, implement, and maintain the organisation’s Diving Safety Manual and Emergency Action Plan, engaging colleagues in continuous improvement
• Train, mentor, and evaluate staff, interns, and visitor divers in safe diving practices and emergency procedures, fostering confidence and a learning mindset
• Teach diving, snorkelling, and safety-related courses to staff, interns, and visitors in an engaging and supportive manner
• Conduct risk assessments for all diving operations and ensure compliance with relevant diving safety regulations and standards
• Ensure all dive activities are compliant with safety regulations and institutional protocols
• Maintain accurate records of dive logs, incident reports, and diver certifications
• Captain vessels when needed
• Manage dive equipment maintenance, inspections, and servicing schedules to ensure reliability and readiness
• Coordinate with project leaders to plan safe dive operations that support the charity’s goals
• Be a member of CCMI’s Dive Control Board (DCB) and lead meetings to actively oversee diving and snorkelling matters, ensuring that decisions, procedures, and action items are implemented across all projects and programmes
• Lead or assist in investigations following any dive-related incidents or near misses and act as the primary liaison with external agencies, partners, and emergency services regarding diving safety matters
• Promote a positive culture of safety, inclusion, and environmental stewardship within the diving programme and across the organisation
• Assist the Operations team and wider CCMI team with any other reasonable duties required to support CCMI’s goals, projects, and programmes
• Support community outreach and educational initiatives about ocean conservation and safe diving, representing CCMI in a positive and professional way

• Certified Dive Instructor with at least three (3) years of experience
• Experience and willingness to teach dive courses up to Divemaster
• Experience in managing scientific diving (or similar)
• First Aid and O2 Instructor
• Excellent management and mentoring qualities
• Background in marine sciences (or similar)
• Basic maintenance of dive equipment
• Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills
• Ability to thrive in a remote location with limited resources and a small, close-knit team
• Willingness to work irregular hours when required to deliver a programme (time in lieu will be offered)
• Clean driver’s license and ability to drive both manual and automatic vehicles (or willingness to learn manual if necessary)
• A clear passion for the ocean and marine conservation education
• Strong ability to manage administrative responsibilities efficiently and on time
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities related to the delivery of projects or programmes

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Advanced degree in marine science, marine environmental education, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience with scientific diving or educational diving
• Science diver instructor
• Full face mask instructor
• Boat captain licence

• US $35k – $50k depending on experience
• Health and other benefits per Cayman Islands Labour Law

To apply, please submit the following items:

• a cover letter
• CV

Email all application materials to careers@reefresearch.org by 5 pm Thursday, 15th January 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Join CCMI’s Education team and support the education programmes at the Little Cayman Research Centre. The successful applicant will assist the Education team with the preparation and implementation of CCMI’s primary and secondary school level marine ecology camps, visiting university courses, citizen science groups, and other education programmes as required. This is a sponsored position, available only to Caymanians and those with qualifying residential status in the Cayman Islands. This internship is generously supported by the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation. 

The applicant will need to be proficient in water, ideally with a PADI (or similar) Divemaster qualification. They must be passionate about the ocean, teaching students of all ages and creating a positive and engaging environment for guests to not only learn but have the best experience of their lives. This role is hands on. The successful applicant will learn a wide range of skills while living on a remote tropical island at a fully functioning marine research facility. They need to love new challenges, enjoy working with a team, and most importantly, want to make a difference in terms of ocean literacy and educating the next generation. 

• Assist in the overall delivery of sponsored and paid education programmes
• Assist the Education Coordinator, Education Assistant, and other CCMI team members as needed with education department related tasks
• Organize and prepare supplies and equipment for field excursions and laboratory exercises
• Lead or assist with all outdoor activities including swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, cycling and hiking/walking
• Participate and assist with execution of local outreach events and conservation activities on behalf of CCMI
• Assist with preparation of education department related communications, eg: social media posts, email templates, announcements, etc.
• Deliver CCMI lectures, coursework, and workshops
• Assist with daily tasks associated with life at a remote field station, such as assisting with mealtimes and maintaining a clean and tidy facility
• Serve as a useful and dependable member of the CCMI team who can be called upon to assist with any department as necessary

• High school diploma or similar required
• Must be comfortable in and on the water
• Experience working in an educational setting, either formal or informal
• Must enjoy working with children and young adults
• Must be able to lift heavy dive gear and equipment
• Must be versatile, willing and interested in assisting with a variety of tasks
• Excellent communication, organizational and team-building skills required
• Excellent interpersonal skills and open to direction in a collaborative working environment
• Must be able to inspire passion for the marine environment in others

The position is for three (3) months, with the possibility to extend to six (6) months. Room and board at the Little Cayman Research Centre are provided along with all meals (or food provided for prep in a shared kitchen). A monthly reimbursement of USD $500 for living expenses is provided.

A cover letter, CV, and contact details for two referees (who will not be contacted without your consent) should be sent to education@reefresearch.org. Applications and letters of reference should include the name of the applicant in the document title, i.e. lastname_CV.pdf, lastname_CL.pdf, lastname_references.pdf.

Applications submitted by 31st December 2024 will receive full consideration. If you would like to experience living on a remote island and being part of dynamic team, we encourage you to apply.