Positions Available

About the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI)

CCMI runs a marine research and education facility on the remote tropical island of Little Cayman. CCMI maintains an active and busy research programme, reliant upon flexible, passionate, and capable professionals who are committed to advancing coral reef science and conservation. CCMI’s research internships offer early-career scientists and aspiring researchers hands-on field experience contributing directly to ongoing projects focused on coral reef resilience, restoration, and ecosystem dynamics. Through its research initiatives, CCMI seeks to advance scientific understanding of coral reef ecosystems, promote minority representation in science, and train and guide a local workforce that values healthy oceans.

Position Overview

The Field Station Manager (FSM) provides strategic and operational leadership for the Little Cayman Research Centre (LCRC), ensuring the safe, efficient, and seamless delivery of CCMI’s education and research programmes. The role is responsible for integrating safety oversight, facilities management, logistical planning and team coordination to support concurrent programme delivery.

You will ensure all 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.

The role calls for flexibility, strong organisational skills, confident leadership, and a proactive, collaborative approach to working within a diverse and supportive team.

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

Field Station Management

• Lead and manage operational staff, including scheduling, vacation management (cook, housekeeper, maintenance staff), and the designated duty manager system
• Oversee management and scheduling of facilities, vehicles, boats, housing, and operational equipment at the Little Cayman Research Centre
• Coordinate and manage logistical support for visiting researchers, education groups, and resident staff
• Deliver on-site safety and logistics briefings to new staff and/or visitors
• Oversee accurate records for all operational activities, supporting development and financial reporting, including facility use, asset condition, and resource utilisation
• Supervise preventative maintenance and professional repair of systems and equipment when required
• Oversee operational budget and inventory (e.g., food, office, kitchen, housekeeping, supplies), ensuring timely orders, consistent availability and within budget
• Provide strategic operational insights and administrative oversight to support educational program planning, financial management, and logistical execution
• Ensure clear, effective communication and collaboration with CCMI’s finance, research, advancement, and education teams to maintain operational efficiency and alignment
• Liaise with Cayman Islands government departments as necessary to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, and obtain necessary permits for visiting groups and researchers
• Be a member of the CCMI Management Team and Capital Development Committee

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, including standard operating procedures and safety regulations
• Oversee and maintain safety protocols for LCRC, including regular checks of equipment for fire, boats, kitchen, and emergency supplies
• Organise and manage LCRC emergency preparedness to ensure personnel safety and facility protection e.g. Incidents, Diving, Hurricane, Fire, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• Work with the Dive Safety Officer for CCMI’s diving and snorkelling activities in a supportive and solution-focused way
• Conduct risk assessments for operational tasks and ensure compliance with relevant safety regulations and standards
• Manage accurate records of incident reports, staff qualifications (first aid, safeguarding etc)
• Assist education and research groups with boat, diving shore support
• Promote a positive culture of safety, inclusion, and environmental stewardship
• Support community outreach and educational initiatives, representing CCMI in a positive and professional way

• Experience in running remote field stations or dive resorts
• Excellent management and mentoring qualities
• Strong ability to manage administrative responsibilities efficiently and on time
• Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills
• Background in marine sciences (or similar)
• Certified and experienced dive professional (preferably a dive instructor) with three years of experience
• Experience in managing scientific diving (or similar)
• 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
• Oversight of basic maintenance of equipment, facilities, vehicles, boats, dive equipment
• Boat Captain experience/qualification/oversight
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities related to the delivery of projects or programmes
• Boat Captain experience/qualification

• Annual salary range: US $60,000 – US$65,000
• Health and other benefits per Cayman Islands Labour Law
• US $500 toward travel to Little Cayman

To apply, please submit the following items:

• a cover letter
• CV
• list of references

Email all application materials to careers@reefresearch.org by 5 pm Tuesday, 31st March 2026.

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

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.

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.