Research Capability Expression of Interest process

Purpose 

This EOI process aims to identify individuals who are well-positioned to contribute to the Resilience Platform’s mission of accelerating Aotearoa New Zealand’s resilience to natural hazards. We are seeking Principal and Associate Investigators with diverse expertise, leadership potential, and a commitment to collaboration, working across boundaries, creating impact, and cultural integrity. Researchers and implementation partners (research users and collaborators) are welcome to apply. 

Principal Investigator (PI)

A PI leads or co-leads a specific project within one of the Platform’s research themes or programmes. They will work with the theme / programme leaders to shape the project’s direction, coordinate the project team, and ensure the work contributes meaningfully to theme / programme goals and the Platform’s mission. While PIs are not responsible for the overall theme / programme, they may be invited by leaders to contribute to theme- or programme-level and Platform-wide strategic discussions.

Associate Investigator (AI)

An AI is a team member who contributes specific expertise, networks, or capability to a project within a Platform theme or programme. AIs work collaboratively under the direction of the PI and theme / programme leader and may lead particular components of the work, but are not responsible for overall project leadership.

Resilience Platform Investment Framework

This EOI is part of the Resilience Platform’s broader Investment Framework, which sets out how the Platform Leadership Team is moving from the strategic intent outlined in the Platform Plan, to research investment. It outlines how individual contributions are identified, evaluated, and integrated into collaborative research programmes, and ensures fairness, transparency, and strategic alignment across all themes and programmes. 

How to apply

• Please download the application form, and complete all sections.

• Responses should be concise and within the suggested word limits.

• Use clear, plain language and avoid jargon where possible.

• Please do not submit CVs or other attachments with your application.

• Email your completed form to resilienceplatform@gns.cri.nz by midday on Friday 12 December 2025.

Timeline

The below timeline sets out the process from here:

Webinar and Q&A recording

This webinar was recorded on Monday 1 December, featuring members of the Platform Leadership Team: 

• Richard Smith, Platform Director

• Julia Becker, Living with Risk theme leader

• Iain White, Better Resilience Decisions theme leader

• Liam Wotherspoon, Next Generation Risk Assessment theme leader

• Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, Pou Whakahaere – Vision Mātauranga programme

FAQ about the Capability EOI processs

1. Can I suggest ideas for future research projects in the EOI?

The EOI is primarily about signalling your interest, capability, and experience, not pitching specific projects. The Platform is using this process to identify individuals who are well-suited to contribute to collaborative design workshops in early 2026. At these workshops, research priorities and projects will be co-developed using workstreams identified in the Platform Plan as a starting point. Future opportunities for investigator-led proposals will come through the Opportunities Fund (Track 3 of our Investment Framework), which will involve competitive calls for innovative ideas later in the Platform’s life. For this EOI, applicants are encouraged to focus on describing your expertise, networks, and approach to collaborative and culturally-grounded research. 

Useful timestamp in webinar recording: 00:32:02

2. What should I do if my expertise feeds into multiple themes and workstreams? 

If your skills and interests span multiple areas, indicate this clearly in your EOI. The form allows you to tick more than one theme and programme, and you can use the motivation and capability sections to explain how your expertise connects across areas. This will help the Platform build balanced design groups and maximise integration during the co-design phase.

Useful timestamps in webinar recording: 00:38:20:00, 00:40:04

3. What is the difference between Principal Investigator (PI) and Associate Investigator (AI) and can I express interest in both PI and AI roles? 

A Principal Investigator (PI) leads or co-leads a specific project within a Platform theme or programme. PIs shape project direction, coordinate teams, and ensure alignment with Platform goals. They may also contribute to theme-level strategy discussions.

An Associate Investigator (AI) provides specialist expertise or capability within a project but does not hold overall leadership responsibility. AIs may lead specific components or tasks under the guidance of a PI.

Yes, you can express interest in both roles. The EOI form allows you to tick both options if you are open to either. During the webinar the leadership team also highlighted that AI roles are an important pathway for early-career researchers and those seeking leadership development. If you tick both, use your motivation and capability sections to indicate your leadership experience and aspirations, as well as your willingness to contribute as part of a team.

Useful timestamp in webinar recording: 00:35:30

4. Will individuals employed at universities and Public Research Organisations (and other institutions) be eligible for research funding from the Platform? 

Yes. For negotiated research projects, the Platform will fund time (FTE) and overhead costs for researchers (employed by New Zealand research institutions) who are part of Platform research teams.

5. What kind of FTE contribution are envisaged for PI and AI positions?

It is difficult to say right now, and this will likely become clearer once we understand the pool of interested and suitable capability, have refined our research projects, and start looking at how we allocate research budgets. Past experience (for example, in the Resilience National Science Challenge) has shown that different science themes and programmes are likely to take different approaches to the size (and number) of funded roles, from PhD students right through to very experienced researchers. 

Useful timestamp in webinar recording: 00:33:32

6. Is the EOI open to specialist and technical staff (e.g., planners) as well as researchers? 

Yes. The Platform is committed to building diverse, collaborative teams, and the EOI process is designed to capture a wide range of expertise beyond traditional academic research roles. The Resilience Platform’s mission requires an interdisciplinary approach to co-creating new scientific knowledge that is ready to apply to real-world resilience challenges. We’re interested in hearing from policymakers, planners, geo-technical experts, data specialists, and other technical professionals who want to participate and help ensure our research and new knowledge is fit-for-purpose. 

When completing your EOI, clearly articulate what you bring to the table and how your experience supports resilience outcomes. 

There will also be multiple other opportunities for our research teams to engage with research users and practitioners through other mechanisms, and for research users in particular sectors to work with the Platform in the future to negotiate sector-specific research projects (through Track 2 of our of the Investment Framework – Negotiated Sector and Community-Focused Programmes).

Useful timestamp in webinar recording: 00:40:55

7. Is the EOI open to representatives from the community sector?

Yes. The community sector is a critical partner in resilience research and implementation. The Platform’s approach is grounded in collaboration across boundaries – bringing together research institutions, central and local government agencies, industry, iwi and hapū, and communities. Track 2 of the Investment Framework aims to co-develop research with communities and sectors to address place-based priorities and shared outcomes.

If you represent a community organisation, your insights into local needs, cultural values, and practical challenges are valuable for shaping research that delivers real impact. The EOI form provides space to describe your networks, experience, and potential contributions. 

Useful timestamps in webinar recording: 00:32:19, 00:51:38

8. What is the definition of an early career researcher? 

An Early Career Researcher (ECR) in this process is defined as a researcher within 10 years of completing their highest qualification (e.g., PhD or equivalent. This definition aligns with common practice across MBIE-funded programmes and is noted in the EOI guidance.

The Platform strongly encourages ECR participation and will provide opportunities for mentoring, co-leadership, and capability building. As discussed in the webinar, AI roles are designed to support emerging researchers by giving them exposure to project design, budgeting, and contracting processes.

If you identify as an ECR, tick the relevant box in the EOI form and highlight any leadership development aspirations in Section 7. This helps the Platform create pathways for growth and ensure diversity across experience levels in design workshops and research teams.

9. We have a number of interested researchers in our institution. Can we submit an EOI as a team?

No. The EOI process is individual-focused. Each person who wishes to be involved should submit their own EOI. This allows the Platform to assess individual capability, diversity, and alignment across the pool of applicants.

As noted in the webinar, teams will emerge as a result of the EOIs coming together. You can, however, signal existing collaborations or networks in your EOI. This helps the leadership team understand potential team configurations during the co-design phase.

Future funding rounds, such as the Opportunities Fund, may allow for team-based proposals. For this initial EOI process, focus on your personal contribution and experience.

Useful timestamps in webinar recording: 00:26:10, 00:45:15

10. Will unfunded contributors be compensated for their involvement in the design phase (ie, attendance at workshops)? 

Yes, in some cases. If you are already funded through an institution (e.g., university, CRI, government agency), we do not expect to compensate you for participation in workshops. However, if you are unfunded, such as a community or iwi / hapū representative, or independent expert, the Platform intends to support your involvement through appropriate compensation. This ensures equity and enables diverse voices in the design process. Details will be confirmed closer to the workshop phase, but the principle is that there should not be a financial barrier to participation for unfunded contributors.

Useful timestamps in webinar recording: 00:37:27, 00:46:50

11. What hazards are in scope – are hazards such as fire, heatwaves, water security included? 

The Platform is starting with a broad view of natural hazards. While there will be a strong focus on geological, severe weather and coastal hazards, we are not limited to research in these areas. Climate-exacerbated hazards such as wildfire, heatwaves, drought and water security are relevant, particularly where they act to compound other hazard impacts. If your expertise relates to emerging or compounding hazards and their impacts, indicate this in your EOI.

 The Platform also recognises the importance of cascading impacts and systemic risks, so research that addresses interdependencies (e.g., infrastructure, social systems, climate extremes) is encouraged.

Useful timestamps in webinar recording: 00:39:28, 00:41:32

12. How much focus will there be on social science?

Themes 1 and 2 (Living with Risk, and Better Resilience Decisions) are strongly social science focused, and social science expertise will be spread throughout Platform research as a component of interdisciplinary teams. 

Useful timestamp in webinar recording: 00:29:50

13. What kinds of conflicts of interest should be declared? 

Conflicts of interest include any relationships or circumstances that could influence, or be perceived to influence, the impartiality of selection or contracting decisions. Examples include:

• Family or close personal or professional relationships with members of the Platform Leadership Team or governance groups.

• Employment or financial interests that overlap with decision-making roles.

• Multiple EOIs from the same institution where you hold a leadership position.

The aim is transparency, not exclusion. We are a small sector and many people have previously worked together. Declaring connections helps the Platform manage fairness.

Use Section 11 of the EOI form to outline any potential conflicts. If in doubt, declare it, this will not automatically disadvantage you but ensures integrity in the process.

Useful timestamp in webinar recording: 00:48:48

Supporting documents

➡️ Platform Investment Framework

➡️ Platform Plan