What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- PhD or advanced master's in marine science (or the project's discipline) with a research record supporting scientific leadership.
- Prior embarked cruises with growing responsibility (science-watch leader, team lead) in the institution's fleet.
- Sign-on: safety training and medical per the ship operator; polar induction when the cruise sails in ice.
Basic STCW
- Basic Safety Training STCW A-VI/1 or equivalent accepted by the owner/flag
Specific courses
- Cruise planning: stations, weather windows and ship-time budgeting
- Science-deck operations: CTD/rosette, nets, dredges and winch moorings
- Cruise data management: metadata, custody and repository delivery
- Embarked-group safety: briefings, deck PPE and night work
Indicative experience
Indicative: 5+ embarked cruises and prior multidisciplinary team leadership; institutions assign the post per project (PI or delegate) with the ship operator's approval.
Observations
The chief scientist–master relationship follows the operator's protocols (UNOLS-style as reference — indicative): the master keeps the final safety word; the chief scientist, the programme's priority. Progression: cruise leader → project PI → research-fleet coordination.
What this role does
Leads the research cruise's scientific side: turns project objectives into a station-and-transect plan, negotiates every weather- or failure-driven change with the master, allocates labs, shifts and the embarked group's equipment and answers to the institution for the data obtained. Does not command the ship; commands the campaign — and its realism decides whether each sea day pays.
Typical watches
- Scientific day per campaign and laboratory guards according to mission
Key responsibilities
- Coordinate all lines of research on board and prioritize the scientific sequence of the campaign.
- Define stations, sampling, equipment and operational windows next to the bridge.
- Ensure integrity of samples, data and research documentary chain.
- Translate scientific objectives into safe operational needs for the crew.
Operational scope
- Onboard laboratories
- Scientific work cover
- Oceanographic and polar campaigns
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.