The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) is entering the next phase of its institutional development, reflecting the continued growth of its research, conservation, and training programmes across multiple sites and partnerships.
Over the past years, BCSS has been evolving from a single-site research initiative into a multi-layered scientific platform operating at regional and international levels. As our work expands across new geographies, ecosystems, collaborators, and affiliated properties, we are strengthening our leadership structure to support this scale.
As part of this institutional development, Dr. Mario Lebrato will be moving into a newly established network-wide role as Director of Science and Environment. In this capacity, he will coordinate scientific and environmental programmes across all BCSS-affiliated initiatives, guiding long-term research priorities, partnerships, and overall environmental strategy at network level.
“BCSS has reached a stage where the scale of our scientific work requires stronger institutional coordination across new sites, partnerships, and research programmes. What began as a single ocean observatory in the Bazaruto Archipelago is evolving into a broader scientific network connecting ecosystems, researchers, and institutions. This transition reinforces our long-term commitment to rigorous science, national capacity building, and open collaboration, while ensuring the expanding network remains grounded in the principles that shaped the Observatory from the beginning. Strengthening the leadership structure is therefore a natural step to support BCSS’s continued growth with scientific rigor, strong partnerships, and long-term ocean stewardship.”
Dr. Lebrato will continue to play a central role in shaping BCSS’s scientific vision and ensuring that our work is nationally led and remains grounded in rigorous, peer-reviewed research and collaborative international engagement.
Photo by Orlando Miranda & Salvador Colvee: Dr. Mario Lebrato.
Building On-Site Capacity in the BCSS Ocean Observatory
To further strengthen leadership and operational coordination at our flagship site in the Bazaruto Archipelago Ocean Observatory, BCSS will recruit a BCSS Station Manager (Bazaruto Operations Lead).
This position represents a new layer of management within the organisation and reflects BCSS’s commitment to institutionalisation, operational excellence, and long-term national capacity building.
The new Station Manager role will oversee and participate in day-to-day research coordination, operations management, financial oversight, staff supervision, board reporting, and stakeholder engagement at the Bazaruto site. Working closely with the Director of Science and Environment and the senior onsite and remote management teams, the role will ensure seamless integration between local operations and network-level scientific strategy.
Scaling with Purpose
BCSS operates the first permanent Ocean Observatory in Africa (https://bcssmz.org/ocean-observatory-public-database/) focused on multi-ecosystem time-series research in the Western Indian Ocean. From coral reefs and seagrass meadows to mangroves, dugongs, and migrating humpback whales, our programmes are rooted in long-term ecological monitoring, open data, and applied conservation science.
As our scientific platform grows, so does the need for robust institutional structures that support research integrity, operational resilience, and meaningful engagement with government partners, communities, and international collaborators.
The creation of the Station Manager role is a strategic step in this scaling process. It ensures that BCSS continues to strengthen its presence in Mozambique while enhancing coordination across its expanding network.
Photo by Orlando Miranda & Salvador Colvee: Dr. Mario Lebrato.
Recruitment Process
BCSS will shortly open applications for the BCSS Station Manager – Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique.
We are seeking a profile that combines scientific credibility with proven management and coordination experience with groups and teams. A master’s degree in a relevant ocean, environmental, or conservation field will be required. Demonstrated experience in team leadership, budget management, research programme coordination, and fluent English communication will be essential.
While all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, BCSS is particularly committed to strengthening African scientific leadership and welcomes applications from Mozambican and Southern African professionals.
Applications will roll without a fixed deadline, and further details will be shared in the official job announcement.
Photo by Orlando Miranda & Salvador Colvee: BCSS Ocean Observatory
More information:
For questions about this article, please contact:
Ekaterina Kalashnikova, Bazaruto Archipelago – Ocean Observatory Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies ekaterina.kalashnikova@bcssmz.org
To get in touch and collaborate with our research Center , please visit https://bcssmz.org/logistical-support-consultancy/
To learn more about our Scientific Training Program, please see https://bcssmz.org/scientific-training-program/