Science technician might not be a job you hear much about at career evenings, but it plays a key role in how science gets done. Ollie Twigge, a physical oceanographer with Oceanly, talks with science communicator Heather Goodey about how his work combines his love for the ocean, practical skills, and environmental values. From designing ocean instruments to collecting data that supports climate research, Ollie shows how science is a team effort and how different skills are essential to advancing scientific knowledge.
Early life and education
Born in Norwich, UK, Ollie spent his childhood in the small town of Diss, and summers in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, New Zealand, where his Kiwi mum’s family lived. At Diss High School, Ollie chose Biology as his favourite subject but also enjoyed Chemistry and Mathematics.
“I didn’t do physics at school, which is funny because now I am a physical oceanographer,” says Ollie.
At University of Lincoln (UK), Ollie studied biology, initially he had a strong interest in human physiology and biochemistry, but eventually he found a passion for plant biology. His fascination with microscopic life led him to phytoplankton and algae, which play a vital role in ocean ecosystems. Despite his interest in Science, Ollie realised early on at university that working in a laboratory long term was not going to be the right choice for him, once he discovered field work, he was hooked.
Connecting skills, passion and values with scientific work
Ollie’s first jobs were in hospitality, managing coffee shops and learning how to multitask and communicate under pressure. These skills have proven surprisingly useful in science, especially when working in teams and solving technical problems.
His first science job involved testing pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers to find out how much and for how long these chemicals would persist in the environment and potentially make their way into the food web. One of the ways he analysed samples was with a very old HPLC analyser (high-performance liquid chromatography). He found himself more excited about fixing the HPLC analyser than running the tests, leading him toward a career in science instrumentation and technology.
From here, Ollie found a role that better aligned with his values but still incorporated his skills in using and maintaining the HPCL analyser. Ollie worked at a UK marine research institute, where he analysed nutrients, salinity, and oxygen in ocean samples. If nutrient loads are too high it can lead to eutrophication; a process which leads to algal blooms and oxygen-depleted water.
“Basically, we were testing to answer the question, how healthy is the water?” says Ollie
From data analysis to data collection and instrument design
Ollie moved from analysing data to data collection, working on smart buoy networks in the estuaries and coastal waters. He joined fieldwork teams, deploying instruments and collecting samples at sea. This hands-on experience helped him connect the dots between data collection, instrument design, and environmental kaitiakitanga.
At the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, Ollie worked on large-scale ocean monitoring projects, designing moorings and underwater instrument arrays that could withstand harsh ocean conditions. He learned to balance cost, durability, and scientific needs, helping researchers gather reliable data in extreme environments.
Since moving to New Zealand and joining NIWA[1], Ollie has become a lead technician, designing and deploying instruments for various projects including:
- Kaikōura Canyon sediment studies (post-earthquake)
- Antarctic Southern Ocean moorings
- Tongan volcano eruption monitoring
- Wave buoys around New Zealand
He now leads projects, calibrates instruments, processes data; and spends weeks at sea collecting data. Ollie enjoys the variety in his work, a mix of field work, problem solving and technical design.
Local knowledge and collaboration local iwi
In coastal projects, Ollie’s works with local iwi to understand environmental conditions and ensure instruments are placed respectfully and effectively. This collaboration brings valuable insights and strengthens the connection between science and community.
Challenges to overcome
Retrieving data from the ocean isn’t as simple as plugging in a USB. As Ollie explains, many of the instruments used to monitor ocean conditions are deployed deep below the surface –often hundreds or even thousands of metres down– to better understand deep ocean processes and circulation. These instruments can’t transmit data in real time unless they’re connected to a surface buoy, which isn’t always practical or safe. Instead, they rely on acoustic releases to detach from the seafloor and float to the surface, where they can be recovered. Even then, rough seas, equipment failure, or miscalculations can make retrieval difficult, putting months or years of valuable data at risk.
Valuable results: Understanding the ocean to understand the climate
One of Ollie most important contributions is researching the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a massive ocean current system that regulates global climate. As Arctic ice melts, this current slows, signalling major climate shifts. Ollie work helps scientists explain how sea ice formation drives deep ocean currents, and how changes in temperature and salinity affect global systems. His work helps scientists track these changes and predict future impacts.
Why science matters to Ollie
“We’re still finding new species, new processes every day. And with the right tools, we can help monitor and protect the planet,” says Ollie.
Ollie is driven by curiosity, climate awareness and the power of technology. For Ollie, science is not just about knowing facts, it’s about asking questions, solving problems and communicating ideas that shape our world.
[1] NIWA has since merged with GNS to become Earth Science New Zealand
Ngā kupu
pūtaio: science
kaimātai: specialist, —ologist
kaimātai pūtaio: scientist
tiakitanga: guardianship, caring of, protection, upkeep