Nick was born in Wellington, New Zealand, but spent much of his youth in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai and Bahrain. He went to boarding school in England, and afterwards completed a degree in Geology with Chemistry at the University of London (Goldsmiths).
After backpacking around Australasia, Asia and South America, Nick returned to New Zealand and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Hydrology and Masters Degree in Physical Geography at Victoria University of Wellington. Whilst in Wellington he worked as a hydrologist for the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand and Opus International Consultants.
In 2004, Nick was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Geochemistry from Southern Cross University (SCU) in Australia. Afterwards he project managed numerous externally-funded environmental projects at SCU, with particular focus on assessing the environmental hazard associated with acid sulfate soils and sediments.
Nick is now a Technical Team Leader at the Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) at SCU. He is also the course coordinator and a presenter of the Professional Acid Sulfate Soil Short Course program, and a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Nick is a member of the SCU Research Safety Committee and Chair of the Radiation Users Working Group.
After backpacking around Australasia, Asia and South America, Nick returned to New Zealand and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Hydrology and Masters Degree in Physical Geography at Victoria University of Wellington. Whilst in Wellington he worked as a hydrologist for the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand and Opus International Consultants.
In 2004, Nick was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Geochemistry from Southern Cross University (SCU) in Australia. Afterwards he project managed numerous externally-funded environmental projects at SCU, with particular focus on assessing the environmental hazard associated with acid sulfate soils and sediments.
Nick is now a Technical Team Leader at the Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) at SCU. He is also the course coordinator and a presenter of the Professional Acid Sulfate Soil Short Course program, and a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Nick is a member of the SCU Research Safety Committee and Chair of the Radiation Users Working Group.
Work experience
Southern Cross Analytical Research Services
Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University
Technical Team Leader (EAL) (2022-present)
Technical Officer (Commercial & Research Operations) (2021-2022)
Technical Officer (Commercial & Research Operations) (2021-2022)
Link to Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Southern Cross GeoScience
Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University
Technical Officer (Research) (2018-2021)
Project Manager|Postdoctoral Project Officer|Research Associate (2008-2016)
Unit Assessor (2015)
Project Manager|Postdoctoral Project Officer|Research Associate (2008-2016)
Unit Assessor (2015)
Link to Southern Cross GeoScience
Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University
P/T Reporting Specialist (2016-2019)
P/T Laboratory Assistant (2007-2008; 2017-2018)
P/T Laboratory Assistant (2007-2008; 2017-2018)
Link to Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Office of Research/
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research)
Southern Cross University
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research)
Southern Cross University
Research Project Officer (2018)
Research Associate (2017)
Project/Grants/Executive Officer (2016-2017)
Research Associate (2017)
Project/Grants/Executive Officer (2016-2017)
Link to Offices of Research & DVCR
School of
Environmental Science & Management
Southern Cross University
Environmental Science & Management
Southern Cross University
P/T Research Assistant (2007-2008)
Research Associate (2004-2005)
P/T Research Officer (2001-2004)
P/T Tutor/Demonstrator (1998-2002)
Research Associate (2004-2005)
P/T Research Officer (2001-2004)
P/T Tutor/Demonstrator (1998-2002)
Power Engineering Group
Opus International Consultants Ltd.
Opus International Consultants Ltd.
Scientist/Hydrologist (1996-1998)
Technical Specialist Group
Electricity Corporation of New Zealand Ltd.
Electricity Corporation of New Zealand Ltd.
P/T Hydrologist (1994-1996)
Research School of Earth Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
P/T Research Assistant (1994-1996)
Education and training
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
PhD in Environmental Geochemistry
Research examined the process of sulfide oxidation in acid sulfate soil materials & led to the revision of the analytical methods used to determine the potential environmental hazard of these materials.
Research examined the process of sulfide oxidation in acid sulfate soil materials & led to the revision of the analytical methods used to determine the potential environmental hazard of these materials.
Master of Science (MSc Merit)
Masters by thesis in Physical Geography
Research examined the impact of urbanisation on the water quality & hydrology of a stream in Wellington, New Zealand.
Research examined the impact of urbanisation on the water quality & hydrology of a stream in Wellington, New Zealand.
Postgraduate Diploma (DipAppSc)
Postgraduate diploma in Hydrology
Research project on stormwater quality in Wellington city, New Zealand.
Research project on stormwater quality in Wellington city, New Zealand.
Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons)
Honours degree in Geology with Chemistry
Professional experience and skills
- 1Project ManagementExperience in project management having worked on numerous environmental consultancy & research projects.
- 2Reporting SpecialistTechnical reports in areas including: acid sulfate soil assessment, landfill environmental monitoring, water quality monitoring, surface water hydrology, contaminated land assessment & carbon cycling.
- 3Additional Training, Courses & Licences
Instruments: ThermoFisher Multicollector ICP-MS, Horiba Aqualog & particle characterisation analysers (Malvern Morphologi G3-ID, Malvern Zetasizer Nano S, Malvern Mastersizer & Micromeritics 3Flex).
WHS: Safety Support Officer Training. Fire/Emergency Warden Duties & Responsibilities Training. Asbestos Awareness Training.
Radiation: ANSTO Advanced Radiation Safety Officer Training. The Safe Use of Sealed, Unsealed Sources & X-Ray Analysis Equipment in the Laboratory Training. NSW EPA Radiation User Licence.
Biosecurity: Biosecurity Awareness Training. Approved Arrangements for Accredited Persons (Classes 1 to 8) Training.
- 4Other Experience & Skills— Coordination & management of the daily operations of university research & commercial laboratories.
— Coordination of laboratory quality management systems (i.e. NATA).
— Co-author of the National Acid Sulfate Soil Assessment Guidance documents.
— Professional acid sulfate soil short course coordinator & presenter.
— Laboratory analysis of soil, sediment & water samples using various analytical instruments (e.g. XRD, IC, LA-ICP-MS, UV-vis/fluorescence spectrometers, particle size characterisation analysers).
— WHS (e.g. safety inductions, audits, development of SOPs & SWPs).
— Scientific reviewer (including research grant guidelines & applications).
Webpage by Nick Ward
(Last updated: 16 January 2024)
(Last updated: 16 January 2024)
