Senior Scientist, Quality Assurance | Auckland Landcare Research

Job Description

Role type: Permanent, Full-Time

Location: Auckland

Salary range: $78,817 – 92,726 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

If you're interested in a role where you'll get the chance to work with a highly competent, talented and motivated workforce who work to protect New Zealand's primary sector and the environment, then keep reading!

The Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) delivers responsive and high-quality diagnostic services and technical expertise to New Zealand's biosecurity area as a leader in New Zealand for plant health diagnostic services.  As the Senior Scientist, Quality Assurance, you'll ensure our laboratories' assays are continually fit for purpose by reviewing them against recent scientific publications, identify the gaps and developing new assays where needed to get the accreditation to ISO 17025.

In addition, the Senior Scientist researches, develops and implements advanced diagnostic techniques, keys, tools and methods as appropriate, actively working with internal staff and external stakeholders to maintain and enhance capability for detection of exotic pests and diseases. This includes the development of new methods, risk analysis, and contingency plans.

Mōu - About You

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• PhD or equivalent experience.
• A strong knowledge of plant health diagnosis and molecular biology is essential.
• Laboratory experience in molecular biology is essential. Experience in emerging technologies (e.g., High-throughput Sequencing) is preferable.
• Knowledge and experience in developing assays with excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to prepare high quality reports.
• Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Project management skills, including leading projects.
• Ability to work independently and capacity to plan work in line with priorities and achieve agreed goals on time.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

Our Diagnostic and Surveillance Services (DSS) directorate are the guardians of Aotearoa New Zealand's biosecurity. We run a number of targeted and passive biosecurity surveillance programmes at any one time, identifying new pests and diseases that make it past our borders, providing research and analysis on their impact, and supporting eradication where we can. Our surveillance programme aren't just national – we also work with international partners to monitor biosecurity threats.

One of our greatest assets is our people. We've got a team of highly qualified, passionate science professionals who get to work on projects they're interested in. With employees from over 20 different countries, DSS is one of the most diverse, welcoming spaces in MPI.

PHEL is the national reference centre for the identification of all suspected exotic, new and emerging pests and diseases of plants, and arthropod pests affecting the environment and provides diagnostic services to primary industries to facilitate trade. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025.

Our team is dedicated, diverse and highly supportive that operates in a busy and varied environment to deliver our core work programme supporting New Zealand's biosecurity system and our stakeholders.

Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working

We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Work in Aotearoa New Zealand's highest level post-entry quarantine plant facility

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on 17 February 2023.

If you have any questions about the role, please email tegan.parry-thompson@mpi.govt.nz 

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