Senior Scientist | Wellington - Wallaceville

Job Description

Senior Scientist Genomics

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: General Salay Range D: $98,955 - $115,691 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are looking for a Senior Scientist with expertise in genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, who is enthusiastic about protecting New Zealand's primary industries in addition to its native animals. This position is based in the Genomics team within New Zealand's National Animal Health Laboratory in Wallaceville, Upper Hutt.

The Senior Scientist role will have a focus on providing expertise to support generation, analysis, and interpretation of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data through development and implementation of infrastructure, processes, and tools. They will be confident to train and mentor others in the laboratory procedures for sequencing, data processing methods, and in bioinformatic analysis.

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic environment where work flexibility is required to respond to the changing needs of the MPI, performing tasks as reasonably required.

Key responsibilities include:

Enhance MPI's capability and use of NGS technology and bioinformatics through:

• Implementing innovative concepts, tools and techniques related to the analysis, integration, and processing of high-throughput NGS data.
• Providing analysis and interpretation of NGS data generated both internally and externally.
• Proactively working with others to maximize the benefits of the technology
• Publishing high quality peer reviewed scientific, technical and policy papers
• Contributing to public databases i.e. NCBI, GISAID
• Maintaining, developing, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders in New Zealand and internationally, including industry, Māori, government, and non-government agencies to support our goals.
• Increasing MPIs knowledge of new science, technologies, and innovations through developing and maintaining relationships with key science and technology providers.
• Implementing new technologies, training, and mentoring laboratory staff, participating in biosecurity investigations & collaborating with scientists both nationally and internationally.

About You - Mōu

We are seeking an initiative-taking individual with a PhD in genetics/molecular biology and a high level of NGS understanding and experience.  Experience in quality-assured animal health diagnostics will be an advantage.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have experience with molecular diagnostic techniques, specifically sequencing technologies (Sanger, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore)
• Ability to train and mentor others in the wet-lab processes associated with sequencing.
• Ability to provide consultations with key internal stakeholders regarding sequencing experiment design.
• Experience with designing QA systems for genomics
• Understand laboratory biocontainment guidelines and have a working knowledge of laboratory standards and regulations (e.g.ISO:17025, AS/NZS 2243.3, animal ethics, HSNO, containment facilities etc).
• Ability to write clear, concise genomics reports that adhere to international guidelines.
• Be able to learn and adapt quickly to new challenges and enjoy working in a collaborative team environment.
• An understanding of global pathogens of interest from a genomics perspective, and the impacts they might have on NZ.

 About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The genomics team currently comprises 6 people with a broad depth of experience in genomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology, we work collaboratively with other disciplinary teams on aquatic and terrestrial animal pathogens at the Animal Health Laboratory to provide accurate and timely diagnostics crucial to biosecurity.  

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu

Our role includes seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector, improving sector productivity, ensuring the food we produce is safe, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

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

• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Study assistance may be available
• Professional membership reimbursement

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

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

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau 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 Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; 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 11:59pm on Sunday, 20 July 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email Guy.Kershaw@mpi.govt.nz

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