Senior Technician Aquatic Animal Diseases | Wellington - Wallaceville

Job Description

Senior Technician – Aquatics Animal Diseases

Role type: Permanent, Full-Time

Location: Wallaceville, Upper-Hutt

General Salary Range: G $67,658 to $89,957 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking a Senior Technician to work in our Aquatic Animal Diseases (AAD) team. As the Senior Technician, Aquatic Animal Diseases, you'll work with other leading scientists, bringing your own unique knowledge to bear on challenging biosecurity questions. 

You'll provide intellectual and technical expertise to the AAD team, enhancing our ability to respond to high-priority infectious animal diseases. Alongside this, you'll mentor others within Biosecurity New Zealand to help develop their knowledge and skills.

About You - Mōu

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• BSc or post graduate qualification in a relevant scientific field.
• Molecular techniques validations and troubleshooting (PCR).
• Cell-based Aquatics virology.
• Knowledge and experience of microbiological laboratories.
• Planning, coordination, organising, teamwork, leadership.
• Leading technical projects.
• Experience of quality assurance systems.
• Knowledge and experience on standards and regulations impacting on laboratory work (e.g.ISO:17025, AS/NZS 2243.3, animal ethics, HSNO).
• Excellent written skills: a demonstrated ability to produce written material that is concise, fluent and clearly presented.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Our Diagnostic, Readiness Surveillance Services (DRS) 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 laboratory programmes aren't just national – we also work with international partners to monitor biosecurity threats.

One of our greatest assets is our people. We are a team of highly qualified, passionate science professionals who get to work on an extensive range of organisms and projects. With employees from over 20 different countries, DRS is one of the most diverse, welcoming spaces in MPI.

Our design-award winning Wallaceville biocontainment laboratory is one of the newest, most advanced biocontainment labs in the world. Opened in 2021, it's the most complex building in New Zealand. All our labs are reference labs, so you can expect to be challenged by complex diagnostic investigations.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

 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 11:59 Wednesday 8 October 2025

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

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