Senior Adviser Food Science | Wellington City

Job Description

Senior Adviser (Food Science)

Role type: Full time, fixed term through to mid-July 2027

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: GSR D $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking a Senior Adviser (Food Science) to join our Food Science team to play a critical role in providing scientific and technical advice to shape New Zealand's food standards and food policy!

Working at the intersection of science, regulation, and public health, you will help ensure New Zealanders can trust the safety and integrity of their food, while also supporting innovation and enabling trade. This role offers the chance to work on nationally and internationally significant issues, collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, and make a real, lasting impact.

This opportunity focuses on continuing critical work programmes during a period of parental leave cover. You will be closely involved in activities relating to food labelling that require strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Key responsibilities are to:

• Provide expert science and technical advice to support food standards development, policy, and risk management decisions, with a focus on food composition and food labelling
• Support and input into Trans-Tasman food regulatory activities, aligned with New Zealand priorities
• Contribute to and lead operational research projects
• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international stakeholders

About You - Mōu

We are looking for a motivated, collaborative professional who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment and can apply scientific rigour to real-world regulatory challenges.

You will bring:

• Degree-level qualifications in nutrition, food science, food technology, or a closely related discipline
• At least three years' experience in food regulation, nutrition, food science, or a related field
• The ability to clearly communicate complex scientific information to diverse audiences
• An interest in contributing to work that supports public health, trusted trade, and good regulatory practice

• Experience or strong interest in food composition and food labelling
• Sound skills in analysing and interpreting scientific data and literature
• The ability to quickly get up to speed and contribute effectively within an established work programme
• A collaborative mindset and clear written and verbal communication skills

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Food Science team sits within the Food Science and Risk Assessment directorate of New Zealand Food Safety. The team brings together scientific and technical expertise across food science and technology, nutrition science and dietetics, risk analysis, and social science. Working in a close-knit team of principals, senior advisers/specialists, and an adviser, you will collaborate widely across MPI and with domestic and international partners. The work of the team directly supports protecting public health, maintaining confidence in New Zealand's food system, and enabling trusted trade.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Access to free professional confidential counselling

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 29th of June 2026

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

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