Scientist

**Role type**: Permanent Full Time

**Location**: Wallaceville, Upper Hutt

**Salary range**: $ $72,781 to $ 96,726 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role
We are looking for a Scientist with extensive, up to date expertise and experience in bacteriology, mycology and molecular biology, who is passionate about protecting New Zealand's primary industries in addition its native animals. This position is based in the Bacteriology and Mycology team within Biosecurity New Zealand's National Animal Health Laboratory.
This role will focus on routine bacteriology and mycology testing, and oversee testing of samples from production, companion and native animal's in addition to difficult to diagnose incursion investigations of exotic and emerging diseases. This role will provide high quality scientific advice on biosecurity diagnostics and readiness, investigation, and response for terrestrial animal diseases.
In the role you will provide professional diagnostic, intellectual and technical advisory services for exotic and endemic diseases for the purposes of health certification, surveillance, investigation, and response, as well as trade facilitation. Biosecurity NZ works closely with industries to maximise opportunities for export, improve sector productivity and sustainability of resources and to protect from biological risks. You will be an integral part of the team, contributing to the development, validation and conduct of diagnostic tests for a wide range of animal diseases. Implementing new technologies, training and mentoring laboratory staff, participating in biosecurity investigations & collaborating with scientists both nationally and internationally.

We work in a dynamic environment and work flexibility is needed to respond to the changing needs of the BNZ, performing tasks as reasonably required. This role represents an opportunity to contribute to New Zealand's biosecurity and to develop and enhance your scientific skills and expertise.

**Key responsibilities include**:

- Oversee detailed diagnostic investigations, including molecular and classical bacteriology, Liaise with MPI Incursion Investigators to obtain case histories and develop differential lists of pathogens. Determine appropriate routine and specialised laboratory/diagnostic test procedures to confirm diagnosis.
- Manage the troubleshooting, development, optimisation and validation of diagnostic methods
- Provide scientific leadership including training and mentoring of laboratory staff in animal diseases.
- Participate in operational research projects designed to improve laboratory testing capability, to survey for animal diseases, and to understand pathogenesis and native species susceptibility.
- Provide expert scientific advice to stakeholders and build collaborative relationships.
- Maintain currency of knowledge in diagnostics and relevant scientific technology.
- Working knowledge of and comply with laboratory standards and regulations (e.g.ISO: 17025, AS/NZS 2243.3, animal ethics, HSNO, containment facilities etc).

Mōu - About You
We are seeking a highly-motivated individual with an extensive experience in microbiology, molecular biology and quality-assured animal health diagnostics will be an advantage.
- Experience with molecular diagnostic techniques
- Experience in classical bacteriology and mycology techniques
- Sound theoretical knowledge of veterinary/medical microbiology
- Understanding of laboratory biocontainment guidelines
- Be an effective communicator
- Is able to learn quickly and enjoy working in a supportive team environment.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
The Ministry for Primary Industries is helping to seize export opportunities for our primary industries, improve sector productivity, ensure the food we produce is safe, increase sustainable resource use, and protect New Zealand from biological risk.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here

**Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua**: - Benefits of working at MPI
- Up to three additional (MPI holidays) leave days
- Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
- Wellness benefit for employees
- Comprehensive one-week MPI Induction Programme
- Parental leave ex-gratia payment
- Bi-annual MPI-paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

See the benefits of working at MPI

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks
Low level Security Clearance
- most preferably a NZ citizen, who has resided continuously in NZ 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, NZ, the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of sui