Senior Scientist, Genomics Ahl

**Role Type**: Fixed-term, full-time

**Location**: Wellington - Upper Hutt

**Salary Band**: $92,726 to $ 108,321 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Scientist with expertise in genomics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, to join our brand-new Genomics Team as a Senior Scientist Genomics.
The Senior Scientist role will have a focus on providing genomics expertise to support generation, analysis, and interpretation of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data.

**The key accountabilities of this position include**:

- Implementing innovative concepts, tools and techniques related to the analysis, integration, and processing of high-throughput NGS data
- Proactively working with others to maximize the benefits of the technology
- 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

Mōu - About You
We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a PhD in genetics/molecular biology with a high level of NGS and bioinformatics understanding and experience. Experience in quality-assured animal health diagnostics will be an advantage.
- Have experience with molecular diagnostic techniques, specifically sequencing technologies (NGS, Sanger, Nanopore)
- Have an excellent scientific track record
- Be an effective communicator
- PhD or equivalent in a relevant field
- Two plus years' relevant laboratory experience.
- High level understanding of animal disease and pathogens relevant to specialist area of work.
- Ability to lead scientific projects.
- Be able to learn quickly and enjoy working in a supportive team environment.
- 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).

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
The newly assembled genomics team comprises; Team Manager, Principal Scientist (bioinformatician), 2 Senior Scientists (one wet lab, one bioinformatician) and a Scientist (wet lab). Our Genomics team provide A focus of our work is looking at how employment of genomic sequencing technology can improve upon existing diagnostic tests. Other work done by the genomics team includes identification and classification of known and unknown pathogens from the interest point of genomic surveillance.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources. 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.
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
- Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
- Work with some of the best scientific minds in the country
- Work from one of the most technologically advanced biocontainment laboratories in the world

Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working
We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
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 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've got 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, DSS is one of the most diverse, welcoming spaces in MPI.
Then there's our facilities. 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. We are seeking highly qualified people - critical