Research Associate

**Research Associate**
**Sensory & Consumer Science**
**Mt Albert, Auckland, New Zealand**
**Vacancy number 59499**
**Permanent fulltime (38 hours per week)**
- Do you thrive in a collaborative research environment where every day brings new challenges and variety?
- Are you eager to grow your research capability, learning from leading scientists who are shaping the future of sensory and consumer science?
- Are you driven to make an impact in contributing to research that supports innovation and delivers real-world outcomes?

**What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua**

As a Research Associate in Sensory & Consumer Science, you'll play a key role in designing, conducting, and analysing research that helps our industry partners and stakeholders better understand consumer preferences, product perception, and sensory drivers of choice.

In this role, you will:

- Assist the Sensory & Consumer Science team in preparing and setting up tasting panels.
- Implement sensory and consumer science projects, administering surveys and ensuring data is collected and processed according to established methodologies.
- Manage data and supporting materials, summarising results, preparing graphics, and contributing to reports and publications.
- Maintain the laboratory and research environment, including product sourcing, sample preparation, booth setup, and ensuring food safety, compliance, and cleanliness standards are met.
- Build and maintain professional relationships, working collaboratively with internal teams, research participants, and external partners.

**What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako**

To be successful in this role, you will bring a combination of relevant qualifications, practical experience, and flexibility.

The minimum qualifications and experience required are:

- A bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a consumer-related discipline (or equivalent experience in a relevant food-related research environment).
- Experience in food handling would be an advantage.
- Previous experience working within a research team environment preferred.
- Flexibility to work evenings during busy seasonal periods (particularly March to September) and occasionally outside these months. Weekend work is uncommon but may occasionally be required.
- Willingness and ability to taste a wide range of products (includes kiwifruit, apples, pears, seafood, meat products, beer, wine, honey, dairy products, wheat, hops and much more).
- Willingness and ability to travel nationally or internationally if required.
- A full New Zealand driver's licence.

A copy of the Position Description is available for you to view once you click on the 'apply' button.

**What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga**

At PFR, we offer excellent employee benefits and flexibility, such as;
- Four weeks annual leave, additional 7 days' leave and generous paid parental leave
- Excellent benefit choices in retirement savings and wellbeing & health
- Focus on health and wellbeing with enhanced sick leave
- Ongoing career development opportunities

**About us | Ko wai mātou**

Plant & Food Research, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenau and Scion came together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Now, we are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.

This position sits under the current Plant & Food Research group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

We welcome applicants who are excited to join us on this change journey.

Job Details
- Crown research institute
- Plant & Food Research
- Reference #
- 59499
- Posted on
- 16 Oct 2025
- Closes on
- 09 Nov 2025 23:55
- Location(s)
- Auckland
- Expertise
- Science, Animal Science, Forage Science, Food & Bio-based products, Farm Systems & Environment, Support services, Knowledge & Analytics, Finance & Business Performance, Technology & Digital Services, Infrastructure, People & Culture, Partnerships & Programmes, Marketing & Communications, CEO Office, Research Director, Research Office, Grasslanz, Grasslanz, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, Agricultural & Food Science, Animal Production, Aquaculture, Crop Production, Farm & Orchard Management, Food Science & Technologies, Forest Management, Pastoral Science, Plant & Animal Products, Seafood Technologies, Sensory & Consumer Science, Textiles & Material Science, Viticulture & Oenology, Biological Sciences, Animal Biology, Cell Biology, Plant Biology, Plant Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Biosecurity, Chemistry, Toxicology, Earth & Geological Sciences, Geology, Hydrogeology, Soil Science,