Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

If you're interested in a role where you'll get the chance to work with a highly competent, talented and motivated workforce who work to protect New Zealand's primary sector and the environment, then keep reading!

The PHEL laboratories delivers responsive and high-quality diagnostic services and technical expertise to NZ biosecurity area as a leader in New Zealand for plant health diagnostic services. As the Senior Scientist, you'll ensure delivering bioinformatics expertise to support the analysis and interpretation of genomic data, identifying opportunities, and developing new assays where needed under ISO 17025 standards.

You will also research, develop and implement advanced diagnostic techniques, keys, tools and methods as appropriate. Wworking with internal staff, across MPI and external stakeholders to maintain and enhance capability for detection of exotic pests and diseases, including development of new methods, risk analysis, and contingency plans.

Mōu - About You

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• PhD or graduate qualification with relevant experience A strong knowledge of plant or animal health diagnosis and bioinformatics expertise is essential.
• Laboratory experience in molecular biology is essential including experience in emerging technologies such as High-throughput Sequencing (i.e. skills in DNA purification, enrichment of target DNA, PCR, real-time PCR, HTS library preparation, amplicon sequencing, & whole genome sequencing).
• Applying and developing bioinformatic pipelines to identify organisms based on whole-genome and metagenome data.
• Knowledge and experience in developing assays with excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to prepare high quality reports.
• Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Project management skills, including leading projects and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and capacity to plan work in line with priorities and achieve agreed goals on time

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

Our Diagnostics, Readiness and Surveillance Services (DRS) directorate are the guardians of Aotearoa New Zealand's biosecurity. We run several 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 surveillance programme isn't just national – we also work with international partners to monitor biosecurity threats.

We've got a team of highly qualified, passionate science professionals who get to work on projects they're interested in. With employees from over 20 different countries, DRS is one of the most diverse, welcoming teams in MPI.

PHEL is the national reference centre for the identification of all suspected exotic, new and emerging pests and diseases of plants, and arthropod pests affecting the environment and provides diagnostic services to primary industries to facilitate trade. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

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.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment
• Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/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.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?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 midnight on Monday 10th March 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email cassie.a'uvaa@mpi.govt.nz

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