48419 Scientist - Plant Microbiology - Plant & Food Research

Microbial Ecology

Lincoln, New Zealand

Fixed-Term, Full Time position (8-months)

Salary Range: $75,610 to $113,415

Vacancy number 48419

Are you looking for a new opportunity to practise your scientific skills? Our Microbial Ecology team is looking for an experienced Scientist to provide support while a key team member is away on Parental Leave. With a focus on molecular biology and bioinformatics, this position will help to advance scientific knowledge and develop and apply technologies in Plant Microbiology as pertaining to the food and horticulture industries in New Zealand.

What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua

Within our Lincoln-based team of plant microbiologists this position will contribute to delivering excellent science to our clients and enhancing the Team's reputation for high quality, timely output.

The key skills for this position are molecular biology and bioinformatics with a general understanding of applied plant microbiology. The scientist will participate in a range of research projects that support the health and/or productivity of natural and managed ecosystems.

As a key member of the Microbial Ecology team your focus will be to:

• Contribute to all stages of research projects aimed at supporting the horticultural and arable industries in New Zealand.
• Develop and maintain relevant science and technology capabilities.
• Contribute to authorship of papers and reports resulting from the projects.
• Support a high-performance collegial science culture with a strong focus on delivering outputs, outcomes and impacts to our internal and external clients and collaborators.

What you will bring | Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A PhD in plant microbiology, and experience in the application of molecular tools and bioinformatics to plant microbiology research.
• Capability in the collection, analysis and reporting of scientific data appropriate to plant microbiology research.
• An organised and methodical approach to tasks, commitment to effective project management and ability to plan work schedules to meet agreed deadlines.
• Flexibility to work on a range of different pathogen/crop host combinations and the willingness to engage in field experimentation as required.

What you will get | Ngā hua o tēnei tūranga

The opportunity to work within a friendly, team-based environment that encourages and supports work-life balance, and to contribute to exciting projects with an organisation which has an excellent reputation for its science and for being a great place to work!  At PFR, we offer excellent employee benefits and flexibility, such as:

• Additional 6 days leave and other generous leave entitlements
• Flexible work - work from home and flexible hours
• Ongoing development and excellent career opportunities
• The option of subsidised health insurance and additional employer superannuation contribution

About us | Ko wai mātou

At Plant & Food Research, we believe science can create a better future. By finding smarter, greener options today, we're helping secure the world we want to live in tomorrow. With our partners, we use world-leading science and technology to improve the way they grow, fish, harvest, create, preserve and share food. Every day, we have 1000 people working across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world to help develop and deliver healthy foods from the world's most sustainable food systems.