Job Description: Postdoctoral Fellow
The Fellowship is an opportunity for a PhD graduate to further develop
Position Purpose:
their research record while contributing to research outputs associated
with the MBIE-funded project: “Te Awe Mapara, towards a National
Volcano Hazard Model under climatic changes”, which will include
undertaking research aligned with current research programmes.
Department: School of Agriculture and Environment
Location: Palmerston North
Reports to: Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment through the Professor
in Geostatistics, Programme Lead
Responsible for: Co-ordination and support for volcanic hazard and vulnerability projects,
including support for postgraduate students.
Delegations: Nil
Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – Te Awe Mapara
Key relationships: Internal External
Head of School of Agriculture and GNS Science and University of
Environment Canterbury researchers
Group Leader Earth Science Key Stakeholders, including
Volcanic Risk Solutions staff and Department of Conservation
students
Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields
of research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to
community and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and
skills to advance human knowledge and understanding. Working together
across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems
through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while
culturally and artistically enriching our world.
We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating
authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles
through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a
real opportunity for the nation and its people.
Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our
students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to
achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They
experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and
1
cultural strengths, expands their horizons and prepares them to contribute
to a rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative thinking and
leadership.
We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey
campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart
enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on
respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we
do, but by how we do it.
School of Agriculture The School of Agriculture and Environment is a leading international School
and Environment in education and research on the development of sustainable land based
primary industries, and on understanding and managing the geodiversity
and biodiversity of New Zealand’s ecosystems and is a leading international
School in education and research on natural hazards.
Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand

society.

• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and

the people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement

with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that
demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University’s health, safety

and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively
supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety
improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our

students/ stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit

to ongoing personal and professional development.

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.

2

• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and

the communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

Accountabilities
Research Strategy and • Contribute and develop high quality research plans and outputs, and

Delivery achieve the agreed project milestones.

• Contributes when and where appropriate to achieving science goals

of the project.

• Displays a collaborative work ethic, including a team approach that

draws on knowledge and capability from across Massey University,
GNS Science, University of Canterbury and internationally to deliver

best outcomes

• Managing research data sets competently and ethically.
• Contribute to an environment which gives effect to the obligations

of the Treaty of Waitangi.

• Undertake other reasonable duties as and when required by the

Head of School through the Professor in Geostatistics.
Scientific Excellence • Consistently delivers high quality, relevant research through reports

and publications in appropriate international journals.

• Contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge by

presenting at conferences, serving on journal review panels etc.

• Maintains an active involvement in the wider research communities.

Confidentiality, Ethics, • Always maintains a high level of confidentiality.
Health & Safety • Ensures legislative compliance, (e.g., Ethics approvals) and

appropriate data security.

• Thorough understanding and application of local rules, University

Health & Safety policies and legislative requirements; ensuring
compliance and setting standards, e.g. safe working, good

laboratory practices, relevant legal frameworks.

• Report any incidents of non-compliance as appropriate
• Be responsible for one’s own safety and for the safety of others

Qualifications and Experience
PhD in earth science (volcanology) or statistics (i.e. the PhD is conferred
Qualifications:
and the candidate has graduated)
Experience: • Experience in probabilistic and/or computational modelling of

hazards

• Expertise with software such as Matlab, R, or Python

Essential • Experience in working within/across research teams

• Experience in student teaching or supervision would be

advantageous.
3
Capabilities - Behaviour
Communication • Is a creative thinker, inquisitive, is able to visualise and describe
innovative ideas and solutions
Essential • Understands limits of own authority and knows when to consult or

inform others

• Communicates clearly and concisely across a range of forms including

both written and verbal presentations

• Stakeholder friendly; effectively communicates core messages to key

stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality

Technical • An independent thinker able to provide future thought leadership

• Is able to interpret, evaluate and analyse data, information and

Essential processes to support outcomes and make feasible proposals or

recommendations

• Demonstrated ability to write technical reports and research papers

Collaboration • Works co-operatively with other team members to meet collective goals
or performance milestones

Essential • Works effectively with a wide range of people

• Proactively works to build and maintain internal and external

relationships and networks to share knowledge and achieve goals

• Good problem-solving skills and time management; ability to prioritise

Time
workload.

Management

• Takes responsibility for effective and timely completion of own work

Essential

Attitude • Behaves in a fair, honest, consistent, and ethical manner

• Challenges unacceptable, unethical behaviour

Essential • Honours work commitments

• Respects confidentiality
• Sets and models a culture that leverages differences and supports

diversity
Capabilities - Technical

Essential • Current valid Driver’s license

• Knowledge of Health and Safety Compliance requirements as they relate

to the Volcanic Risk Solutions Group.

• Computer literacy with typical Office and general data analysis software

packages.
Pre-employment checks

Essential • Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport or NZ driver license).

• Status of eligibility to work in New Zealand.
• Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.
• Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic Convictions (Security)

Check performed by the Ministry of Justice.

• Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check and English

literacy and competency tests

Please refer the Job description for details