Research Laboratory Technician

at  Massey University

Technician – Research
Position Purpose: The purpose of this position is to contribute to the delivery of the research aims,
including laboratory analysis and technical support for projects associated with
the Riddet Institute Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) research programme
and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) funded
research project “Plant-based Ingredients”.
Department: Riddet Institute
Location: Palmerston North
Reports to: Technical Manager
Responsible for: Nil
Delegations: Nil
Job Title: Technician - Research
Key relationships: Internal External
Riddet Institute research staff AgResearch
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 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.
About this area The Riddet Institute is a world-best research centre in food and nutritional
sciences, providing fundamental scientific understanding and training for a new
generation of science leaders. The Riddet Institute Centre of Research
Excellence (CoRE) integrates partner organisations (Massey University (host),
Auckland and Otago Universities, AgResearch and Plant & Food Research) and
disciplines, leading a “NZ Inc” approach to food research, and generates
knowledge and capability that transforms the New Zealand food industry.
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.
• 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.
• 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 Assistance • Execute planned research activities and work independently on

assigned research projects.

• Assist with the characterisation of the physicochemical properties and

functionality of plant-based protein-rich and protein-depleted food

materials.

• Appropriately process and store experimental samples.
• Assist with the conduction of each project, by working alongside the

principal researchers.

• Prepare, manage, record accurately, analyse research project data, and

provide discussion on what the results and data may mean.

• Conduct other research-related activities as appropriate including the

care and maintenance of research equipment, and ensure research

supplies are restocked when required.

• Support the development of high-quality experimental protocols as

required.

• Regularly communicate and interact with project leaders and key

project staff.

• Act to minimise threats to health and safety of staff and students.

Laboratory Work • Assist with laboratory analyses of experimental samples.

• Have a fundamental understanding of laboratory practices.
• Keeping good records of experimental data and following a data

management plan.

• Development and maintenance of high-quality experimental protocols

as required.

• Executing planned research activities and working independently on

assigned research projects.

• Set-up equipment, sourcing and preparing materials, performing

experimental procedures.

• Set up and carry out laboratory work as instructed in a precise and

thorough manner.

• Best practice standard of Health and Safety and the use of appropriate

PPE in the lab.

Professional Practice • Carry out experimental techniques, and record data outputs

• Recognise problems, and if required obtain appropriate support to

solve the problem(s) • Ensure stocks of lab materials and consumables are ordered when

required

• Understanding Health & Safety requirements, contributing to risk

assessments, and ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines
Planning & Organising • Some autonomy to prioritise own daily/weekly workload.

Resources • Complete work allocated according to the timetables.

• Ensure key daily and weekly tasks are completed in a timely manner

whilst allowing time to respond to urgent requests.

• Planning resource requirements in advance e.g., ensuring availability of

functional research equipment, data handling, consumables availability;
to meet scheduled support activities.
Governance and • Thorough understanding and application of local rules, University
Compliance 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

Other • Other duties as prescribed by the Technical Manager or project
supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: A relevant tertiary qualification in science (preferably in food science, chemistry
and/or biochemistry)

Experience: • Experience working in a food chemistry laboratory.

• Experience using food material characterisation equipment such as

rheometer, Mastersizer, Zetasizer, microscopy and/or tensiometer.

• Experience with electrophoresis methods (SDS-PAGE, native PAGE, etc).
• Experience with fractionation methods for plant-based materials (seeds,

grains, etc) is desirable.

• Working knowledge in techno-functional properties of food ingredients is

preferable.
Capabilities - Behaviour
Communication • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Essential • A friendly and willing manner to communicate with a wide range of people.

• Confident in networking and maintaining professional working relationships.

Time • Ability to organise and prioritise tasks in accordance with proven time
Management management skills.

Essential • Committed to delivering results.

• The ability to organise methodically and prioritise to meet multiple deadlines.

Collaboration • Treats colleagues and students with respect.
Essential • Ability to work effectively in a team.
Attitude • A fast learner with willingness to learn and acquire new skills
Essential • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills in the laboratory

environment

• Displays and promotes ethical work practices.
• A friendly and willing manner to undertake activities as requested by supervisors.
• Ongoing commitment to quality improvement including professional and

personal development.

• Ability to be proactive and use initiative, with an understanding of when to check

with supervisor.

• Understands the need to maintain confidentiality to protect IP.

Capabilities - Technical
Technical • Experience working confidently and independently in a PC2 laboratory.
expertise • Working knowledge on protein, lipid, carbohydrate and fibre functionality.

Essential • Ability to review and analyse data.

• Good Microsoft Office skills (e.g. excel).

Pre-employment checks
Pre-employment checks: • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation check (if applicable).
Essential • Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic convictions (Security) check.

Please refer the Job description for details