Research Officer

at  Massey University

Research Officer (Food Digestion)
Position Purpose: The purpose of this position is to undertake research as part of the Riddet
Institute Centre of Research Excellence programme on models of digestion in
the human gastrointestinal tract, and specifically the characterisation of foods in
in vitro digestion models and the improvement of those models .
Department: Riddet Institute
Location: Palmerston North
Reports to: Director, Riddet Institute
Responsible for: Nil.
Delegations: Nil.
Job Title: Research Officer
Key relationships: Internal External
Dr Alejandra Acevedo-Fani University of California, Davis: Prof. Gail
Bornhorst
University of Auckland: Prof. Leo Cheng
CoRE Research Partners
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.
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About this area The Riddet Institute is a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) that integrates
partner organisations (Massey University (host), Auckland and Otago
Universities, AgResearch and Plant & Food Research) and disciplines.
Collectively, this leads to a “NZ Inc” approach to food research (and related
disciplines) and generates knowledge and capability that transforms New
Zealand and 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.

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Accountabilities
Research Strategy and • Contributes and develops high quality research plans, outputs and
Delivery achievement of project milestones relevant to food structure and food

breakdown in in vitro models of the human gastrointestinal tract.

• Contributes to work that provides solutions to complex problems and results

in the generation of new knowledge, IP, patents, policy and products.

• In collaboration with staff across the Riddet Institute, identifies new

opportunities for delivering food solutions that will grow the NZ economy

and which advance scientific knowledge and theory.

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

knowledge and capability from across the Centre of Research Excellence to
deliver best outcomes.
Science Excellence • Consistently delivers high quality, relevant research through publication in

appropriate international journals.

• Provides mentoring and coaching to postgraduate students (where relevant)

to enhance the development of capabilities in food and biological
engineering with a particular focus on in vitro model development and

testing to understand digestion behaviour of food materials.

• Contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge by presenting at

conferences, serving on journal review panels, chairing conference sessions

etc.

• Maintains an active involvement in the wider food science communities

which extends and promotes personal and Riddet Institute recognition both
nationally and internationally.
Other Projects and • Undertakes other reasonable duties as and when required
Health and Safety • Ensures legislative compliance, (e.g., Department of Labour, HSNO, EPA

Animal and Human Ethics) and appropriate data security.

• Complies with health and safety policies as set by Massey University, and

legislature and at all times, makes safety of themselves and others in the
workplace the priority.
Any other duties as required by the Director (or nominee).
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Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: PhD in food science, food engineering or related disciplines
Experience: • Strong understanding of in vitro digestion models, particularly dynamic models,

is desirable

• Experience in quantitative and statistical analysis is required
• Experience in characterising physical properties of food and biological materials

(e.g. food texture, rheology) is desirable

• Demonstrated track record of working in multidisciplinary teams with strong

communication skills is required

• Expertise in material surface characterisation and 3D printing is desired
• Knowledge of digestive physiology is desirable, but not essential
• Ability to collaborate with engineers in the design and modification of in vitro

models is desirable.

• Proven track record in delivering against research project objectives.
• Excellent track record for the career stage is required.

Capabilities - Behaviour
Communication • Communicates clearly and concisely.
Essential • Proactively works to build and maintain internal and external relationships and

networks to share knowledge and achieve goals.

• Understands limits of own authority and knows when to consult or inform

others.
Collaboration • Works effectively with a wide range of people.

Essential • Sets and models a culture that leverages differences and supports diversity.

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

performance milestones.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other research groups and industry.

Time • Takes responsibility for effective and timely completion of own work.
Management
Essential
Attitude • Behaves in a fair, honest, consistent and ethical manner.

Essential • Challenges unacceptable, unethical behaviour.

• Honours work commitments.
• Respects confidentiality.

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Capabilities - Technical
Technical • Proven use of relevant and ethical scientific methodologies.

Desirable • Demonstrated ability to write technical reports and research papers.

• Creative thinker, inquisitive, can visualize and describe innovative ideas and

solutions.

• Can interpret, evaluate and analyse data, information and processes to support

outcomes and make feasible proposals or recommendations.
Pre-employment checks
Pre-employment • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check (if applicable).
checks: • Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic convictions (Security) check.
Essential

Please refer the Job description for details