Research Technician - Agriculture and Environment

at  Massey University

Job Description: Research Technician
Position Purpose: To provide skilled technical assistance, to on-farm research projects

within the Whenua Haumanu programme:

• Maintain farmlet Dairy cattle and Sheep studies and field trials at

Massey University’s Dairy 1 and Pasture and Crop Research Unit.

• Collect on-farm samples and data (including but not limited to soil,

water, gas, pasture and animal) from Massey University research
farmlets and partner sites, following protocols established by the

programme team.

• Prepare and submit these samples for analyses, including appropriate

drying, grinding, titrating and basic laboratory analytical procedures.

• Assist in processing and collating these data in preparation for

reporting and publishing (i.e. produce tables and graphs and undertake
basic statistical analysis).
Department: School of Agriculture and Environment
Location: Manawatu
Reports to: Head of School of Agriculture and Environment through the Agriculture
Group Leader
Responsible for: Nil
Delegations: Nil
Job Title: Research Technician
Key relationships: Internal External
Head of School of Agriculture and Ministry for Primary Industries
Environment representatives
Agriculture Group Leader Various Stakeholders in the
Whenua Haumanu Programme Pastoral Sector
Team, including Postgraduate
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
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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.
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.
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.

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• 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 • The primary accountability is to prepare, manage, record accurately,

and analyse research project data.

• To assist with the conduction of each project, by working alongside the

principal researchers, project leader and postgraduate students.

• Maintain farmlet Dairy cattle and Sheep studies and field trials at

Massey University’s Dairy 1 and Pasture and Crop Research Unit.

• Collect on-farm samples and data (including but not limited to soil,

water, gas, pasture and animal) from Massey University research
farmlets and partner sites, following the protocols established by the

programme team.

• To appropriately process for analysis and store experimental samples.

This includes preparing and submitting these samples for analyses by
appropriate external and Massey University laboratories, including
appropriate drying, grinding, titrating and basic laboratory analytical

procedures.

• To encourage collaboration and cooperation with other researchers

within the College/School.

• Conduct other research-related activities as appropriate including the

ordering and management of research supplies, care and maintenance

of research equipment.

• Act to minimise threats to health and safety of staff and students.
• Assist with auditing and documentation of research projects.

Fieldwork

• Maintain farmlets and field trials, including installing fences and water

troughs, sowing seed in plots, application of fertiliser and soil amendments,

controlling weeds.

• Assist in the management of rotational grazing practices for cattle and

sheep, including measuring and allocating pasture, moving stock in and out

of paddocks, and collecting animal data.

• Install and maintain instrumentation, and collect samples from field sites

including soil, water, gas, pasture and animal samples.

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• Any other duties related to the field studies as assigned by the Whenua

Haumanu Operations Manager, and programme leaders.
Laboratory • Process and undertake some laboratory analyses of water, soil, gas, plant

and animal product samples within SAE laboratories.

• Have a fundamental understanding of laboratory practices.
• Best practice standard of Health and Safety and the use of appropriate PPE

in the lab or field situations is undertaken as outlined by Massey University.
Data Processing • Process and quality check data, and help enter data into electronic

databases.

• Collate and analyse data in preparation for reporting

Professional Practice • Carrying out experimental techniques, and recording data outputs.

• Operating, servicing, maintenance, and calibration of research

equipment.

• Recognise and resolve problems, including complex issues, e.g. fault

diagnosis, process improvement.

• Understanding Health & Safety requirements, contributing to risk

assessments, and ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines.

• Training others in processes and procedures, e.g. use of equipment and

experimental techniques.

• Responsive and flexible based on service need. Give task direction to

others when necessary.
The Student • Interacting with and providing guidance, support and training to students
Experience conducting research studies or projects.
Planning & Organising • Some autonomy to prioritise own daily/weekly workload (and of

Resources technical assistants where applicable).

• 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 Health
Compliance & 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.

Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: • A minimum of a Degree or Diploma level in Agricultural, Horticultural
or Animal Science, or alternative relevant science, OR equivalent
technical experience.
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Experience: • Experience with, and strong interest in, field experimentation and data
collection, both manual and automated via electronic equipment.
Capabilities - Behaviour
• Ability to work as part of a team and to communicate effectively with
Communication
colleagues and external stakeholders.

Essential • Have integrity and be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Have well-developed communication skills.
• Have a willingness to learn new skills and accept delegated authority.
• Be self-motivated, able to establish priorities, plan and organise work

Time
according to those priorities.

Management

• Ability to work both cooperatively within a team, and with a minimum of

Essential supervision.

• A willingness to work outdoors, including in inclement weather.

Other

• A willingness to travel to partner sites across New Zealand.

Essential • A willingness to work outside standard working week hours, including

weekend work.

• Have a suitable level of fitness to be able to competently undertake field

work.

• Hold a full driving licence and be competent driving 4WD vehicles,

including farm vehicles.
Capabilities - Technical
Knowledge and • Practical skills to enable use and maintenance of modern research

Understanding equipment.

• Have a fundamental understanding of laboratory and fieldwork safe

practice, and the ability to maintain a safe working environment in

Essential accordance with compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of New Zealand pastoral

systems.
Computer/software • Accurate data collection and ability to record and organise data using

electronic data capture systems. Essential

• Basic understanding of electronics to maintain sensors, dataloggers and

networks.

• Competent with basic IT applications and computer software.

Pre-employment checks
Essential • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.

Please refer the Job description for details