Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Job title: Team Manager Bacteriology and Mycology
Role type: Permanent, full- time
Location: Wellington - Wallaceville
Salary band & range: General Salary Range C $117,035 to $156,888 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga
Join the Animal Health Laboratory at Biosecurity New Zealand, part of the Diagnostics, Readiness & Surveillance Directorate.
In this leadership role, you will manage a team of experts delivering critical diagnostic services for exotic and emerging animal diseases. Key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing diagnostic capabilities in a high-containment PC3+ lab
- Leading operational delivery and ensuring ISO 17025 and biosafety compliance
- Providing technical advice and supporting national and international partnerships
- Contributing to strategic projects and emergency biosecurity responses
About You - Mōu
We're seeking a collaborative leader with strong technical expertise and proven people management skills. You'll bring a postgraduate qualification in a relevant scientific discipline, along with experience managing teams and laboratory operations.
You'll have a strong understanding of biosecurity, diagnostics, and quality systems, and be skilled in stakeholder engagement and project delivery. Your ability to work across organisational boundaries and foster effective collaboration will be key to your success in this role.
About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū
You'll lead a specialist team at the National Biocontainment Laboratory, to deliver high quality scientific interpretation that supports strategic decision making. This is one of several specialist teams (e.g. Virology, Genomics, Immunology) within the Animal Health Laboratory.
The lab is part of the Diagnostics Readiness & Surveillance Directorate and plays a vital role in protecting New Zealand's primary industries. The team is collaborative, diverse, and committed to scientific excellence.
About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.
Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua Additional MPI leave days
- Ability to purchase extra annual leave
- Annual Wellness payment
- Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru
Low level Security Clearance
- most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
- is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
- click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.
If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.
Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at midnight on 29th June 2025
If you have any questions about the role, please email cassie.a'uvaa@mpi.govt.nz
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