Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, with a turnover of $1.3bn, including research revenue of over $300m generated across eight diverse faculties and two research institutes. We employ more than 5400 academic and professional staff to support over 45,000 students, making us one of NZ’s largest employers.

Our mission and values place a strong emphasis on both our student body and our scholarly community, and we work with both community and enterprise to advance the well-being of the peoples of Auckland and New Zealand, with a clear commitment to pursuing sustainability.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora/The School of Biological Sciences is seeking a highly motivated and capable laboratory and Field Technician to provide teaching and research support to the city campus and field trip activities. These field activities include research trips as well as undergraduate day and residential field trips to a range of exciting locations.

The successful candidate will take on a varied role contributing to field and laboratory research management and planning, and supporting teaching and postgraduate study, with a focus on terrestrial ecology. You will enjoy working collaboratively and be skilled in communicating in writing and verbally with staff and students. You will also be able to work independently, have strong resilience, attention to detail combined with sound judgment skills and a strong focus on achieving solutions.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in fulfilling our vision and leading the work we do to ensure the principles of Te Tiriti and manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga are embedded in our work environment.

There are three main duties to this role:

• To provide specialist support to the ecological research and teaching team by bringing strong technical expertise and practical skills in the field and laboratory facilities.
• To apply technical knowledge to the operation of ecology facilities (including shade houses, insectariums, animal husbandry facility, and stores) and ensure their ongoing compliance with health and safety, containment, and ethics regulations. 
• To provide effective planning, advice, risk assessment, and ongoing monitoring to support the health and safety of field activities.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

The Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland is the leading science faculty in New Zealand and one of the largest in Australasia sitting comfortably with the top echelon of science faculties world-wide. It undertakes world-class research across the physical, biological and computational sciences and offers a wide range of subjects and specialisations to more than 8,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying across 10 different schools and departments.

The Faculty of Science’s Technical Services Team comprises over 100 technical staff providing specialist support to the Faculty’s academic staff and students across 9 of the 10 Departments. They contribute technical knowledge and expertise to research and teaching activities while ensuring the ongoing operation and compliance of a vast range of laboratories, workshops, teaching facilities, research equipment, vehicles and boats.

This position primarily supports Te Kura Mātauranga Koiora/the School of Biological Sciences (SBS). SBS currently employs 150 academic staff, with over 160 research students and 1000 undergraduate and coursework students, incorporating diverse research activities organised into three key discipline areas: Biomedical and Human Biology; Cellular, Molecular and Physiological Biology; and Ecology, Evolution and Behavioural Biology. SBS is home to the University of Auckland’s first and oldest Tuākana programme (est. 1991).

He kōrero mōu | About you

We are looking for someone with a Post-graduate degree in Ecology, Botany, Zoology, or other relevant fields, as well as 3+ years of practical fieldwork and outdoors experience including data collection and completing research. 

You will need to have:

• Scientific expertise in ecology or related fields (such as botany, zoology, herpetology, ornithology, entomology, GIS)
• Practical experience with health & safety compliance in a research and teaching environment, particularly in outdoor/field-based activities
• Excellent time management, and organisation skills in planning and managing field trips for large groups
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail and ability to provide accurate record-keeping

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 9 January 2022 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

Please reach out to Peter Schlegel via [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Covid-19 Vaccination

The University of Auckland is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of our staff and students.  All students, staff and visitors need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or medically exempt, in order to come onto our campuses or to take part in face-to-face University-managed activities. Therefore, we are only able to consider applicants who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a New Zealand Ministry of Health issued medical exemption and evidence of this will be requested as part of your employment. You can read more about the University’s vaccination policy here.

Overseas Applicants

In accordance with our commitment to equitable recruitment, the University welcomes applications from all suitably qualified and experienced candidates. In response to COVID-19 the New Zealand Government has imposed a travel ban and are currently only allowing New Zealand Residents, Citizens and visa holders meeting a strict exception policy to enter the country, all of whom must currently enter Government approved quarantine for seven days on arrival.  

It is uncertain when these border restrictions will change, and this may impact the degree to which an offshore candidate can engage in the interview process; or be available to commence in a new position. For more information and updates on the border restrictions visit the Immigration New Zealand website or the New Zealand Government’s official Covid-19 website.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz