Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland
 

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.

The Liggins Institute is a large-scale research institute at the University of Auckland. For over two decades, researchers at the Liggins Institute have shown that events during or immediately prior to pregnancy can have an impact on an individual’s lifelong health. We are one of the world’s leading centres for research on fetal and child health, nutrition, development, epigenetics, and translational and implementation science.

Our vision is ‘a healthy start for a healthy life' and our mission is to improve lifelong health through excellent research into the long-term consequences of early life events.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We require an experienced technician or medical laboratory scientist to work full-time in our modern research facility at Grafton, Auckland.  The main function of this position is to provide technical and logistical laboratory support to the Cerebral Palsy project.

The role will utilize various molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid extraction from human samples, quantification of nucleic acids, library preparation, implementation of genomic sequencing using Nanopore technology and CRISPR technology.

This role offers variety and the opportunity to advance your skills every day through exposure to new technologies and techniques. You will be getting in ‘on the ground floor’ of a branch of medical diagnostics with the potential to affect the lives of New Zealand’s most ill neonates. You will work alongside scientists, clinicians and other technical laboratory staff in a truly collaborative environment.

This is a full-time (37.5h per week), fixed term (up to 36 months duration) opportunity.

The salary range for this role is $72,000 - $88,900 based on skills and experience.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

In the Liggins Institute, you will enjoy a close-knit, high performing culture, driven by a shared vision to understand how early life events impact lifelong health. As Liggins Institute former Director Professor Frank Bloomfield said, one of the great things about working at the Liggins Institute is that it “feels like a family”. In addition, you will enjoy working with some high-profile Researchers and contribute to research that is truly life changing for future generations

He kōrero mōu | About you

Our ideal candidate will work efficiently in a multi-disciplinary team, displaying initiative and high levels of organisational skills. To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in biochemistry, biological sciences, medical laboratory science or related field.
• Experience in a bioanalytical research setting and experience or an interest in working with and mentoring post-graduate students is also desirable but not essential.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques associated with sequencing.
• Experience with cell culture and CRISPR base-editing
• A desire to work accurately with a keen attention to detail.
• The ability to work unsupervised and resolve technical issues that may arise.

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 14 November 2025 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

*We reserve the right to close applications early if a suitable candidate is found*

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

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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, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz