Position Description

 

POSITION:                                                       Scientist – Applied Entomology

 

PORTFOLIO:                                                  Bioprotection

 

GROUP:                                                           Applied Entomology

 

TEAM:                                                               Disinfestation

 

RESPONSIBLE TO:                          Team Leader - Disinfestation

 

LOCATION:                                       Palmerston North Research Centre

 

TENURE:                                                          Permanent

 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:                     Internal:

Scientists and technical staff within the Disinfestation team, as well as members of other Plant & Food research teams involved in collaborative projects (e.g., chemists, biometricians, business managers, entomologists, postharvest physiologists)

                                                                            External:

Plant & Food Research clients (e.g., MAF, forestry and horticultural industries and support organisations), collaborators in other CRIs (e.g., Scion), and overseas researchers conducting similar research.

 

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:           

 

To provide scientific leadership in the development and implementation of new disinfestation technologies for horticultural and forest products, and for a wide range of border biosecurity products and issues. 

 

One of the team’s key responsibilities is to develop techniques for reducing the use of, and to find alternatives to, methyl bromide as a fumigant.   The scientist will work alongside the team leader and business managers to understand and address fumigation issues affecting New Zealand’s perishable and durable crop export industries and to help build effective relationships with these stakeholders.

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Conduct and deliver high quality research in the area of quarantine treatments and disinfestation technologies with a focus on insect pests that impede the export of perishable (horticultural) and durable (forest) crops from New Zealand to overseas markets.

• Responsible for the design and implementation of research projects in the area of postharvest pest management specifically relating to the development of more environmentally-acceptable disinfestation treatments for a wide range of horticultural and forest exports, including the development of new:

• Fumigation techniques
• Pest management techniques and strategies
• Systems approaches that reduce regulatory reliance on chemical disinfestation treatments
• Methods for reducing or eliminating the use of methyl bromide

 

Research responsibilities include:

·         Providing entomological expertise to the disinfestation team whether in the role of project leader or member of a team working on a project

·         Preparing and identifying insects for tests

·         Initiating and completing experimental designs and carrying out research in a timely manner

·         Collecting, analysing and reporting data from experiments

·         Producing quality client reports and scientific publications in refereed journals

·         Delivering results from projects for commercial and government clients, involving both personal involvement in practical experimentation as well as leadership of other disinfestation team scientists and technicians

·         Coordinating resource usage (facilities, equipment, materials and supplies, technical and support staff)

 

Leadership responsibilities include:

·      Managing and supervising staff to facilitate the achievement of contractual objectives

·      Managing staff development and performance

·      Ensuring financial performance of contracts and meeting budget requirements

§  Contract quotes and budgets are realistically costed

§  Timelines are realistically set and managed accordingly

§  Research time within the contract is managed to achieve maximum productivity

 

Providing major input in the development of an upgraded, high-quality fumigation facility that will include:

·      Accurate gas chromatograph (GC) measurement of fumigants, oxygen and carbon dioxide

·      Sealed fumigation chambers

·      Accurate delivery of fumigants to chambers

·      Automated GC sampling 

·      Safe fumigant handling and personal monitoring systems.

 

 

Contributing to business planning by:

·      Contributing to plans that determine future research priorities within the area of expertise

·      Identifying and developing research and commercial objectives

·      Identifying staff and resource needs to fulfil contractual requirements and obtain necessary approvals from the Team Leader

 

Expectations of the entomologist as a scientist include:

·      To be recognised by peers and industry groups as a specialist in own field

·      To senior author publications in refereed journals, book chapters, and popular articles, and to produce significant conference papers and client reports; and, if necessary, to write manuals for new products, contribute to, and secure, patents when applicable

·      To be able to develop and complete large-scale projects

·      To manage time and resources in an appropriate manner

·      To establish networks and collaborations nationally and internationally

·      To prepare research  funding proposals and applications to outside agencies, and to contribute in the writing of large multi-objective programmes

·      To present research results, progress reports, and expert entomological information to peers, industry, government, and the general public at meetings, conferences, workshops, and seminars

·      To ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, standard operating procedures, and EPA / Quality Assurance directives

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 

Professional Knowledge and Skills:

·           PhD in Entomology (preferably with three or more years of research experience)

·           Proven track record in the production of high quality research and scientific publications and/or commercial reports

·           An understanding of fumigants, fumigant chemistry and fumigation technologies, including the use of fumigants in the conduct of insect bioassays

·           Working knowledge of applied entomology and pesticide use

·           Knowledge of either plant pathology or microbiology

·           Knowledge of insect/plant host relationships

·           Ability to reduce large research problems into smaller, solvable studies and apply logical experimental designs

·           Competent presentation, computer, data management, and statistical skills (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SAS, JMP, SigmaStat)

·           Superior written and oral communication skills (English)

·           Ability to establish good working relationships with a wide range of diverse staff

·           Proven project management skills and experience

·           Able to work effectively either independently or as part of a team

 

Professional Behaviours:

 

The holder of this position is expected to consistently demonstrate the behaviours described in the Plant & Food Research Leadership Framework.  These include:

 

·           Personal Characteristics, which means: being generous, having courage, showing humility, being self aware, trustworthy and positive

·           Personal Capability, which means: demonstrating personal expertise, problem solving, being innovative or managing innovation, having business acumen, and professional development

·           Focus On Results, which means: taking responsibility for results, organising and setting standards

·           Interpersonal, which means: communication, collaborating with others, building relationships, inspiring and developing people

·           Leading Change, which means: having a strategic perspective or a sense of the “bigger picture”, championing or participating in change, and connecting to the outside world, or bringing in fresh ideas.

 

MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE

 

An annual review of performance will be conducted by the Team Leader - Disinfestation.

 

Success in this role will be measured by:

 

• Demonstrated performance against the accountabilities listed above
• Ability to operate within recognised safety standards to ensure personal and team safety.