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Engineering & Construction
Engineer, Aquatic Design and Bioengineering @ Plant & Food Research Full Time
A bit about us
At Plant & Food Research, we believe science can create a better future. By finding smarter, greener options today, we’re helping secure the world we want to live in tomorrow. With our partners, we use world-leading science to improve the way they grow, fish, harvest and share food. Every day, we have 1000 people working across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world to help deliver healthy foods from the world’s most sustainable systems.
What you will be doing
This is an exciting opportunity to support seafood research and development projects in finfish open ocean aquaculture, wild fish capture and handling, along with finfish culture and husbandry. You will be working in a hands-on role leading system design and engineering with a focus on biological applications (i.e. aquaculture). This will include modelling, development, testing and production of novel prototypes and associated equipment in flume tanks and at sea. Taking responsibility for the execution of R&D projects, you will ensure timely delivery of high quality science and commercial outputs, develop funding proposals, report and present research findings and produce scientific publications.
What you will need
To be successful in this role, you will have a postgraduate degree, (or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience) with industry experience, in engineering with a focus on systems evaluations and modelling. Relevant disciplines might include mechanical, mechatronic or structural engineering, engineering science, or agricultural or biological engineering.
You will bring hands-on experience in system design and engineering , modelling expertise, particularly for flow dynamics, and an understanding of prototype model testing will be advantageous. With strong collaboration and communication skills, you will be a natural problem solver and work in an organised, methodical way including accurate record keeping practices. The ability to work in an open sea environment will be essential.
What you will get
The opportunity to work within a friendly, team-based environment at our award winning Nelson site with its own Fin Fish facility, where you will contribute to exciting projects with an organisation that has an excellent reputation for its science and impact!
We offer excellent employee benefits, including generous leave provisions and employer contribution to superannuation, and subsidised health insurance.
| Position: | Engineer |
| Team: | Aquatic Design and Bioengineering |
| Group: | Seafood Production |
| Portfolio: | Seafood Technologies |
| Responsible to: | Team Leader, SGL |
| Location: | Nelson |
Purpose of the Position
To support seafood research and development projects in the areas of finfish open ocean aquaculture, wild fish capture and handling, along with finfish culture and husbandry. Specific focus areas of this position are in the area of biological–engineering.
Accountabilities
- Research
- Support the Seafood Production group by playing a key role in finfish open ocean aquaculture, wild finfish harvesting, and handling and production research projects.
- Contribute to Research Projects
- Assist and support the Team Leader and Science Group Leader by taking a leading role in R&D projects.
- Conduct research in the areas of aquaculture, wild fish capture and handling, and finfish culture and husbandry
- Assist and support the design, modelling, development, testing and production of novel prototypes and associated equipment for the holding of fish in flume tanks and the open ocean environment.
- Contribute to the development of proposals to secure government, Institute and/or industry funding.
- Lead and support the production of peer reviewed scientific publications.
- Lead and contribute to regular progress reports and draft scientific publications and/or client reports to meet internal and/or client expectations.
- Present research findings to internal parties, client meetings and at conferences.
- Meet or exceed expected standards for collecting, analysing and reporting experimental data.
- Interact with representatives of client organisations as required to achieve project objectives.
- Contribute to technical documentation as required.
- Assist with other seafood research projects as and when requested.
- Personal Development and Safety
- Identify needs to develop new skills, discuss training opportunities, and undertake training as approved.
- Ensure that Health & Safety procedures are followed at all times, e.g. use correct protective equipment, follow safe work procedures, identify, report and control hazards, etc.
- Work as an Effective Team Member
- Positive contributions given to meetings, planning and operations, including initiatives on new projects.
- Effective communication with all group members, leading to continual improvement and group commitment.
- Develop a collaborative, collegial team dynamic to drive and deliver science.
- Manager is regularly informed of work developments and promptly consulted/advised of any problems being encountered and remedies devised and implemented.
- Health and Safety
- Identify health and safety needs to develop new skills, discuss training opportunities, and undertake training as approved.
- Ensure that Health & Safety procedures are followed at all times, e.g. use correct protective equipment, follow safe work procedures, identify, report and control hazards, etc.
- Follows standard operating procedures.
Person Specification
Professional Knowledge and Skills
- A postgraduate qualification with industry experience (or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience) with industry experience, in engineering with a focus on systems evaluation and modelling. Relevant disciplines might include mechanical, electrical, mechatronic or structural engineering, oceanographic engineering, engineering science, fluids engineering, agricultural or biological engineering.
- Applied design and implementation skills, together with feasibility assessment expertise, would be an advantage
- Modelling expertise is required, e.g. modelling flow dynamics.
- Demonstrates an understanding of prototype testing and necessary evaluation pathways.
- A record of successful research as demonstrated by industry/commercial reports and/or peer-reviewed publications.
- A collective view and the ability to work in a team is essential.
- Good communication skills to ensure that engineering solutions are designed to meet biological requirements determined by the science teams
- Keen to make a positive difference to NZ’s aquaculture and seafood industries and wants to apply knowledge and skills to develop real-world solutions.
- Keen to contribute to the sustainable and productive use of our oceans.
- Ability to interact and communicate effectively with fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing industries.
- A natural problem solver, solutions focused and quick to grasp and adopt new ideas.
- Disciplined work habits, including accurate record keeping.
- Comfortable to work in the open sea environment.
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
Performance will be reviewed in regular informal discussions with the incumbent’s immediate manager and at an annual meeting as part of the Performance, Planning and Review (PPR) process.
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.