Cetacean Research Officer

Job Description: Research Officer Position Purpose: Enhance Massey Universitys scholarly outputs and academic standing by

supporting and leading marine mammal research activities within the Cetacean Ecology Research Group, the School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences, the University, and the broader academic, professional, and general communities.

Department: School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences

Location: Auckland

Reports to: Zoology & Ecology Group Lead

Responsible for: Nil

Delegations: Nil

Job Title: Cetacean Research Officer

Internal External Key relationships:

Zoology & Ecology Group Lead Iwi groups across Aotearoa CPU Lead Scientific suppliers SFTNS Academic staff General merchandise suppliers SFTNS Professional staff Department of Conservation Undergraduate students Government-owned research Postgraduate students organisations College administration General Public Campus Services Museums and zoos

Regional and city councils

Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields of research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to community and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and skills to advance human knowledge and understanding. Working together across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while culturally and artistically enriching our world. We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people. Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and cultural strengths, expands their

1

horizons and prepares them to contribute to a rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative thinking and leadership.

We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on respect, trust, and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we do, but by how we do it.

School of Food The School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences leads research and

Technology and teaching in the discipline areas of food technology, biochemistry, chemistry,

Natural Sciences: ecology and conservation, marine biology, microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, and zoology. Our interdisciplinary approaches to research

involve national and international collaborations. We are enthusiastic in our mentoring of the next generation of scientists to think critically and creatively to tackle big issues through applied approaches as well as blue sky research.

Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice. We:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand

society.

• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and the

people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement

with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. We:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful, and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the Universitys health, safety

and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. We:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our students/

stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.

2

• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit

to ongoing personal and professional development.

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and

the communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

Accountabilities

Research and • Undertake an active and appropriate programme of academic research, Enterprise including participation in team-based research of the Cetacean Ecology Research Group, to the level expected by the Universitys research policies.

• Seek research funding to support the activities noted above, where

there is an opportunity to do so.

• Produce research outcomes in the form of peer-reviewed scientific

publication (e.g. books, articles, and other scholarly works) and report them as required to the University.

• Contribute to School/Institute/University.

Tissue archive • Assist with cataloguing and curating the culturally significant cetacean tissue archive and associated database that is held by the unit

• Assist with database and sample archive management.

• Help maintain DOC, CITES, MPI compliance and assist with ethics

permitting regulations and reporting.

• Lead and/or providing assistance during necropsies, including iwi

consultation, sample collection, waste disposal and/or iwi burial of remains.

• Recovery and/or collect samples of stranded marine mammals in the

field for both teaching and research purposes.

Post-Graduate • Contribute to the University degree completions and success by co- Supervision supervising the research activities of postgraduate students, including

postgraduate research projects and theses (where appropriate).

• Provide instruction and support in the use of laboratory and field

equipment as required.

• Assist with provisioning postgraduate research students with

appropriate consumables and equipment.

Academic Citizenship

(a) Service to the Community

• Participate in community service activities that further advance the

profession or field, and which are consistent with the Universitys charter and strategic goals.

3

• Assist the School/Institute to develop and strengthen relationships with

professional and stakeholder communities as appropriate Responsibility.

• Contribute to the broader community and society through the

Universitys obligations under the Education Act to fulfil “the role as critic and conscience of society”.

• Assist the School/Institute/University to develop an environment, which

gives effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

(b) University Responsibilities

• Serve on University and/or School/Institute committees.
• Observe University policy and codes of practice in all teaching, research,

community service and administrative practices.

• Contribute to the development of a School/Institute environment that

values teamwork, cooperation and collegiality.

• Contribute to the administration of the School/Institute.
• Take responsibility for professional self-improvement and

development.

• Undertake other duties as may be assigned by the HoS or Group Lead.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications: Essential:

• Relevant PhD qualification

• Current (full) NZ Drivers Licence

Preferred:

• Current First Aid Certificate

Experience: • Demonstrated teaching and research experience in a university or other tertiary teaching environment.

• Experienced in the use of electronic and on-line technologies in

blended and distance teaching delivery.

• Have substantial demonstrated laboratory and field experience.

• Have demonstrated experience in the handling of marine mammals.

• Have an understanding of Tikanga.

4

Capabilities - Behaviour

Communication • Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a team of colleagues and external

Essential stakeholders.

• Enjoy working in a team environment but also be able to work

independently.

• A willingness to learn new skills and accept delegated authority.

• Have integrity and be able to maintain confidentiality.

• Have a willingness to learn new skills and accept delegated authority.

Organisational Skills • Be self-motivated, able to establish priorities, plan and organise work according to those priorities with the ability to work flexibly to strict

Essential timeframes to achieve and deliver project outcomes.

• Ability to work both cooperatively within a team, and with a minimum

of supervision.

• Demonstrated sound time and project management skills.

Other • Demonstrated initiative and enthusiasm.

• Demonstrated high level of integrity and confidentiality.

Essential • A willingness to work outdoors, including in inclement weather.

• A willingness to travel to partner sites across New Zealand.

• A suitable level of fitness to be able to competently undertake some

field work.

• Hold a full driving licence and be competent driving 4WD vehicles.

Capabilities - Technical

Knowledge and • Committed to excellence in research, with ability to organise and

Understanding maintain quality records.

• Ability to write, and take a lead on, scientific papers.
• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs

Essential of the University and the communities we serve.

• Commit to ongoing personal and professional development.

Computer/software • Accurate data collection and ability to record and organise data using electronic data capture systems.

Essential • Competent working knowledge of computing and commercial software packages.

Pre-employment checks

Essential • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.

• Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic Convictions (Security) Check

performed by the Ministry of Justice. process includes a requirement to

pass the police vetting part of the safety check.

5