BSc/MSc Positions 2009 in Research Technician at Palmerston North (Grasslands)
BSc/MSc Positions 2009 in Research Technician in Palmerston North (Grasslands)
Food, Metabolism & Microbiology – AgResearch Grasslands
AgResearch Limited has as its mission the creation of wealth through innovation to support New Zealand’s pastoral industries.
The Food, Metabolism & Microbiology Section in the Food & Textiles Group is looking for one permanent Research Technician to support research projects within the Rumen Microbial Genomics team within the Section. The team is conducting research on rumen microbes with the overall aim of enhancing plant fibre digestion in ruminants and reducing the emissions of methane from New Zealand ruminants through a better understanding of the microbial ecology of the rumen. Current projects include genome sequencing and functional analysis of a fibre-degrading bacterium and a methane-forming organism from the rumen.
The successful candidate will have a BSc/MSc (or equivalents) in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or a related discipline. A good understanding of molecular biology techniques and experience in cultivation of anaerobic microorganisms would be an advantage. Technical capabilities should include basic cultivation and bacterial characterisation techniques, molecular methods including genomic and plasmid DNA isolation, DNA and protein electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, PCR, and bioinformatics. You will be expected to work as part of a team, be able to assign your time to a variety of tasks, be well organised, and deliver work of a high standard within defined time lines.
Please apply online via www.agresearch.co.nz. Closing date for applications is 09 February 2009. Please note that you must have a current New Zealand work visa to be considered for this position.