Biosafety Officer: Containment & Risk Leadership

ABSA; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Bi-annual eye test and lenses/frames

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking a Biosafety Officer at the National Biocontainment Laboratory in Upper Hutt. The role focuses on leading biosafety risk management, training staff and guiding containment practices to maintain high safety standards.

We require senior-level expertise with strong judgement and the ability to influence across a complex environment. Applications close 21 September 2026, and the lab supports NZ's biosecurity initiatives.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in science, microbiology, biological sciences, health and safety, or a related discipline.
• Experience identifying and managing complex operational risks.
• The ability to influence and guide others without formal authority.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence providing specialist advice and exercising sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Be a key driver of the laboratory's biological risk management system, ensuring safe, secure, and compliant scientific operations.
• Coach staff and foster a strong biosafety culture.
• Exercise authority to stop work that may compromise biosafety or physical containment.
• Provide expert biosafety advice to a wide range of stakeholders from skilled laboratory personnel to less skilled external stakeholders.
• Have a good understanding of key containment systems - how they operate, and able to train others in their usage.
• Maintain and lead improvements in biosafety and containment procedures.

Skills

Biosafety management

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Influence without authority

Relationship-building

Education

Science/biological sciences degree

Health and safety qualification

Tools

Containment systems

Laboratory operations

Job description

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking a Biosafety Officer at the National Biocontainment Laboratory in Upper Hutt. The role focuses on leading biosafety risk management, training staff and guiding containment practices to maintain high safety standards.

We require senior-level expertise with strong judgement and the ability to influence across a complex environment. Applications close 21 September 2026, and the lab supports NZ's biosecurity initiatives.