Internship – Forestry, Plant Science, Microbiology or Environmental Science - Scion

Sciene New Zealand; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 107,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring from experienced scientists

Hands-on research experience

Exposure to forest health and plant病?

Professional research environment

Job summary

Scion in Rotorua invites applications for a 12-week Summer Student Intern role in Forestry, Plant Science, Microbiology or Environmental Science. You will gain hands-on experience in plant pathology, disease screening, and forest genetics while supporting ongoing research projects.

Working with expert scientists and technical staff, you will culture fungal isolates, inoculate seedlings, collect data, and contribute to reports and presentations for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently completed an undergraduate degree in forestry or related field.
• Interest in forest health, plant pathology, breeding, or applied biological research.
• Willingness to learn laboratory and research techniques.

Responsibilities

• Culture Colletotrichum isolates and prepare conidial suspensions for inoculation.
• Inoculate radiata pine seedlings under controlled conditions.
• Assess disease severity and record observations.
• Analyze disease resistance and breeding data with researchers.
• Prepare a report and contribute to stakeholder presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Independent work

Communication skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in forestry, plant science, biology, microbiology, genetics, environmental science, biosecurity, or related field

Job description

61291 Summer Student Intern – Forestry, Plant Science, Microbiology or Environmental Science - Scion

Vacancy Number: 61291

Fixed Term:12 Weeks

Hours:40

Summer Student Intern – Screening Radiata Pine for Resistance to Terminal Crook Disease

Grow your research skills in a world-class science environment

Terminal crook disease, caused by fungi from the genus Colletotrichum, has emerged as a significant threat to New Zealand's forestry sector, causing substantial losses in radiata pine nurseries and putting future seedling production at risk. Current management strategies rely heavily on fungicides, but alternative long-term solutions are needed. This project will investigate natural variation in disease resistance within Pinus radiata breeding material to determine whether resistance can be incorporated into future breeding programmes. Working alongside forest health researchers at our Rotorua campus, you will help screen radiata pine seedlings for resistance and contribute to research that supports the sustainability and resilience of New Zealand's forestry industry.

What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua

• Work with technical staff to culture Colletotrichum isolates and prepare conidial suspensions for inoculation.
• Perform inoculation of radiata pine seedlings under controlled experimental conditions.
• Assess disease severity and plant growth, accurately recording experimental observations and data.
• Work with researchers to analyse disease resistance and breeding data.
• Prepare a report summarising project outcomes and contribute to presentations for project stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, the minimum qualifications required are:

• Currently enrolled in, or recently completed, an undergraduate degree in forestry, plant science, biology, microbiology, genetics, environmental science, biosecurity, or a related field.
• An interest in forest health, plant pathology, breeding, or applied biological research.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Motivation to learn new laboratory, nursery, and research techniques.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research addressing a major challenge facing New Zealand's forestry sector. You will gain hands‑on experience in plant pathology, disease screening, and forest genetics while working alongside experienced scientists and technical specialists. Your work will contribute to developing sustainable solutions that support healthy forests and future plantation productivity.

• Exposure to a professional research environment.
• Practical experience with plant and soil science research, laboratory techniques, and experimental systems.
• Mentoring and support from experienced scientists.
• Opportunities to strengthen your scientific communication and data analysis skills.
• Valuable experience to support future study and career opportunities in science.

We’ve built something new. AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion have come together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. We are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world‑class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio‑based technologies and products.

Reference # 61291

Location(s) Rotorua

Expertise Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Entomology, Marine & Freshwater Science, Meteorology & Climate