Scientific Officer, National Metabolic Screening Programme - LabPLUS

Taranaki District Health Board; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland District Health Board, LabPLUS, Auckland, is seeking a Scientific Officer for the National Metabolic Screening Programme. The role is full-time, rostered across Monday to Sunday, with a focus on newborn screening and clinical support within the NBS unit.

You will work on routine assays, contribute to new method development, and mentor staff while ensuring high-quality results and accreditation compliance. Experience with MS/MS and data handling is essential.

Qualifications

• Current annual practicing certificate as Medical Laboratory Scientist with registration or eligible for registration in New Zealand.
• MSc, PhD or higher scientific qualification.
• Advanced knowledge of tandem mass spectrometry with hands-on experience.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Excellent organisation and experience handling large data sets.
• Experience with research and method development leading to publications or presentations.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine operation and troubleshooting of newborn screening assays.
• Contribute to development of new assays within the NBS programme.
• Provide training and mentoring to staff; take lead in interpreting and reporting results.
• Liaise with clinicians and ensure accreditation requirements are met.
• Maintain and develop in-house middleware; review newborn screening protocols.

Education

MSc/PhD or higher

Medical Laboratory Scientist registration

Tandem mass spectrometry

Data analysis

Communication and teamwork

Job description

Scientific Officer, National Metabolic Screening Programme - LabPLUS

• Exciting opportunity for a scientific officer working for the Newborn Metabolic Screening national programme, LabPlus, Auckland
• Be part of a programme improving outcomes for neonates in NZ
• Permanent full time position

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

We are inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified Scientists who are interested in progressing their career. The role is based in the Newborn Screening section (NBS) of the Specialist Chemical Pathology department at LabPlus. The NBS section provides a unique service for the NZ population. This position is full time working rostered shifts Monday to Sunday

Initially in this role you will be required to work closely with the current Scientific Officer offering technical and clinical support to the NBS programme. This will include routine running and troubleshooting of newborn screening assays, including in-house developed expanded screening using tandem mass spectrometry, contributing to the development of new assays, training and mentoring of staff, taking a lead role in interpreting and reporting of results, liaising with clinical staff and ensuring Prevention Directorate accreditation requirements are met. The role will also involve maintenance and development of the in-house developed middleware and review of newborn screening protocols.

About the Team/Service/ Location

LabPLUSis an IANZ accredited medical laboratory and is one of New Zealand's premier laboratories. LabPLUS are part of the state-owned Te Toka Tumai Auckland. LabPLUS is also a major referral laboratory for specialised laboratory tests for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Visit our website www.labplus.co.nz for more information.

The NBS area is part of the Specialist Chemical Pathology department which runs two other national programmes. The dedicated team of technicians and scientists provide a critical service in screening for critical inborn conditions which must be picked up within the first few days of life. The area is therefore busy and has strict turnaround time and quality requirements.

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About you

As the ideal person for this role, you will have the following skills and attributes:

• a current annual practicing certificate and be registered (or have qualifications and training which will be recognised and lead to registration) as a Medical LaboratoryScientist with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand.
• an MSc, PhD or appropriate higher scientific qualification
• advanced knowledge of tandem mass spectrometry with at least 2 years hands-on experience
• highly developed communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• excellent organisational and advanced computer skills, including experience working with large data sets
• experience with research and method development which has led to publications or presentations of that work

For further information on this role please contact Colleen Harvey - Scientist Unit Manager on [phone] or [e-mail]

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: ADHB18562

Location:

North Island - Auckland - Central Auckland

Job type:

Job type: Permanent Full time

Expertise:

Clinical - Technical - Medical Lab Scientist / Technician