Scientist

Biotelliga; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Biotelliga, based in Auckland, seeks a Scientist to join its R&D team. The role focuses on developing microorganisms and analysing plant-microbe interactions to improve crop health using molecular biology, synthetic biology, and fermentation capabilities.

You will design and execute experiments, contribute to lab management, and collaborate across disciplines in a fast-paced environment. Strong English communication and lab safety are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biotechnology, Fungal Genetics, Microbiology, Metabolic Engineering or related field with at least 2 years’ hands-on experience in fungal strain engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design, manage and perform scientific experiments to high standards in a dynamic team.

Skills

Molecular biology

Synthetic biology

CRISPR/Cas9

Fungal genetics

Data analysis

PCR/qPCR

Lab management

R programming

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9

ddPCR

Job description

Biotelliga (a Corteva Agriscience company) is an Ag-biotech company utilising fungi, nature’s plant-interaction specialists, to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies to protect crops from pests and diseases. We have a rich pipeline of game-changing products in development from discovery to pre-commercial phase.

About the role

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated Scientist to join our R&D team based in Parnell, Auckland. You will work in a friendly and supportive lab environment with fellow scientists and technicians to help develop microorganisms and analyse plant-microbe interactions to improve crop health. All our work is cross-discipline, and you may also be involved in other aspects of development including activity assays. Projects will utilise mostly molecular & synthetic biology, microbiology, genetics, bioinformatics, and fermentation capability. You will also actively contribute to general lab management, as required.

To be successful in this role, you must thrive in a dynamic and diverse team environment where priorities shift. You must design, manage & perform scientific experiments to a high standard and be results focussed, self-driven, proactive, able to follow procedures accurately and meet deadlines in a multi-tasking environment, and willing to learn new skills.

Minimum qualifications and experience

PhD in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biotechnology, Fungal Genetics, Microbiology, Metabolic Engineering, or in a relevant field with at least 2 years’ hands-on experience in fungal strain engineering, ideally working in the crop protection field.

Demonstrated experience designing and building genetic circuits intended for expression in complex, non-model hosts or symbiotic systems.

Direct experience with fungal transformation techniques, proficiency in using CRISPR/Cas9 or RNAi tools and ddPCR, mastery of high-throughput molecular cloning methods, routine experience in using PCR, qPCR, and sequencing data, competence in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

Experience working in a PC2 laboratory.

Familiarity with bioinformatics tools, databases, and workflows.

Excellent data analysis and report writing skills. Strong programming skills in languages relevant to data analysis such as R.

Understanding of relevant statistical analysis and data visualisation.

Familiar and engaged with quality control, health & safety and containment requirements in laboratories.

Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

Good Word and Excel skills.

Must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

Applications are open for 1 month but may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.