Scientist - Animal Science

DairyNZ; Newstead; Presencial; NZD 105.000 - 135.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Flexible working

Newstead campus based

Career progression from Scientist to P

Descripción de la vacante

DairyNZ is seeking an animal scientist with a farm systems perspective to shape the future of New Zealand dairy farming. Based at the Newstead campus, you will lead hands-on trials, collect and interpret data, and connect animal research to pasture-based systems.

The role offers opportunity to work with farmers, industry partners and researchers to deliver practical science that improves sustainability, profitability and productivity on farms.

Formación

• PhD or near completion in animal science, ruminant nutrition, physiology, farm systems, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in applied research, ideally including animal trials.
• Experience with data analysis in R or similar.

Responsabilidades

• Design and deliver innovative research addressing real-world dairy farm challenges.
• Work hands-on in research facilities and on farm, including animal monitoring and sampling.
• Prepare trial protocols and ethics applications; manage, analyse and report trial data.
• Collaborate across disciplines to solve complex farm system challenges and translate findings into practical tools.
• Communicate research findings to farmers, industry groups and scientific audiences.

Conocimientos

Animal science

Farm systems

R data analysis

Hands-on testing

Educación

PhD in animal science or related

Herramientas

R

Descripción del empleo

Animal Science with a Farm Systems Perspective

Newstead

Help shape the future of New Zealand dairy farming.

At DairyNZ, we're tackling some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand dairy farmers. From improving farm systems and pasture performance to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing animal health and welfare, and delivering practical science that farmers can use every day, our work is focused on creating real impact on farm.

As we continue to strengthen our Research & Science capability, we are looking for a talented animal scientist with a farm systems perspective who wants to help shape the future of agricultural science in New Zealand.

Whether you're an early-career or postdoctoral scientist ready to step into a hands-on research role, or an established Scientist looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

We're particularly interested in people with expertise in:

• Animal Science including ruminant nutrition and physiology
• Farm Systems Science, or a strong understanding of pasture-based dairy farm systems

Experience with methane measurement or metabolism studies is an advantage, but not essential.

About the opportunity

Our scientists work in multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality applied research that improves the sustainability, profitability and productivity of New Zealand dairy farms. We work alongside farmers, industry partners, universities and research organisations to ensure our science remains relevant, credible and focused on the challenges that matter most.

This is a hands-on, applied science role. You will be directly involved in planning and delivering animal trials, working alongside farm and technical teams, collecting and interpreting data, and solving practical problems as they arise. While the role sits within Animal Science, we are particularly interested in people who can connect animal-level research to pasture-based farm systems.

Depending on your experience, you may:

• Design and deliver innovative research that addresses real-world challenges for dairy farmers.
• Work hands-on in research facilities and on farm, including animal monitoring and sample collection.
• Prepare trial protocols and ethics applications, and manage, analyse and report trial data.
• Contribute to research projects and programmes, including trial planning, budgeting and reporting appropriate to your experience.?
• Translate scientific findings into practical tools, guidance and solutions that support on-farm adoption.?
• Collaborate across disciplines to solve complex farm system challenges.?
• Work closely with farmers and stakeholders to ensure science remains grounded in real-world needs.?
• Communicate research findings to a range of audiences, from farmers and industry groups through to scientific forums.?
• Contribute to shaping the future direction of New Zealand dairy farming through evidence-based science.?

We're committed to appointing the right person for this role. This role is open to applicants from postdoctoral or early-career level through to Scientist level, depending on your skills, experience and demonstrated capability.

About you

You will be passionate about using science to create positive outcomes for New Zealand dairy farmers and the wider sector.

We're looking for people who:

• Enjoy solving complex scientific challenges.
• Are comfortable working hands-on with dairy cows and delivering trials in research facilities and on farm, including early starts, sampling and monitoring.
• Can manage multiple concurrent projects and adapt as priorities change.
• Can connect technical science with practical farm system outcomes.
• Thrive working collaboratively across disciplines and organisations.
• Build strong relationships with farmers, industry and research partners.
• Are curious, innovative and committed to continuous learning.
• Can translate science into practical solutions and communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Want to contribute to science that delivers meaningful impact beyond publication alone.

You must hold, or be close to completing, a PhD animal science, ruminant nutrition, physiology, farm systems or a closely related discipline, and bring experience in applied research, ideally including animal trials and data analysis in R or similar. Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to help shape the future of dairy farming through science.

Why DairyNZ?

At DairyNZ, you'll work alongside some of New Zealand's leading agricultural scientists while contributing to research that makes a genuine difference to dairy farmers and the wider sector.

You will join a team focussed on building scientific capability, growing future talent, strengthening partnerships and increasing the visibility and impact of science for farmers.

We offer:

• Meaningful, purpose-driven work with national impact.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary science teams.
• Opportunities to grow your career from Scientist through to Senior and Principal Scientist pathways.
• Strong connections with farmers, industry, universities and research organisations.
• Flexible working and a supportive team culture.
• Being based at our Newstead campus, close to our research farms.

Salary ranges:

• Scientist: $105,000-$135,000

Ready to make an impact?

If you're looking for your next opportunity in animal science with a farm systems perspective, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close 18 November 2026 at 11.55pm.