Research Officer

Research Officer (Food Digestion - Micronutrients)

Position Purpose: This Research Officer position will be part of the Centre of Research Excellence
(CoRE) programme of the Riddet Institute, which is funded by the Tertiary
Education Commission. The Research Officer will be responsible of providing a
meaningful contribution to the delivery of the research aims of Project 1.1 “Food
structure design and modification in the digestive tract”.

This fixed-term 3.5-year position is to undertake research on the role of food
structure on the release and uptake of nutrients and bioactive compounds in the
digestive tract. Specifically, in vitro dynamic digestion models of healthy adults
and advanced techniques will be used to study interactions of food components
during digestion, determine the molecular state of food materials in the small
intestine and establish their absorption patterns using cell line models.

Department: Riddet Institute

Location: Palmerston North

Reports to: Team Leader, Food Science (MU01075)

Responsible for: Nil.

Delegations: Nil.

Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow

Key relationships: Internal External
Professor Harjinder Singh, Riddet CoRE Research Partners
Institute

Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields of
research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to community and
industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and skills to advance human
knowledge and understanding. Working together across disciplines and
locations, we solve national and global problems through fundamental, applied
and interdisciplinary research, while culturally and artistically enriching our
world.

We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating
authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold Te
Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through
our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity
for the nation and its people.

Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our students
are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to achieve their
personal goals or make their mark in the world. They experience world-class
learning that recognises their intellectual and cultural strengths, expands their
horizons and prepares them to contribute to a rapidly transforming world with
skills, critical and creative thinking and leadership.

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We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey campuses
will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart enterprises.
Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on respect, trust and
mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we do, but by how we do it.

About this area The Riddet Institute is a world-best research centre in food and nutritional
sciences, providing fundamental scientific understanding and training for a new
generation of science leaders. The Riddet Institute includes a Centre of Research
Excellence (CoRE) that integrates partner organisations (Massey University
(host), Auckland and Otago Universities, AgResearch and Plant & Food
Research). The Institute leads a “NZ Inc” approach to food research (that
includes sustainable nutrition) and generates knowledge and capability that
transforms the New Zealand food industry.

Massey core capabilities
At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society
• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and the

people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement with

external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that demonstrates that we
respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University's health, safety and

wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively supporting all safety
and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our students/

stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit to

ongoing personal and professional development

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and the

communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

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Accountabilities

Research Strategy and • Contribute and develop high-quality research plans and outputs to ensure
Delivery the completion of project milestones within the Riddet Institute.

• Support the day-to-day management of research initiatives of the team.
• Collaborate with staff across the Riddet Institute to identify new research

opportunities.

• Contribute to or participate in applications for competitive research funding

to support projects and activities, collaborating with more experienced
researchers within the Institute, nationally and internationally.

• Demonstrate a collaborative work ethic and a team-oriented approach,

leveraging knowledge and capabilities from across the Centre of Research
Excellence to achieve optimal outcomes.

Science Excellence • Consistently produce high-quality, impactful research outputs and publish
findings in top international journals.

• Contribute to solving complex problems and generating new knowledge,

intellectual property, policies, and products.

• Supervise and mentor postgraduate students, demonstrating personal

effectiveness in supervision.

• Advance scientific knowledge by presenting at conferences, serving on

journal review panels, and chairing conference sessions.

• Actively participate in the wider food science community, promoting both

personal and Riddet Institute recognition nationally and internationally.

Other Projects and • Ensure compliance with relevant legislation (e.g., Department of Labour,
Health and Safety HSNO, EPA Animal and Human Ethics) and maintain appropriate data
management and security.

• Adhere to health and safety policies established by Massey University and

relevant legislation, always prioritizing the safety of oneself and others in the
workplace.

• Collaborate in citizenship and service activities internally and externally to

the Riddet Institute.

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Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications: Completed PhD in Food Science and/or Technology, Biochemistry, Nutrition,
Food engineering or related disciplines

Experience: • Proven post PhD hands-on research experience related to this position.

• Experience in food structure design and food material science are valuable.
• Proven experience in day-to-day management of research projects within a

team.

• Experience with in vitro digestion models, especially dynamic models.
• Proficiency in using analytical tools such as chromatography and microwave

plasma atomic emission spectrometry for mineral analysis.

• In-depth knowledge of human digestion physiology.
• Understanding transport phenomena in the intestine is an advantage.
• A track record of publications in high-quality international journals.

Capabilities - Behaviour
Communication • Communicates clearly and concisely the findings within the project team.

• Proactively works to build and maintain internal and external relationships and

Essential networks to share knowledge and achieve goals.

• Understands limits of own authority and knows when to consult or inform

others.

Collaboration • Collaborates effectively with diverse teams and individuals to meet collective

Essential goals.

• Promotes/contributes to a collegial atmosphere and effective teamwork.
• Understands industry dynamics and effectively engage with industry

stakeholders.

Time • Practices proactive planning to anticipate bottlenecks that may impact the
Management project deadlines.

Essential • Maintains an organised workflows by using tools to keep track of deadlines,
milestones and deliverables.

• Delegates tasks appropriately to ensure optimal use of team resources.

Attitude • Demonstrates creativity and a strong sense of curiosity.

Essential • Sets and models a culture that leverages differences and supports equality,
diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

• Behaves in a fair, honest, and ethical manner.

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Capabilities - Technical
Technical • Ability to interpret, evaluate and analyse data, information and processes to

Desirable support outcomes and make feasible proposals or recommendations.

• Competitive experimental design and statistical analysis skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write research papers and deliver oral presentations

effectively.

• Creative thinker, inquisitive, is able to visualise and describe innovative ideas and

solutions

Pre-employment checks

Pre-employment checks: • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation check (if applicable).

Essential • Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic convictions (Security) check.

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