MSc Student

MSc project in Genetics or Statistics

Position : Student (MSc)

Location : Invermay Campus, Mosgiel

This is a full-time position over 1 year.

Bioeconomy Science Institute Ltd is unable to provide support for relocation and visa activities.

Mō te Pakihi | About the Company

The Bioeconomy Science Institute is New Zealand’s newest Public Research Organisation, formed through the merger of AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, and Scion. The Bioeconomy Science Institute exists to power New Zealand’s transition to a circular, resilient, and prosperous bioeconomy. Through world-leading scienc e, the B ioeconomy Science Institute drives innovation across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology, and manufacturing. It protects and enhances ecosystems, strengthens biosecurity and climate resilience, and develops cutting-edge bio-based products and technologies.

Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role

Topic: Detecting and characterising parental contamination in open-pollinated orchards

Supervisors: Prof Phillip Wilcox (Mathematics and Statistics, Otago) and Dr Ken Dodds (Bioeconomy Science Institute*, Invermay, Mosgiel)

Funding: One-year domestic tuition fees plus stipend of $NZ22,000, contributed by the Radiata Pine Breeding Company (Christchurch).

Open-pollinated orchards are often used to multiply up genetically improved plants and generate seeds for commercial populations. These orchards rely on natural pollination, and the intention is that the pollen is from trees within the orchard. Sometimes pollen is carried from outside the orchard ("contamination") and is of unknown genetic merit, devaluing the seed.

This project will look at methods and strategies for estimating the contamination rate using genotyping. The project will consider sampling strategies, genotyping requirements and options, and completeness of parental genotyping. It may involve both simulation and actual datasets. It may also consider spatial effects whereby the contamination rate differs across the orchard and relate this to environmental and management factors.

The successful applicant must be eligible to enrol in an MSc in genetics or statistics at the University of Otago. The student is expected to split their time between the University of Otago and the Invermay Agricultural Centre (Mosgiel) while working on the project (2 or 3 days/week at each site).

Dr Sai Arojju from the Radiata Pine Breeding Company will be an advisor to this project. Other staff from the University of Otago, Bioeconomy Science Institute or Radiata Pine Breeding Company may be added as additional advisors depending on the final requirements of the project.

• The Bioeconomy Science Institute formed in 2025 as a merger of AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion.

Ōpūmanawa | About you

• A Bachelor of Science with Honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Science that includes a thesis or dissertation.
• Must be eligible to enrol in a MSc in genetics or statistics at the University of Otago (average undergraduate grade of B+).
• Strong communication skills, especially writing.
• Effective interpersonal and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated capacity for collaborative work.

Tono Mai | Apply Now!

If you are interested in applying, please click on the link, which will allow you to upload a Cover Letter and CV. In your one-page (maximum) Cover Letter, please outline the following:

• Your motivation in applying.
• Why you feel you are a good fit for the role.
• What specific experience and skills you will bring to the role.
• Any other elements you would like us to consider in your application.

For further information regarding your application please contact Ken Dodds at ***email_hidden***.

Note : Interested candidates should apply at any time as this opportunity will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, this advertisement may close if a suitable candidate is found prior to 1 March 2027.

Applications close: 1 March 2027.