Spray Deposition and Drift Field Study Scientist
Lincoln Ventures Ltd., New Zealand
Protecting crops from pests, weeds and diseases while also protecting humans and the environment from pesticide exposure is a balancing process which requires scientists who can think “outside the box” and interact with a wide range of stakeholders from government and industry. At Lincoln Ventures Ltd. (LVL), we need a new member for our science team conducting leading-edge research in this field.
LVL is owned by Lincoln University and is a research and development company with a track record for applying new and innovative engineering and science technologies to enhance New Zealand’s agriculture, industry and environment. Reporting to Dr Andrew Hewitt, the Program Manager for the Chemical Application Research and Training (CART) group at LVL, you will be responsible for helping plan, conduct and analyse field studies on spray deposition research in a range of crops in NZ and internationally. You will learn from an internationally recognized scientist in this field who has extensive relationships in Australia, the UK, the USA and Europe. The work is underpinned by a NZ government research contract, and the group conducts international research, including field studies as well, due to Dr Hewitt’s extensive relationships with commercial companies in the USA.
You will have appropriate qualifications and skills to demonstrate that you can plan, conduct, analyse and report studies. You will also possess the ability to interact effectively with government, the farming sector and funding bodies.
We have a range of technologies which we are developing for this research including phase-Doppler and LiDAR laser systems. You will need to learn how to operate these systems and help plan how to integrate the data outputs from field work to be applied to our spray application deposition and drift modeling. Other team members are already working on modeling but we need to integrate our various systems and tools to provide optimized decision support and risk assessment capabilities for a range of NZ stakeholders. Working as part of a team and a willingness to learn new skills are key attributes which we seek in selecting the best person to fill this vacancy.
Lincoln Ventures Ltd is based at the Lincoln University campus approx 20km southwest of Christchurch. There may be some flexibility on location for the right candidate with Hamilton being an option.
Although this is intended to be a full-time position, we may be able to consider a part-time appointment if appropriate.
For a position description and application form please email Yvonne de Vries. To apply please email your CV, a covering letter and completed application form to yvonne.devries@lvl.co.nz before 4.00pm August 3, 2012.
Position Description
Spray Deposition and Drift Field Study Scientist
Context
Lincoln Ventures Limited (LVL) is a leading edge research and development company with a track record for applying new and innovative engineering and science technologies to support agriculture, industry and the environment.
LVL has five areas of expertise these being:
• Chemical Application Research and Training (CART) to develop best management practices, technologies and models needed to balance pesticide use, sustainable primary production and environmental protection.
• Ground water research to understand ground water processes and supply tools/models for effectively managing ground water quality and allocation of New Zealand’s ground water resource.
• Smart sensor and measurement technologies utilising microwave sensing, machine vision and biosensors designed to measure and manage industrial processes;
• Irricad – a computer software system for designing all types of pressurised irrigation systems for professional and accurate designing.
• Precision Agriculture (PA). Participates in securing research and managing/executing precision agriculture projects with the farming sector, commercial companies, industry bodies and central and local government agencies, nationally and internationally.
LVL is a 100% subsidiary of Lincoln University and are based on campus at Lincoln University, 20 km southwest of Christchurch, New Zealand. The North Island office is located on the Ruakura Research Campus in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Purpose
To undertake pesticide application research and consulting in New Zealand and internationally as part of LVL’s CART team, with a focus on field experimentation, data analysis and presentation. There will be opportunities to also work with the Precision Agriculture group of LVL.
Salary
To be negotiated based on skills, qualifications and experience.
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Key Outputs |
Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) |
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To help analyse data using statistical methods from field studies conducted by CART for MSI and other commercial companies. |
In conjunction with LVL staff help analyse data from spray deposition field studies and summarise data with graphs for input to reports prepared jointly with CART Manager. |
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Helping set the science direction in pesticide application research |
Where appropriate, help the team develop new approaches for assessing spray application technologies and drift management. |
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Help prepare, run and report future field studies |
Select suitable sites for field studies (kiwivines, pipfruit and other crops) with contacts supplied by CART Manager
Prepare equipment for field studies including sourcing tracer dyes, sprayers and equipment and shipping to site in advance of studies. Help design field studies as needed (e.g. input to discussions on sample placement, collection, analysis) under direct supervision of CART Manager
Help conduct field studies and gradually assume role of lead field study scientist once skills have been learned through initial studies
Learn to run and calibrate cutting edge field instrumentation such as Lasers and LIDAR.
Analyse data from field studies and prepare reports for sponsors
Present study results at meetings |
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Ensure effective implementation of field studies |
Ensure field studies are appropriately planned, implemented, evaluated and published as appropriate.
Undertake the research projects to complete them within budget
Ensure research projects comply with all legal and ethical requirements
Apply innovation in research implementation |
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Maximise Research Outcomes |
Participate in the management and monitoring of the outcomes of research, evaluate outcomes against set objectives, set standards and establish control and reporting mechanisms for all research activity. |
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Work closely with external stakeholders to maximise the use of research outputs
Create and strengthen relationships between stakeholders where awareness of research outcomes is mutually beneficial
Publish research findings in appropriate journals and industry publications as appropriate |
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Administration
Follow all company administration practices and policies |
Maintain good records of project activities, correspondence and expenditure, and complete all LVL administrative requirements accurately and on time |
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Other Duties
Perform other reasonable duties as agreed from time to time as requested by line managers |
Provide services to agreed standards
The organisation’s common goals are achieved collaboratively |
Staff Supervised
Interns and field contract staff may be supervised or co-supervised as agreed
Key Relationships
The appointee is expected to establish effective working relationships with:-
Internal Members of LVL’s leadership staff and other staff.
External Regional Councils, Central Government Agencies Other stakeholders within the public and private sectors. Multinational commercial companies such as DOW, BASF etc.
| Lincoln |
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| University
Other institutions |
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Staff as needed.
Collaborators in other institutions, research establishments, networks. |
Accountability
The appointee will be responsible to the CART Group Leader at Lincoln Ventures Limited (LVL) for the efficient discharge of the key tasks specified.
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Competencies – Qualities |
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Good written and oral communication
Ability to help design experiments and line up all necessary materials and sites for their conduct
Ability to carefully manage time for project execution and delivery on time
Willingness to learn about spray deposition and drift research through hands-on experience
A team player and able to work under stressful field conditions and pressures as needed. Some fieldwork requires work hours beyond the normal “9 to 5”
Willingness to travel as needed for fieldwork
Ability to analyse data and present it in a clear manner for scientific reporting
Communicates effectively with a range of stakeholders
A problem solver
A positive attitude to personal development
Shows concern for others in the workplace, is self motivated, has a high level of integrity, and demonstrates initiative and creativity
Ability to work within a diverse team located in Lincoln and Hamilton
Flexibility to adapt to new challenges
Ability to initiate new research directions
Ability to deliver on commitments
Tidy and meticulous work habits
An enthusiasm to be part of a high-technology company
Maintain strictest confidentiality on work carried out within Lincoln Ventures Limited |
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Competencies – Skills/Experience |
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Post graduate qualified in a science or an engineering discipline. Graduate qualifications with considerable experience will be considered.
Ability to report to and work with funders and clients.
Experience in experimental design, execution, data analysis and reporting.
Experience, willingness and aptitude for experimental field work.
NZ Drivers license. |
For further information please email Dr Andrew Hewitt, hewitta@lvl.co.nz
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