Research Statistician

General Information Date Published 03-Jul-2024 Advertising Ends 24-Jul-2024 Country New Zealand Location Manawatu Role Type Science & Technology Work Type Fixed Term ID# 9131 Position Description

About Us

We believe nutritious food is essential to sustain people today, and for future generations to thrive, which is why we challenge ourselves to find new ways to bring our dairy goodness to people around the world. In Palmerston North at the Fonterra Research Development Centre (FRDC), we’ve been innovating in dairy for almost 100 years.

The FRDC is based in Palmerston North and home to a highly collegial team of scientists, technologists, and engineers – many of whom are the world’s leading experts in dairy science with a key purpose to deliver sustainable value through innovative product and technology development to derive the best value from NZ milk.

About the opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled Research Statistician to be based at our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North on a fixed term basis.

Your role is to provide expert end – end advisory and analysis to support our Fonterra scientific teams by coaching, developing and promoting statistical best practice within Fonterra. Engage with colleagues, understand their requirements, provide strategy/execution and present the insights back to the teams.

You will take an expert approach in data analysis and usage in a variety of projects and data stewardship. From building models through to advising on the use of data, you will truly be knowledgeable in all things statistical.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide proactive expert advice and support in the choice and implementation of statistical methods and experimental design
• Develop and maintain expertise in statistical analysis, numerical techniques, and experimental design
• Boldly innovate by discovering and implementing new statistical tools and technologies to enhance experimental design and democratize statistical analysis while ensuring the efficacy of statistical methodologies.
• Ensure that the outcomes are presented in an informative and effective manner
• Train and coach Fonterra staff in statistics and good data management
• Collaboration across Fonterra’s Research & Development Centre with a broad range of subject matter experts.

About you

With a PhD or Master’s Degree in Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science, or a closely related field, you will have a minimum of four years applied experience in statistical consulting and/or data science. A flexible and self-motivated person, you will have abilities to perform statistical calculations within a research environment across multiple innovation projects.

Ideally you’ll also have had exposure to the manufacturing, food or dairy industries, but key is the strong ability to consult effectively within an area that involves research.

As you will need to communicate statistical outcomes to a variety of stakeholders you will be an exceptional communicator who can easily build rapport and trust.

You will be the go-to person on all statistical and data questions; therefore, it is key that you are open minded and approachable when people are seeking your advice.

A few other key attributes will be:

• Data analysis and modelling
• Proven stakeholder management and relationship building
• Ability to communicate statistical outcomes and data insights - good communication between statistician and research/commercial staff
• Proven experience in developing and applying new statistical methodologies and tools for complex data analysis
• Ability to make and justify research decisions in a commercial environment.
• Fully fluent in advanced statistical tools and experimental design methodologies
• Ideally experienced with Minitab statistics package or/and R programming language
• Experience in statistical consulting and problem-solving preferred.
• Experience in a scientific/ technical R&D/ commercial environment preferred

Please note you must have work eligibility for New Zealand to be considered for this position. The preference is for this position to be based in Palmerston North at our Fonterra Research and Development Centre however we will consider candidates outside this location if the skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. Some travel will be required.

Our Story

Whanaungatanga, our Co-operative spirit gives us all a common strength and purpose. Manaakitanga is how we care for all our people who are at the heart of what we do, we want our farmers, employees, customers and communities to thrive. Kaitiakitanga, ensures we take care of the land. We are committed to farming in a way that regenerates our farms and environment for future generations.

Whakaohooho constantly inspires ourselves and each other with great career development opportunities and benefits. We enable flexibility and balance to suit everyone’s lifestyles and choices.

Our Co-operative is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best.

Sound good to you? Come join our whānau. You, me, Us Together Tᾱtou tᾱtou.

Applications close Wednesday, 24th of July

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