Victoria University of Wellington

• Have you got experience with hazardous chemical handling?
• Are you studying for or have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, or a related field?
• Can you be self-motivated and work in a fast-paced environment alongside other high-performing researchers?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role 

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting for a qualified and highly motivated Kairuruku - Research Assistant in Chemical Inventory to join the Paihau - Robinson Research Institute team on a fixed-term, full-time basis.

We are seeking someone with ambition who wants to develop their research career within an academic R&D environment and has the ability to conceptualise and originate new ideas that are outside industry norms. Paihau - Robinson works closely with commercial partners and carries out mission-oriented R&D, so the preferred candidate should have the desire to see their work implemented with partners.  

You will lead the migration of chemicals to a new inventory management system at the Paihau - Robinson Research Institute. This work will expose you to multiple teams across the Institute, but will primarily be based as part of the Clean Materials team.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify and perform data entry for each unique chemical into the Chemlist inventory system, with over 600 chemicals to be input from an existing inventory.
• Correctly barcode label individual chemical containers, working consistently to ensure all containers are correctly inventoried.
• Safely handle a diverse range of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, following best laboratory practise.
• Work safely in multi-user laboratory settings, where other users may be performing active experiments.

Ō pūmanawa - About you 

The preferred candidate will: 

• Be studying for or have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, or with experience with hazardous chemical handling in related fields.
• Bring a positive attitude to staff and students alike and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Have excellent communication skills and a passion for detail-orientated work. 
• Have practical implementation skills. 
• Be a strong team player able to work closely with collaborators from multiple partner organisations. 
• Be self-motivated and able to work in a fast-paced environment alongside other high-performing researchers. 

Prior experience with the Chemlist management system is helpful but not required.

Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details. 

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page. 

Close date for vacancy: 30 June 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Jeannie Redman, Institute Manager (jeannie.redman@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.