About the company
Our client is an innovative New Zealand agri-biotech company that has developed a slow-release bolus technology designed to deliver targeted doses of methane inhibitors to livestock. This technology has demonstrated significant potential to reduce methane emissions from ruminants, offering a practical solution to one of the major environmental challenges facing global agriculture.
The company is continuing to advance its technology through research and product development, with a strong focus on generating scientific evidence to support product performance, safety, and future commercialisation.
About the role
Our client is seeking an Animal Research Manager to lead the planning, design, execution and scientific evaluation of research studies involving ruminant livestock, supporting the development of new products and technologies.
Reporting to the Head of Research and Innovation, you will play a key role in advancing the company's research programmes, overseeing animal studies covering proof of concept, dose response, efficacy, product performance and preliminary safety.
This is a hands-on role combining scientific research, study management, and field-based activities. You will work closely with internal R&D teams and manage external research partners, including contract research organisations (CROs), veterinarians, farms, and specialist laboratories.
Importantly, we are looking for someone who brings more than operational research management experience. You will need strong scientific judgement and critical thinking skills to evaluate study designs, interpret complex findings, identify gaps in evidence, and recommend the next steps in product development.
The position offers considerable independence and the opportunity to work closely with an experienced R&I leader, with the potential to progress into broader scientific leadership responsibilities over time.
Key Responsibilities
Animal Research Planning & Study Design
Design and coordinate animal research programmes involving ruminants and supporting new product development, including proof-of-concept, dose-response, efficacy, product-performance and preliminary safety studies.
Define research objectives, study endpoints, success criteria, and evidence requirements to support product development decisions.
Develop study protocols, timelines, budgets, and resource requirements.
Prepare and manage animal ethics applications and ensure compliance with animal welfare and research quality requirements.
Study Management & Delivery
Lead the execution of animal studies conducted internally and through external research partners, including CROs, farms, veterinarians, and specialist laboratories.
Provide scientific oversight throughout study execution, ensuring adherence to protocols, data integrity, and animal welfare standards.
Participate in field activities, including study initiation, dosing, sample collection, and other critical study procedures as required.
Identify and resolve scientific and operational challenges, manage study risks, and ensure timely delivery of research milestones.
Scientific Analysis & Reporting
Critically evaluate study outcomes, including animal performance, efficacy, exposure, clinical pathology, and safety data.
Integrate findings across multiple studies and scientific disciplines to identify trends, inconsistencies, and gaps in evidence.
Interpret research results and develop scientifically sound recommendations to guide product development and future studies.
Prepare scientific reports, research summaries and presentations for internal stakeholders, management, and external partners.
Collaboration & Research Improvement
Work closely with product development, formulation, and analytical teams to ensure alignment between animal research and wider R&D objectives.
Build and maintain productive relationships with external research providers and scientific specialists.
Identify opportunities to improve study design, research methodologies, data quality, and research efficiency.
About you
We are looking for an experienced animal research scientist who combines strong scientific and analytical capabilities with the practical skills needed to manage and deliver animal studies, ideally involving ruminants or other livestock.
Specifically, we are interested in candidates who have:
A postgraduate qualification in animal science, veterinary science, toxicology, pharmacology, or another relevant scientific discipline.
At least four years of relevant experience designing, conducting, or managing animal studies in an agricultural, animal health, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related research environment.
Demonstrated experience in animal study design, execution, scientific data interpretation, and research reporting.
Experience evaluating animal safety, including clinical observations, pathology, toxicology, or related health assessments.
Experience working with or managing external research providers, including CROs, farms, veterinary services, and laboratories.
A sound understanding of animal ethics, animal welfare, and research quality requirements.
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently evaluate research findings and make scientifically justified recommendations.
Excellent organisational, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
The initiative, adaptability, and willingness to take ownership of research outcomes in a dynamic R&D environment.
You should also be comfortable working independently and taking a hands-on approach to field research when required.
Desirable
A PhD or veterinary qualification in a relevant discipline.
Experience conducting research involving ruminants.
Prior experience in commercial animal health, veterinary pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology product development.
Experience developing research programmes from early proof-of-concept through to product validation.
Proficiency in scientific data analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism or R.
We would also welcome interest from candidates with substantial academic research experience, particularly those who have independently designed, managed, and critically evaluated complex animal research programmes.
Benefits
Join an innovative agri-biotech company developing technology with significant potential to reduce global agricultural methane emissions.
Play an important role in research and product development, with direct input into scientific decisions and the progression of new technologies.
Work closely with an experienced scientific leader and collaborate with research organisations and specialists across New Zealand and internationally.
Enjoy a varied position combining scientific research, project management, external collaboration, and practical fieldwork.
Take advantage of opportunities for professional development, increasing responsibility, and potential progression into broader scientific leadership roles.
This is a full-time, permanent position based in New Zealand, offering a mix of research planning, scientific analysis, collaboration with internal R&D teams and hands-on fieldwork, with regular travel to research sites and external partners.
How to apply
Click Apply or contact us at [email protected] or +64 21 244 7567 for a confidential discussion.
About Index Recruitment
Index Scientific and Technical Recruitment is New Zealand's only recruitment company run by scientists. We specialise in serving science, technology, and manufacturing companies. We have the trust of some of the most successful New Zealand and international companies to identify talented technical specialists, managers, executives, regulatory and compliance professionals, and sales and business development specialists.
Our commitment lies in supporting New Zealand's innovation ecosystem and helping technology and manufacturing companies succeed both locally and internationally.