Role Description
Position Title:
MRI Technologist
Position Location:
Robinson Research Institute
The MRI Technologist must work in the best interests of the University including its
community of students and staff.
The MRI Technologist must also assist the University to meet its mission, and strive to
behave in a manner that reinforces the University’s values.
OUR VISION, OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE AND OUR VALUES
Our Vision:
Victoria University of Wellington will be a world-leading capital city university and one of the
great global-civic universities.
Our Mission and Purpose:
Victoria University of Wellington’s mission is to undertake excellent research, teaching and
public engagement in the service of local, national, regional and global communities
Our Values:
Victoria University of Wellington’s core ethical values are respect, responsibility, fairness,
integrity and empathy. These values are manifested in our commitment to civic engagement,
sustainability, inclusivity, equity, diversity and openness. We prize intellectual rigour and
independence, academic freedom, critical enquiry and excellence.
Purpose of the Organisational Unit
The Robinson Research Institute exists to lead innovative engineering and applied physics
endeavours which create substantial economic outcomes.
The Robinson Research Institute is named after Dr Bill Robinson, inventor of the lead rubber
bearing seismic isolation device and a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Science from
Victoria University in 1995.
The Institute’s research programmes currently include the development and/or application of:
 Superconductor devices such as rotating machines, transformers, scientific magnets
and MRI systems
 Superconducting Roebel cable and other specialist conductors
 Novel electric and magnetic materials
 Magnetic sensors materials and prototypes in non-destructive testing, detection,
monitoring and instrumenting
 Novel technologies within infrastructure networks for better asset management
 Novel technologies for manufacturing of advanced materials
Role Purpose and Scope
The role of MRI Technologist is to prepare and then perform on-site commissioning of an
HTS MRI system for use in food quality control.
The role will be predominantly based at RRI’s Gracefield campus in Lower Hutt where the
technologist will assist in upgrading and adapting the MRI system for use by the customer in
its new role. This will provide an opportunity to learn about MRI hardware and to become
familiar with the user interface.
The system will then be installed at the customer’s site in Australia, and the technologist will
be expected to work there for no more than two weeks to oversee commissioning and
provide initial training to the customer.
Should the technologist be interested, the role could be extended to designing and running
imaging trials working with the Melbourne based customer for up to three months. An
understanding of MRI pulse sequence design and optimisation, along with an understanding
of the MRI hardware will be required for the technologist to perform this extended aspect of
the role satisfactorily.
Key Result Areas
Science and engineering excellence
 Assists in upgrading and commissioning the RRI MRI system
 Provides general support to the magnet development team.
 Successfully conducts a range of defined tasks within scientific and/or engineering
projects under supervision.
 Conducts routine analysis, experimental and investigatory work according to an
agreed research plan in a logical, methodical manner.
 Communicate in written and oral formats the outcomes of projects to colleagues,
collaborators and clients as appropriate.
 Keeps up to date with science and engineering advances within their areas of
expertise.
 Establishes a reputation for professional competence and sound judgment.
Health and Safety
 Is aware of responsibilities regarding Health and Safety requirements both for self,
colleagues and working environment.
 Ensures the correct reporting paths are taken when an incident, near miss, etc occurs.
 Maintains the team’s requirements for Health and Safety and standard operating
procedures.
 Actively participates in all relevant training.
 Each year completes the University’s e-learning module Health & Safety at Victoria,
including the assessment.
 Is able to demonstrate actions in an emergency situation that are specific to the
workplace and are designed to keep individual safe.
Resource Management / Process Improvement
 Ensures the optimal use of available resources in delivering the planned outputs
within agreed timeframes.
Key Relationships
The MRI Technologist reports to the Magnet team leader of the RRI.
The MRI Technologist will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
The staff at the RRI; the customer to which the MRI system will be sent; the greater
University staff, contractors & clients.
Key Competencies
CORE COMPETENCIES
CLIENT FOCUS
Individuals who display this
competency understand and
believe in the importance of
client service. They listen to
and understand the needs of
internal and external clients.
They meet and exceed client
needs to ensure satisfaction
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SELF M ANAGEMENT
Individuals who display this
competency effectively plan
and organise their work to
achieve desired outcomes.
They are proactive, remain
focused, take action to
overcome obstacles and
follow through to completion
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Demonstrates the importance of client service by giving client needs top
priority
Proactively manages the client relationship, ensuring clients are kept up-todate
Deals effectively with clients by displaying a professional, courteous, and
empathetic approach
Thinks about issues from the clients perspective, understanding their area of
work and their needs
Continuously looks for better ways to meet or exceed client expectations
Anticipates issues the clients will face in the future
Liaises with other areas of work to ensure a seamless client service
Seeks feedback on the quality of service to clients and takes action to
improve services
Considers equity and diversity perspectives (e.g., Māori, Pasifika,
international students/staff, gender and disability) in interactions with clients,
colleagues and students
Takes personal responsibility for making things happen
Identifies, allocates and manages time and resources required to achieve
outcomes
Sticks to a task until the desired results are achieved efficiently and
effectively within agreed timeframes
Sets up and maintains systems for checking the quality of work outputs
Perseveres in the face of adversity and resistance, with a ‘can do’ attitude
Successfully adapts to changing demands and conditions
Remains calm and is able to continue with the primary task and work
effectively when faced with heightened levels of pressure/stress
INTEGRITY
Individuals who display this
competency are open,
honest and consistent in
behaviour and can be relied
upon. They generate
confidence in others through
their professional and ethical
behaviour
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INNOVATION
Individuals who display this
competency question the
way things are done, learn
from past mistakes and
generate new and creative
ideas to improve the status
quo
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Sets and maintains high professional standards
Deals with others in a respectful and fair way
Displays ethical and professional behaviour in all situations
Follows established organisational policies and procedures
Demonstrates openness and honesty when dealing with issues, day to day
tasks and people
Follows through on commitments
Applies consistent standards that are fair and objective to all situations
Does not compromise own standards, despite pressures
Does not use information or their position for personal gain
Proactively assesses own work patterns in order to improve efficiency and
effectiveness
Takes the initiative and originates action required to improve the status quo
Thinks in terms of opportunities and possibilities
Considers past mistakes and practices and learns from them when
considering and developing new ideas
Builds on ideas suggested by others to develop new solutions
Transfers processes used in one environment to a totally new environment
Develops unique solutions that are not limited by previous solutions
ROLE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
COMMUNICATION
Individuals who display this
competency effectively
communicate with a wide
range of people in all
situations, both orally and in
writing
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Checks for mutual understanding
Demonstrates effective listening skills
Adjusts communication style to suit the needs of the audience
Communicates key points clearly and concisely
Presents ideas in a logical sequence
Uses non-discriminatory language
Reinforces key messages to ensure the correct message is received
Communicates without using inappropriate jargon or phrases
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Presents complex ideas and concepts effectively
Breaks problems down into logical stages
Checks the quality, validity and relevance of information sought
Identifies issues, relationships and/or trends amongst information
Interprets and/or reorganises information and looks for alternative solutions
to the problems
Researches issues thoroughly using a suitable methodology
ANALYSIS & JUDGEMENT
Individuals who display this
competency are able to
identify and analyse issues
and problems, consider
alternatives, make sound
decisions and commit to a
course of action
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TEAMWORK
Individuals who display this
competency show a genuine
intention to work cooperatively with others in a
team setting in order to
achieve results and team
goals
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Escalates issues when appropriate, or involves relevant others in decision
making
Contributes to and supports team activities
Accepts share of workload, to help others and the team
Demonstrates respect towards all other team members
Participates effectively in group discussions and activities and encourages
others to do the same
Shares ideas/information, resources, and experience with team members
Is open minded, listens to others points of view
Actively participates in the development of team values, goals and
performance standards
Participates effectively in diverse and cross-disciplinary teams
Education, Experience and Knowledge required
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics or Engineering is required and some postgraduate experience in a technical working environment is desirable. Previous experience
with magnetic resonance technology is highly desirable.
Candidates should possess some of the following skills:
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Basic MRI pulse sequence development and optimization
An understanding of MRI system components and integration
Knowledge of MR imaging applications in a medical environment
Experiment design and data analysis
Self-organisation
Problem solving aptitude
Good communication skills
Presentation of results to customers
Delegations
Financial delegation
All Staff
 May be provided a Victoria University Purchasing Card and will be required to
effectively self-manage spending if a card is issued.
Performance Criteria
An individual Plan will be developed that reflects the contribution this position is expected to
make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. The Plan will contain
objectives that are consistent with the Key Result Areas in this Role Description.
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS SCHEDULE: CAs/GTCs
POSITION TITLE:
MRI Technician
In the event that you are successful in your application for the position, for the first 30 days of your
employment you will be covered by an Individual Employment Agreement, the terms of which are contained
in the General Staff Collective Agreement (CA). After the 30-day period, if you choose not to join a union
that is a party to the CA, you will become a party to the General Terms and Conditions for General Staff
(GTC). The GTC is consistent with the CA except it has no reference to any union.
The table below describes the core employment conditions that are attached to the position you are applying
for.
Core Employment
Conditions
Collective Agreement
(CA)/General Terms and
Conditions (GTC)
Tenure
Full-time / Fixed Term
Hours per week 37.5
Salary range
for the position
$41,601 - $47,525
gross per annum
Allowances
As per the CA
Standard holiday
provisions
4 weeks annual leave
University Holidays
5 days as per the CA