Tissue Culture Research Assistant I

Description

Position Purpose

Assist with activities of the rare plant program, especially tissue culture (micropropagation) of rare plants in the Ahearn Desert Conservation Laboratory

Essential Duties

· Assist with plant propagation using in vitro culture techniques (micropropagation, tissue culture) including:

o Assist with subculturing plants to new media

o Assist with starting new cultures

o Help with development of protocols for new species

o Record keeping

o Follow SOPs to prepare tissue culture media by accurately weighing/measuring and mixing components, adjusting to specification (e.g., pH), dispensing into vessels, labeling, and completing batch records

· Data collection and recording

· Assist with field work to collect samples, including specimens in the Garden

· Maintain clean lab space and contribute to general lab upkeep

Position Information:

Job Type: Part Time 

Hours: 20-29 hours per week

Pay: $23.00/hr

Requirements

Competencies

· Experience in micropropagation (tissue culture), and/or aseptic conditions

· Some propagation experience and botanical and ecological knowledge of native Sonoran Desert plants is a plus

· Familiarity with laboratory environments

· Strong attention to detail; ability to take detailed notes

· Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills

· Ability to work outdoors in a variety of terrains and conditions

· Valid driver’s license is required

· Highschool diploma or equivalent required

Equipment Used

Typical office equipment; this role will also use lab and field equipment specific to the needs of research areas of inquiry, including mixing media and autoclave.

Internal Communication

Regular communication with Garden employees and volunteers. 

External Communication

Communication to potential donors and/or Garden members through tours of the lab or other outreach. Periodic contributions to grant reports. Work may have the opportunity for external meetings, presentations, posters, or contributions to publications. 

Working Conditions

Physical demands include both those associated with a normal office environment, and outdoor work, which could be in the Garden or in the field (local, regional). Field work may include extremely hot or cold conditions.

Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity required. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.

All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.