Plant Tissue Culture Technician

About the Role

Eram Talent is seeking a Plant Tissue Culture Technician to join our team. This full-time position involves the laboratory-based propagation of rare, endangered, difficult-to-propagate, and high-value plant species using advanced tissue culture and micropropagation techniques. The role is integral to supporting living plant collections, plant conservation programs, and specialized in-vitro propagation activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Propagate rare, endangered, and high-value plant species through tissue culture and micropropagation.
• Initiate, establish, multiply, root, and maintain in-vitro plant cultures following species-specific protocols.
• Select and prepare suitable explant material for tissue culture initiation.
• Perform surface sterilization and maintain strict aseptic techniques to minimize contamination.
• Prepare and modify plant tissue culture media, including nutrients, vitamins, plant growth regulators, carbohydrates, and gelling agents.
• Monitor cultures for growth, development, contamination, physiological abnormalities, and overall performance.
• Conduct routine subculturing and transfer plant material under sterile conditions.
• Maintain appropriate temperature, photoperiod, light intensity, and other environmental conditions for tissue cultures.
• Operate, clean, sterilize, and maintain laboratory equipment such as autoclaves, laminar-flow cabinets, growth chambers, balances, pH meters, and microscopes.
• Monitor equipment performance and coordinate maintenance and calibration requirements.
• Implement laboratory cleaning, sterilization, contamination-control, and waste-management procedures.
• Identify sources of microbial contamination and implement corrective and preventive measures.
• Support the transfer and acclimatization of tissue-cultured plants from in-vitro to ex-vitro conditions.
• Develop, refine, document, and standardize tissue culture protocols for priority plant species.
• Maintain detailed records covering explant sources, media formulations, culture dates, subcultures, treatments, contamination rates, multiplication rates, rooting success, and plant survival.
• Maintain laboratory inventories of culture media components, consumables, chemicals, glassware, and sterile materials.
• Support plant conservation and recovery programs for endangered, threatened, rare, and difficult-to-propagate species.
• Assist with research and trials aimed at improving propagation success.
• Provide practical training and technical guidance to staff, interns, and students.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with applicable health, safety, chemical handling, biological material, biosecurity, and laboratory operating requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience required: 0-1 years in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience in plant tissue culture and micropropagation techniques.
• Proficiency in maintaining sterile laboratory conditions and aseptic techniques.
• Knowledge of plant physiology, growth regulators, and media preparation.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and precision in laboratory procedures.
• Ability to monitor and interpret plant growth and development.
• Competence in operating and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Excellent record-keeping and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Work Environment

This role operates within a laboratory setting, requiring adherence to strict health, safety, and biosecurity protocols. The position is full-time, contributing to critical plant conservation and propagation efforts.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to apply. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.