Laboratory Assistant

Requirements
Minimum Qualification - Bachelor degree in Plant Science or related field. Preferred Qualification Desired skills - Excellent listening skills, ability to follow protocols, willingness to learn new skills, and detail oriented. - Experience producing clones in commercial nursery. - Prior experience with sterile technique and maintaining plant tissue culture. - Working familiarity with the maintenance and archiving of laboratory documents, SOP's including electronic record keeping, and electronic inventory management. - Must have excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. - Must be able to perform delicate work with small hand tools for long periods of time. Experience - 1-2 years' experience with plant tissue culture, nursery production, plant propagation, a sterile laboratory setting or some combination thereof is strongly preferred. - Sets up, operates and maintains fingerprinting laboratory equipment and apparatus. Modifies equipment according to experiments specification and requirements. - Reception and preparation of samples designated for testing from growth chambers, greenhouses, nurseries, and clients as per the established sampling programs. - DNA extraction, purification, quantification and PCR amplification for DNA fingerprinting of samples, as per the instructed protocols. - Data analysis of processed samples and record-keeping and archiving of reports of analyzed samples. - Conduct research assignments as allocated by director / supervisor and reports on the status of research activities. - Assist in training of visiting students and interns in molecular biology techniques. - Optimization of molecular biology techniques / protocols and maintenance of general laboratory cleanliness, organization and safety. - Ordering and management of needed chemicals, consumables, equipment and electronic inventory-keeping of the same. - Interprets, synthesizes and analyses data using scientific or statistical techniques and write material for publication and presentation. - Other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.