Tissue Culture Specialist

Buckeye Relief•Eastlake, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

A tissue culture specialist is responsible for the scientific and production aspects of a tissue culture program, primarily focused on aseptic techniques to propagate plants or cells in a controlled laboratory environment. This includes tasks like media preparation, plant explanting, micropropagation, quality control, and maintaining a sterile workspace to produce disease-free, genetically identical plant material or cell lines for research or commercial purposes. The role also involves assisting in overseeing the entire tissue culture process, from initiating cultures to transferring plants to the greenhouse, while adhering to strict quality standards and documentation procedures. Additionally, this position will assist the rest of the Cultivation staff in performing other day-to-day tasks as needed, such as pruning, watering, harvesting, nutrient and water testing, recording and measuring plant data, crop manipulation and training, and room and equipment cleaning and sterilization.

Requirements

Passing of a respirator fit test and the ability to wear a full-face respirator when chemical safety labels require one.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of plant biology and tissue culture techniques
Expertise in aseptic techniques and sterile laboratory practices
Proficiency with laboratory equipment like autoclaves, centrifuges, and laminar flow hoods
Excellent attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping abilities
Ability to work independently and follow established protocols
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

Responsibilities

Formulating, mixing, and sterilizing media according to established protocols and recipes.
Performing all procedures under a laminar flow hood and maintaining sterility while preventing contamination.
Assisting in explant collection by carefully collecting and sanitizing plant tissue samples (explants) from donor plants for initiating cultures.
Actively multiplying plantlets through subculturing onto fresh media (micropropagation).
Gradually acclimating in vitro plants to greenhouse conditions before transferring them to rockwool/coco based media (plant hardening).
Performing weekly scouting checks on assigned section including physically inspecting plants.
Reporting pest/disease/plant health issues immediately to the IPM Team and Directors.
Working with IPM Team to schedule pesticide applications and foliar sprays, assisting in performing these applications if needed, following established record keeping and safety guidelines.
Communicating weekly with Irrigation and Controls team regarding observations on irrigation needs and equipment issues.
Hand watering growth chamber plants as needed.
Performing weekly canopy maintenance including pinching, light defoliating, spot pruning, training, etc. within the mom room and growth chamber.
Regularly monitoring cultures for contamination and ensuring consistent quality of plant material (quality control).
Working with Crop Optimization Team with regards to any experiments being performed in TC and the mom room.
Working with Veg Section Grower, Veg Technician and Nursery Specialists as needed on the upkeep of the mother plants.
Performing regular QC checks – especially during and after large cultivation staff events (transfer and pruning events).
Maintaining a detailed journal of crop generation observations to be compiled into a report after each harvest.
Performing weekly room upkeep tasks such as sweeping, mopping, etc.
Maintaining detailed records of culture progress, including observations, measurements, and any deviations from protocols (data recording and analysis).
Communicating with the Tissue Culture Manager for any supplies needed for purchase or maintenance.
Assisting with equipment maintenance including properly operating and maintaining laboratory equipment like autoclaves, incubators, microscopes and laminar flow hoods.
Identifying and resolving issues that may arise during the tissue culture process (troubleshooting).
Assisting the rest of the Cultivation staff in performing other day to day tasks as needed including but not limited to pruning, watering, harvesting, nutrient and water testing, recording, and measuring plant data, crop manipulation and training, room and equipment cleaning and sterilization.