Part-Time Plant Molecular Biology Lab Assistant

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to provide hands-on support for plant biology research in both greenhouse and laboratory settings. The role includes watering, media preparation, tissue culture work, and assisting with routine molecular biology tasks.

You will help maintain plants and experiments, prepare reagents, and support large-scale planting activities while adhering to biosafety and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Experience with greenhouse and laboratory environments.
• Ability to perform repetitive plant-related tasks.
• Willingness to learn and adopt new techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assist with greenhouse and growth-room operations, including watering, fertilization, plant care.
• Prepare and maintain greenhouse growing media, propagation materials, and planting supplies.
• Assist with large-scale plantings, transplanting, propagation, and harvesting.
• Prepare tissue culture media, measure reagents, prepare solutions, and assist with sterilization/storage.
• Assist with plant tissue culture and propagation activities, maintaining cultures and materials.
• Support routine molecular biology tasks following established protocols.
• Prepare buffers, solutions, reagents, and other laboratory materials.
• Maintain clean, organized, and stocked greenhouse and laboratory workspaces.
• Assist with sample collection, labeling, organization, and record keeping.
• Help maintain laboratory and greenhouse equipment, supplies, and inventories.
• Follow laboratory, greenhouse, biosafety, and safety procedures.
• Assist research staff with ongoing experiments and other projects as needed.

Skills

Greenhouse ops

Plant propagation

Tissue culture

Lab tasks

Molecular biology

Record keeping

Pest monitoring

Tools

Sterilization equipment

Job description

Penn State University is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to provide hands-on support for plant biology research in both greenhouse and laboratory settings. The role includes watering, media preparation, tissue culture work, and assisting with routine molecular biology tasks.

You will help maintain plants and experiments, prepare reagents, and support large-scale planting activities while adhering to biosafety and safety protocols.