Plant Conservation Lab Technician

Lauritzen Gardens; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Lauritzen Gardens seeks a Part-Time Plant Conservation Lab Technician to support tissue culture work, sample processing, storage, and general lab duties at our 100-acre garden in Omaha. You will manage seeds, perform tissue culture on imperiled species, conduct DNA extractions, maintain equipment, and support research and collections.

The position begins as part-time through 2026 and moves to full-time in 2027, with emphasis on rigorous data management, safety, and collaboration with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or associate degree plus experience in plant science, biology, ecology, horticulture, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and sterile techniques, preferably with tissue culture.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow protocols accurately and maintain thorough documentation.
• Experience working in a botanical garden, biological laboratory, or research institution (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Assist with operations of a plant conservation laboratory in a botanical garden.
• Perform tissue culture techniques, media prep, sterilization, germination, micropropagation, subculturing.
• Propagate and maintain collections through in vitro tissue culture and greenhouse work.
• Assist with conservation research projects and data collection; possible field work.
• Follow SOPs and document cultures and experiments with rigorous data management.
• Monitor cultures for growth, contamination, and progress; document observations.
• Prepare and inventory culture media, reagents, and lab supplies; dispose of waste.
• Adhere to safety protocols and institutional policies.
• Ensure proper operation, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Tissue culture

Sterile technique

Data management

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor's degree in plant biology/related

Associate degree in related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Sterilization equipment

Job description

Join an Award-Winning Garden Destination

About Our Organization

Lauritzen Gardens—named Best Attraction in the 2025 Omaha Metropolitan Area Tourism Awards and ranked #3 by USA Today for Top Botanical Gardens in the United States—is a 100-acre urban oasis showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Nebraska landscape.

As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to conservation across the Great Plains, environmentally responsible horticulture, and creating meaningful, inspiring experiences for our community. Our team takes pride in maintaining a world-class destination where people can connect with nature year-round.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Lauritzen Gardens, your work directly supports a beautiful, mission-driven environment—and we make sure our team is supported too.

Job Summary

The Plant Conservation Lab Technician position at Lauritzen Gardens supports plant conservation by performing tissue culture work, biological sample processing and storage, and general lab duties. This position manages the cleaning, processing, and storage of seeds, perform tissue culture work with imperiled plant species, conduct DNA extractions, maintain laboratory equipment, and process scientific data for collections and research.

This is a part-time job until the end of 2026 and will move to full-time in 2027.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with the operations of a plant conservation laboratory in a botanical garden setting.
• Perform plant tissue culture techniques, including media preparation, sterilization, seed germination, micropropagation, subculturing, and acclimatization while maintaining sterile lab conditions.
• Propagate and maintain collections of important conservation species through in vitro tissue culture systems and some greenhouse operations.
• Assist with conservation research projects, including experimental trials, projects, and data collection, and potentially limited work in field conditions.
• Follows SOPS (Standard Operating Procedures) and scientific protocols, keeps exact and accurate records and inventories of cultures and experiments, and adheres to rigorous data management practices.
• Monitor cultures for growth, contamination, and developmental progress and document observations.
• Prepare, label, and manage inventory of culture media, reagents, chemicals, and other lab supplies, and safely dispose of chemical and biological waste.
• Adhere to safety protocols, security guidelines, and institutional policies.
• Ensure proper operation, cleaning, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or associate degree plus experience in plant science, biology, ecology, horticulture, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and sterile techniques, preferably with tissue culture.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to follow protocols accurately and maintain thorough documentation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience working in a botanical garden, biological laboratory, or research institution (preferred).
• Knowledge of orchid biology, conservation biology, or plant propagation (preferred).
• Experience with imperiled species conservation or ex situ collections (preferred).
• Familiarity with data management systems or laboratory information systems (preferred).

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to work and stand for extended periods of time in a laboratory environment.
• Manual dexterity for fine laboratory work.
• Ability to lift and carry laboratory supplies (up to [weight, e.g., 25 lbs.).
• Occasional work in greenhouse, nursery, or field environments.