Plant & Soil Research Technician – Hands-On & Greenhouse

Kelly Services; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services seeks a Lab & Greenhouse Technician Contractor to join a four-person research team. The role focuses on hands-on handling of soil and plant materials, setup, movement, and disposal in lab and greenhouse environments.

This role requires aseptic technique, plant science knowledge, and the ability to work physically with plants, soil, trays, carts, and research materials; schedule includes early start times and occasional Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Background in Biology, Plant Science, or related discipline preferred.
• One to two years laboratory/greenhouse or research experience may substitute for degree.
• Aseptic technique required and sterile handling experience.
• Knowledge of plant science and handling plant material essential.
• Hands-on with physical handling of plants, soil, trays, carts, samples.
• Experience with fungal cultures preferred.
• Safety practices for chemical handling, PPE, and waste disposal.
• Ability to work independently and in a small team.
• Attention to labeling, organization, and detail.
• Willingness to perform physical tasks like moving carts.

Responsibilities

• Handle, move, organize, tag, weigh, bag, and dispose of plant and soil materials used in research studies.
• Prepare research studies by placing plants into trays and pots, tagging plants, arranging materials, and assisting with research applications.
• Mark plants for mobility studies and breakdowns, move plant materials onto carts, and support downstream handling and disposal activities.
• Work directly with plants in greenhouse environments, including moving trays and carts, cutting flats into individual pots, handling plant material, and maintaining organized work areas.
• Prepare research media, specified solutions, tubes, and bottles according to established procedures.
• Assist with inoculating and harvesting stock, prepare inoculum for plant studies, and support large-pot and leaf-disc projects.
• Prepare, maintain, harvest, and store fungal cultures under sterile conditions while following contamination-control procedures.
• Clean and rinse glassware and laboratory equipment and sterilize materials using an autoclave.
• Safely handle and apply fungicides and other research-related chemicals in accordance with established protocols.
• Properly wear and use required Personal Protective Equipment, including Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), for chemical and other hazardous tasks.
• Maintain proper chemical labeling, storage, and disposal practices in accordance with safety guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Wash and move carts, clean work areas, cut flats into individual pots, bag and weigh plant material for disposal, and maintain clean laboratory and greenhouse benches and floors.
• Empty and replace hazardous and non-hazardous waste containers appropriately.
• Scrub Growth and Dew Rooms and stock laboratories and greenhouses with necessary supplies.
• This position should not be viewed as a traditional laboratory technician role centered on sitting at a bench and performing tests or analytical measurements. The majority of the work involves hands-on support of plant and soil research, including moving and organizing plant materials, setting up and breaking down studies, handling samples, preparing inoculum, applying chemicals, cleaning equipment and facilities, and maintaining research areas.

Skills

Plant handling

Tray setup

Pots & movement

Greenhouse support

Aseptic technique

Media prep

Inoculum prep

Fungal culture

PPE usage

Chemicals handling

PAPRs

Lab sanitation

Waste management

Education

Biology/Plant Science degree preferred

Job description

Kelly Services seeks a Lab & Greenhouse Technician Contractor to join a four-person research team. The role focuses on hands-on handling of soil and plant materials, setup, movement, and disposal in lab and greenhouse environments.

This role requires aseptic technique, plant science knowledge, and the ability to work physically with plants, soil, trays, carts, and research materials; schedule includes early start times and occasional Saturdays.