Student Plant Biology Lab & Greenhouse Assistant

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Laboratory Assistant at The Pennsylvania State University provides hands-on support for ongoing plant biology research, covering greenhouse operations, plant propagation, tissue culture, and general laboratory activities. The role collaborates with research staff to maintain plants and experiments, and to prepare materials and reagents for large-scale activities.

The successful candidate will assist with plant tissue culture, routine molecular biology tasks, and maintaining safe,

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with greenhouse operations or plant care is advantageous.
• Familiarity with basic laboratory procedures and safety guidelines.
• Knowledge of tissue culture and plant propagation techniques is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist with greenhouse and growth-room operations including watering, fertilization, pest monitoring, and general plant care.
• Prepare and maintain greenhouse media, propagation materials, and planting supplies.
• Support large-scale plantings, transplantation, propagation, and harvesting of research plants.
• Prepare tissue culture media and assist with sterilization, storage, and dispensing.
• Assist with plant tissue culture and propagation activities, maintaining cultures and preparing materials for experiments.
• Support routine molecular biology and laboratory tasks following established protocols.
• Prepare buffers, solutions, reagents, and other laboratory materials.
• Maintain clean, organized greenhouse and laboratory workspaces and assist with sample collection and labeling.
• Help manage laboratory and greenhouse equipment, supplies, and inventories.
• Follow laboratory, greenhouse, biosafety, and safety procedures and assist with ongoing experiments.

Skills

Greenhouse operations

Laboratory tasks

Molecular biology

Tissue culture

Plant propagation

Record keeping

Pest monitoring

Job description

The Laboratory Assistant at The Pennsylvania State University provides hands-on support for ongoing plant biology research, covering greenhouse operations, plant propagation, tissue culture, and general laboratory activities. The role collaborates with research staff to maintain plants and experiments, and to prepare materials and reagents for large-scale activities.

The successful candidate will assist with plant tissue culture, routine molecular biology tasks, and maintaining safe,