RESEARCH ASSISTANT-INVITRO GENBANK

Agricultural Research Council; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization in Gauteng is seeking a candidate to support research projects through assistance in plant propagation, data collection, and adherence to quality standards. The ideal candidate will contribute to processes in the laboratory while ensuring clean and safe practices. Responsibilities include preparing growth media, assisting with training, and maintaining lab equipment. Attention to detail is crucial to prevent errors and support the effective functioning of the Genebank.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research by supporting personnel to ensure project completion.
• Assist with in vitro propagation, monitoring, and maintenance of plants.
• Prepare growth media and consumables for tissue culture activities.
• Optimize laboratory processes while adhering to quality standards.
• Utilize materials and equipment cost-effectively and maintain proper storage.
• Collect data and provide feedback on activities to supervisors.
• Meet deadlines and assist in training of junior staff.
• Comply with Occupational Health and Safety policies.
• Label, culture, and track plant materials correctly.
• Limit errors in Genebank processes by paying attention to detail.
• Compile and submit work reports to the supervisor.
• Maintain general cleanliness and hygiene in the laboratory.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research by rendering desired support to research and technical personnel to ensure successful completion of research projects in compliance with applicable standards.
• Assist with in vitro propagation, monitoring and maintenance of plants.
• Assist with preparation of growth media and consumables according to protocols for tissue culture and glasshouse activities.
• Assist in optimizing research, technical and administrative processes in the laboratory and adheres to quality standards.
• Assist with the utilisation of material and equipment in a cost-effective manner and ensuring that relevant laboratory glassware and equipment is cleaned, maintained, and stored correctly.
• Assist with data collection, recording and providing verbal and written feedback on work activities to supervisor.
• Ensure that own and team deadlines are met.
• Assist with training of junior staff.
• Compliant with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures.
• Perform correct labelling, culturing and tracking of plant materials and conduct checks to limit errors and accidents.
• Pay attention to detail and be precise with repetitive work in order to limit/prevent occurrence of errors in Genebank processes.
• Compile and submission of work reports to supervisor.
• General cleaning and hygiene maintenance of all areas in the Laboratory.