Plant Tissue Culture Technician

About the role

Eram Talent is seeking an experienced Plant Tissue Culture Technician to carry out laboratory-based propagation of rare, endangered, difficult-to-propagate and high-value plant species using tissue culture and micropropagation techniques. The role supports living plant collections, plant conservation programmes and specialised in-vitro propagation activities.

Key responsibilities

• Propagate rare, endangered and high-value species using tissue culture and micropropagation, and initiate, multiply, root and maintain in-vitro cultures according to species-specific protocols.
• Select and prepare explants, perform surface sterilisation and maintain strict aseptic technique.
• Prepare and modify culture media (nutrients, vitamins, growth regulators, carbohydrates, gelling agents).
• Maintain sterile conditions, control contamination, and monitor growth, development and physiological abnormalities.
• Perform routine subculturing and maintain temperature, photoperiod and light intensity.
• Operate and maintain autoclaves, laminar-flow cabinets, growth chambers, balances, pH meters and microscopes, and coordinate their maintenance and calibration.
• Support transfer and acclimatisation of plants from in-vitro to ex-vitro conditions, and develop and document micropropagation protocols.
• Maintain detailed records, manage inventory of media components and consumables, and support plant conservation and recovery programmes.
• Train staff, interns and students, and ensure compliance with health, safety, chemical handling, biosecurity and laboratory operating requirements.

Required profile

• Degree in Biology, Plant Biology, Botany, Biotechnology, Plant Sciences, Horticulture or a related field; formal training in tissue culture or micropropagation preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of laboratory experience in plant tissue culture and micropropagation.
• Experience with rare, endangered or high-value species is highly desirable.
• Previous experience in a botanic garden, research institution, university, conservation facility or commercial micropropagation laboratory preferred.

Required skills

• Hands-on experience with explant selection, surface sterilisation, aseptic handling and media preparation.
• Operating autoclaves, laminar-flow cabinets, growth chambers, pH meters, balances and microscopes.
• Troubleshooting contamination, culture decline and rooting problems.
• Strong record-keeping, data management and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to train others and work with botanists, horticulturists, researchers and academic institutions.