Research Techinician: Germplasm Bank Curator Assistant (12 Months Fixed Term Contract) (Bethlehem) at Agricultural Research Council

Description

• Laboratory support and sample management: monitoring and maintenance of seed samples,
• Germplasm bank equipment and facilities including lists of equipment’s and details of servicing: keeping detailed logs to ensure adherence to laboratory and field best practices, accession management including recording of all data in an electronic database of planted nurseries/breeding lines/cultivars and germplasm bank accessions, implementing quality control interventions, and producing reports,
• Preparation of seed and seedbed for planting,
• Supervising the planting of nurseries/breeding lines and cultivars,
• Maintenance of the plantings: weeding, pest control, disease control and watering of plants,
• Supervising the harvesting and threshing of nurseries/breeding lines/cultivars,
• Placing of seed in the drying room, monitoring of seed moisture content, and placing of dried seed in aluminium bags for long-term storage,
• Administration and related to germplasm bank including stock control for laboratory and germplasm bank consumables, health and safety compliance,
• Capacity development: training of interns, and students in germplasm bank practice, own capacity development by attending relevant courses and workshops,
• Germplasm bank equipment and facilities, including lists of equipment and details of servicing; keeping detailed logs to ensure adherence to laboratory best practice; sample management including recording of all data in an electronic database, implementing quality control interventions, and producing reports.

Requirements

•  A 3 year National Diploma or Bachelor of Science in Genetics/ Botany /Plant Breeding,
• Knowledge and understanding of germplasm bank operation requirements including the planting of nurseries, maintenance of seeds, standard laboratory practices and procedures,
• Operation of electronic database,
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite,
• Good written and verbal communication skills,
• A valid South African driver's license.