Date Palm Tissue Culture Technician

Job description The date palm tissue culture technician is responsible for the initiation, maintenance, multiplication, and acclimatization of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plantlets using in vitro tissue culture techniques. The technician will support large-scale micropropagation, ensure culture quality, and maintain sterile laboratory operations in compliance with standard protocols. Scope of work / deliverables Initiate and maintain date palm explants (shoot meristems, somatic embryos) under aseptic conditions Prepare and sterilize culture media, reagents, and consumables Perform subculturing, multiplication, shooting, and rooting of in vitro cultures Monitor cultures for contamination, physiological disorders, and growth performance Conduct somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis protocols Assist with acclimatization and hardening of plantlets in the greenhouse Maintain detailed records of cultures, protocols, and production output Follow laboratory safety, hygiene, and quality control procedures Support protocol optimization and scaling-up activities Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Horticulture, Biological Sciences, or a related field (Associate degree/Diploma with relevant hands-on lab experience will also be considered) Hands-on experience in plant tissue culture, preferably with date palm Strong knowledge of aseptic techniques and culture media preparation Plant tissue transformation