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