Tissue Culture Lab Manager

Berry Sweet Research (BSR) is a fruit breeding company, a subsidiary of Wish Farms Inc., focused on developing proprietary raspberry and blackberry varieties tailored for premium flavor, high yield, and strong postharvest performance.

Wish Farms, established in 1922, is a family owned and operated grower, shipper, and marketer of berries. From growing regions throughout the USA, Canada, South America, and Mexico, Wish Farms is a nationally recognized year-round supplier of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

We have an exciting career opportunity available for a talented and motivated individual to join our fruit breeding team in Salinas, California as a Tissue Culture Lab Manager. The Tissue Culture Lab Manager will ensure healthy growth of Berry Sweet Research blackberry and raspberry plants in lab, light room, and greenhouse settings. Qualified individuals will need to have a strong background in plant tissue culture and propagation techniques with additional experience or training in plant pathology.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

× Lead and perform tissue culture and plant propagation protocols for raspberry and blackberry.

× Collaborate with external pathologists and pathogen testing labs to assure pathogen free status of propagating lines.

× Collaborate with plant breeders to establish and maintain clean stock of advancing selections and breeding lines.

× Responsibilities include planning, performing, and supervising all tissue culture and plant propagation work in lab, light room, and greenhouse settings.

× Collaborate and grow healthy parents, seedlings, and selections at all stages of development including lab and light room, acclimatization in the greenhouse and hardening for field planting.

× Lead and perform virus testing/elimination, meristem tip culture, and in vitro plant propagation.

× Certify the lab, lightroom and greenhouse as pest-free and maintain/propagate desirable advanced selections to release and distribute to Wish Farms and partner growers in USA.

× Coordinate official certification of virus and pathogens status to receive phytosanitary permits to distribute the plant varieties.

× Assist in tissue collection, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and qPCR for pathogen identification.

× Develop yearly timelines and internal protocols to ensure timely plant deliveries.

× Train other team members to assist in all lab, light room and greenhouse protocols.

× Keep the lab and work areas clean, perform proper lab practices using sterile techniques and abide by Berry Sweet Research safety protocols, and Cal/OSHA requirements.

× Maintain inventory of lab chemicals, reagents and supplies and place orders as needed.

× Organize, maintain, and update all equipment documents, including manuals and maintenance schedules. Perform preventative maintenance to ensure that all equipment is properly maintained.

× Prepare and deliver electronic data reports and presentations, as related to lab, light room and greenhouse work completed.

× Collaborate to study ploidy levels of specified germplasm and develop internal Rubus organogenesis /embryogenesis techniques for biotechnology applications.

REQUIREMENTS:

× Must be passionate about plant tissue culture and propagation techniques.

× Knowledge of plant tissue culture and propagation techniques for perennial cropsin lab, light room and greenhouse settings is desired.

× B.S. in plant pathology, horticulture, plant science, or other related field with hands-on experience in a plant tissue culture or research lab. M.S. and/or 2 years of work experience in a commercial scale plant tissue culture or research lab is a plus.

× Experience with plant tissue sampling, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR is a plus.

× Must be self-motivated and can work both independently and as a team. Must be creative, innovative and be a results-oriented team player.

× Ability to gather and accurately enter lab and greenhouse data via tablet or computer with proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

× Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods in lab, light room, and greenhouse. Able to lift weights of up to 25 lbs. without assistance.

× Fluency in English and Spanish (a plus) with excellent communication skills.

× Follow Berry Sweet Research Employee and Safety Handbooks.

× A valid driver’s license is required for occasional travel in CA.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000