Temporary Plant Tissue Culture Lab Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : UH Manoa - CTAHR, Hilo, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number: 2026-01524
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
Division: Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 0097470T
Description
Title: Research Support Staff
Position Number: 0097470T
Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC)
Location: Komohana Research & Extension Center; Hilo, HI
Date Posted: July 24, 2026
Closing Date: August 7, 2026, 11:59PM HST
Band: A
Salary : salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Month: 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: This position is subject to availability of funding and renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or availability of funding. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by August 7, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Please see application instructions.
Duties and Responsibilities

1. *Performs aseptic plant tissue culture techniques, including initiation, multiplication, and propagation of key plant material.
2. *Maintains strict sterile laboratory environments, including washing specialized tissue culture equipment and ensuring contamination control.
3. *Prepares culture media in accordance with established laboratory protocols.
4. *Operates autoclaves and other sterilization equipment to properly sterilize lab ware, media, and tools.
5. *Monitors and records the growth, development, and health metrics of flasked plants, identifying and mitigating any signs of contamination.
6. *Acclimates and propagates tissue-cultured plants within a greenhouse setting to prepare them for external environments.
7. *Collaborates with the Lab Manager to support educational outreach initiatives and laboratory training events.
8. *Applies independent judgment to troubleshoot culture growth issues and optimize micropropagation workflows.
9. Coordinates the distribution and logistics of mature plant materials to external stakeholders.
10. Performs supplementary administrative office tasks or agricultural field work as dictated by seasonal program demands and workload needs.
11. Other duties as assigned.

*Denotes Essential Functions
Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of baccalaureate degree in Plant and Soil Sciences, or related field and 1 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for analyses of plant material, feeds and forages, soil, and/or nutrient solutions; and/or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
2. Functional knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of plant tissue culture activities demonstrated by knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts, terminology.
3. Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws, rules, regulations and systems associated with standard laboratory safety guidelines, protocols, and basic compliance requirement associated with plant tissue culture acclimation and propagation.
4. Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve the full range problems that may commonly occur in the area of plant cell propagation aseptic techniques and monitoring.
5. Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software.

Supplemental Qualifications

1. Basic knowledge of standard methods and procedures used in processing plant tissue or biological materials, and the ability to learn to operate basic laboratory equipment safely.
2. Familiarity with foundational concepts of laboratory instrumentation (such as spectroscopy) and a willingness to be trained on specialized analytical equipment.
3. Ability to understand and accurately follow written and oral laboratory instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and communicate clearly with co-workers.
4. Ability to follow established workflows and maintain an organized laboratory workspace.
5. Demonstrated attention to detail, fine motor skills necessary for handling sensitive materials, and the ability to strictly maintain a sterile, contamination-free environment.

TO APPLY: Click in the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

1. Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
2. Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV);
3. Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
4. Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire).

• Any confidential data should be redacted (e.g. social security number, date of birth, etc).
• Diplomas will not be accepted.

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.
Inquiries: Dr. Kevin Olival, kolival@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
YOUR JOB BENEFITS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I
The University of Hawai'i is committed to providing benefits that matter to you at each stage of your employment. In addition to competitive salary, we offer a wide variety of resources and benefits programs to our employees, such as a comprehensive health care insurance, pension/retirement program, life insurance, supplemental retirement savings plans, vacation leave, sick leave, paid holidays, child care assistance and education assistance programs. To view a summary of the employee benefits, please visit: or for more detailed information, please visit:
01
Do you have a baccalaureate degree in Plant and Soil Sciences, or related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have at least one (1) year of responsible professional experience with responsibilities for analyses of plant material, feeds and forages, soil, and/or nutrient solutions; and/or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated?

• Yes
• No

03
Complete applications and all requested document attachments must be submitted before first review and/or close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Do you attest that you understand that incomplete applications (as described in the "To Apply" section) will not be reviewed by the hiring committee?

• Yes, I acknowledge that incomplete applications will not be referred or reviewed by the hiring committee.

Required Question