Laboratory Technician - Germplasm Health and Genomics

The Pacific Community (SPC)·Suva

Trades & Construction·Contract

FJD 1,987 - 2,483 per month·Posted 1 day ago

About the company

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by 27 country and territory members, working across more than 25 sectors. SPC is known for its knowledge and innovation in areas such as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The Land Resources Division (LRD) provides scientific advice, capacity building and services on plant genetic resources, forest and landscape management, and resilient agricultural systems to support food and nutrition security across the Pacific.

About the role

This role sits within CePaCT's Germplasm Health and Genomics Unit (GHGU) and directly assists the Scientist - Germplasm Health and Genomics with key outputs recommended by the Crop Trust Review team and supported by the new CePaCT Business Plan. The position covers virus indexing and labelling of CePaCT crop accessions, virus sanitation research and treatment of infected materials, and DNA fingerprinting including DNA extraction from allocated accessions. The technician also supports the broader functions of CePaCT, including assisting with conservation and distribution of crops, monitoring virus indexing crops in post-entry quarantine (PEQ), sourcing equipment and consumables, and maintaining lab hygiene. Work is carried out to help ensure GHGU meets international standards.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out virus indexing of CePaCT crop accessions as allocated by the Scientist-Germplasm Health and Genomics.
• Carry out labelling of CePaCT accessions with the correct health status.
• Maintain and update health testing record book and online databases as required by the Scientist-Germplasm Health and Genomics.
• Maintain the hygiene of the Germplasm Health and Genomics Unit (GHGU).
• Carry out virus sanitation research as directed by the Scientist-Germplasm Health and Genomics and virus clean infected materials.
• Build numbers for crop accessions and extract DNA from allocated accessions for DNA fingerprinting.
• Assist with conservation and distribution of CePaCT crops upon request and monitor virus indexing crops in PEQ.
• Assist in sourcing equipment and consumables and in the upkeep of overall CePaCT lab hygiene.

About the successful candidate

• A diploma in science or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
• At least 3 years of work experience in a similar setting.
• A working knowledge of viruses infecting tropical crops and diagnostics.
• Good working knowledge of biotechnology lab and equipment.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to design and implement experiments.
• Excellent English communication skills, oral and written.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.