0078422T Research Associate Hrpp

Duties and Responsibilities

(NOTE: ** denotes Essential Functions)

1. **Manages the Micropropagation and Cryopreservation Program; responsible for the conception, coordination and initiation of all aspects of protocol development, research activities, research analyses and reporting.

2. ** Contributes to germplasm conservation research and implementation of current and new strategies for the micropropagation (in vitro propagation and medium-term storage) and cryopreservation (long-term storage) of rare and endangered native Hawaiian plants as well as culturally significant plants (e.g. taro, sweet potato, banana).

3. **Initiates and establishes the micropropagation and cryogenic plant collections, collect and input research data, and provide analytical assistance to the Hawaiian Rare Plant Program (HRPP) Director.

4. **Maintains the integrity of the in vitro plant germplasm inventory in the micropropagation and cryopreservation programs through routine monitoring, sampling, and sub-culturing.

5. **Advises the HRPP Director and project collaborators on the progress of the Micropropagation and Cryopreservation Laboratory in respect to the status of the plans and tasks conceived and implemented; and any actual or perceived actions that result in changes to the overall policies, procedures or directives of the HRPP.

6. **Provides oral and/or written status reports and feedback to conservation partners and plant collections depositors, and assist the Program Director in the filing of reports to regulatory agencies.

7. **Monitors and assesses the micropropagation and cryopreserved plant inventories at regular intervals throughout the year, including the HRPP derived plant inventories in the greenhouse.

8. **Sets the Micropropagation/Cryopreservation Program operating performance standards, and works with staff to monitor for overall compliance in accordance to the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health law (HOSHL) Standards and fire safety and safety standards, within the Hawaiian Rare Plant Program facilities.

9. **Prepares plant growth nutrient media, stock solutions, and sterile lab supplies necessary to grow in vitro cultures.

10. **Facilitates the transfer of plant materials from the Hawaiian Rare Plant Program to and from its partner organizations.

11. **Leads in the training of volunteers, interns and student assistants.

12. **Oversees the transfer of plant inventories from the Micropropagation Laboratory to the Horticulture greenhouse, in coordination with the Horticulture Manager.

13. **Oversees the inventory and re-stocking of general laboratory and field supplies, materials, chemicals, tools and equipment used in the micropropagation and cryopreservation programs.

14. **Develops and updates training and lab protocol materials, and safety and operational guidelines for the Micropropagation/Cryopreservation program.

15. **Receives and ensure that all plant collections have proper documentation to accompany any submission to the Hawaiian Rare Plant Facility.

16. **Photo-documents plant samples when new taxa are accessioned, and provide pictures needed for specific projects, and to document pertinent research processes and/or findings.

17. **Conducts tours of the Hawaiian Rare Plant Program Faciliity as needed, and assist in answering any questions concerning the program, or redirect them to someone who may be able to provide appropriate answers.

18. Produces data analyses and summaries, technical writing/publications, and the production of reports to the HRPP Director, funding and regulatory agencies, and collaborators in order to assist in the design and implementation of program strategies

19. Applies or adapts standard policies, principles, regulations, and currently accepted methods and practices of micropropagation and cryopreservation.

20. Receives ongoing micropropagation and cryopreservation training through conferences, workshops, and training sessions at other Cryogenic Plant Conservation laboratories. Responsible for devising and implementing work schedules and task assignments for all subordinate staff, student assistants and volunteers.

21. Other duties as assigned