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Junior Research Fellow/ Project Associate I - DBT INDIGO

Job Details

Post                                    : Junior Research Fellow/ Project Associate I

No. of Vacancy                :  One

Language                         : English, Kannada

Location                           : Bangalore, Karnataka

Experience                        :M.Sc. in Immunology with 1 year experience gained through a Masters Project                                   

Application due date      : 10th April, 2021

Salary                               : Rs. 31000+24% HRA as per DBT Sanction order

Qualification                          :

Junior Research Fellow (JRF)

Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science OR Graduate/Post Graduate Degree in Professional Course selected through a process described through any one of the following:

- Scholars who are selected through National Eligibility Tests-CSIR-UGC NET including lectureship (Assistant Professorship) and GATE

- The selection process through National level examinations conducted by Central Government Departments and their agencies and institutions such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MHRD, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER etc.

                         OR

Master’s Degree in Natural or Agricultural Sciences/ MVSc or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology or Medicine from recognized University or equivalent.

Brief Description about the Project:  

Despite the availability of flu vaccines for decades, influenza is still an important disease in both developing and developed countries with 500,000 casualties annually and many more people affected. From a global health perspective, the lack of effectivity, availability, affordability and accessibility of flu vaccines significantly limits our ability to respond to the seasonal flu every year and in the event of a pandemic. Currently, a low vaccine effectivity of 40% implies that 60% of vaccinated people are not sufficiently protected, with low confidence further contributing to limited uptake/immunization. In this project, public and private R&D organizations in India, EU and US collaborate on the development of two novel influenza vaccine concepts that meet the requirements of global vaccination, aiming to achieve <10>

The first approach combines a low dose of a commercial, inactivated, seasonal flu vaccine with a novel, potent adjuvant, and will deliver proof-of-concept in Phase I and IIa trials within 5 years.

The second approach builds on three innovations: 1) a novel recombinant HA with increased immunogenicity, 2) a potent adjuvant, and 3) an easy, needle-free delivery by intradermal patches. Contra-productive parts of HA will be removed to increase the immunogenicity of neutralizing epitopes. The adjuvant further stimulates protective immunity and immunological memory. The use of intradermal patches opens possibilities for self-administration, which will improve vaccine uptake in developing as well as developed countries. With proven nonclinical immunogenicity and safety, we will embark on clinical development of this concept after completion of the project. These plans differ in complexity and timelines but are realistic with chances to deliver next-generation flu vaccines for the globe.

Core Responsibilities:

  • To conduct primary research as per the INDIGO award, including research towards stated goals and exploratory research within the confines of the INDIGO award in consultation with Dr. Vyakarnam and the overall PI of the EU-DBT award:Dr. G Kang CMC Vellore
  • To work under supervision of Lead Project Scientist of INDIGO project in set up of immune assays and processing of clinical samples
  • To undertake key scientific administrative duties in placing ordering and maintaining an overview of expenditure
  • To communicate work plan and data in weekly scientific laboratory meetings
  • To undertake scholarly research activities such as scientific literature analysis and to show keenness to keep abreast of the current field and to effectively communicate academic thinking

Specific Activities

  • To set up under guidance and execute immune assays in conjunction with discussions with Project Scientist appointed to INDIGO project and with project Dr. Vyakarnam
  • To place orders for consumables and maintain records of finance expenditure
  • To effectively communicate with staff members of the wider department at SJRI and provide scientific data updates to Dr. Vyakarnam

Key Skills:

  • Advanced theoretical understanding of immunology at the Masters level
  • The ability to set up and data interpret in the context of the field of research (infection and immunity: human immunology) a number of immune assays with initial supervision of assay set up including: advanced multiparameter flow cytometry; immune transcriptome analysis; immune subset purification and analysis; extensive experience in immune cell culture and stimulation; evidence of an in-depth understanding of T cell immunity to infection including knowledge of T cell subset function; cell sorting and capture for transcriptome analysis; qPCR and ability to set up cell migration and immune co-culture assays
  • Ability to work independently on assay set up and be collegiate within a wider team of immunologists
  • Ability to communicate experimental and demonstrate ability to learn how to interpret immune data
  • Undertake scholarly activity to review and interpret scientific literature and to present primary data using a variety of appropriate software
  • Willingness to undertake scientific administrative duties including ordering consumables and keeping financial and clinical records

 

 

           

To Apply                          : E-mail cover letter, CV, the names & contact details of Referees                                   

                                            To yashashwini@sjri.res.in cc hr@sjri.res.in

For more information please visit our website www.sjri.res.in

Can Contact us on the following Numbers 080-49467010/49467011