St. John's Research Institute

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% instead of 60% non-responders, lower costs, and better accessibility.

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.

 Project Associate II 

Position Starting: 15th November, 2023

No. of Vacancy: One

Employment status: Contract

Salary: Rs. 28000+24%HRA

Language: English 

Experience: 2 Years experience in R&D in industrial and academic institutions or science and Technology organisations and scientific activities and services

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in Natural Sciences or Bachelor’s Sciences in Engineering or Technology or Medicine from recognised University

Location: Bangalore

Last Day for Receiving Application: 06th November 2023

Roles & 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.
• 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 meeting
• 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.

Interested candidates may send their Resume to:

The Principal Investigator

DBT INDIGO Project

SJMC

To Apply: E-mail cover letter and curriculum vitae with 3 references (names and email addresses / phone numbers) by on or before 06th November, 2023 yashashwini@sjri.res.in  & cc to hr@sjri.res.in

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

Can Contact us on the following Numbers 080-49467010/49467011/49467021