Junior Research Fellow

ICRISAT seeks applications for highly motivated and qualified professionals for the National position of Junior Research Fellow to support Cell & Molecular Biology & Trait Engineering Under Accelerated Crop Improvement. The Position will be based at the Headquarters, Patancheru, India.

ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 millions of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems.

ICRISAT is headquartered at Patancheru near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and eight country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT envisions prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics. Its mission is to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics. ICRISAT conducts research on its mandated crops of chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet in the arid and semi-arid tropics. The Institute focuses its work on drylands and on protecting the environment. Tropical dryland areas are usually seen as resource-poor and perennially beset by shocks such as drought, thereby trapping dryland communities in poverty and hunger and making them dependent on external aid. Please visit – www.icrisat.org

Responsibilities:

• To perform scientific research on pigeonpea and groundnut tissue culture, transformation, gene editing, molecular characterization of the transformed plants, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Perform cloning, gene expression analysis, growth, and maintenance of transformed plants in the greenhouse.
• To help and support the various research activities in the greenhouse and field experiments related to gene editing.
• To assist the scientist in preparing the reports and manuscripts
• Collaborate with research staff and technicians within and from other clusters/disciplines per the project requirement
• Execute experiments related to pigeonpea and groundnut transformation and gene editing in adherence to the defined schedules and timeline and in compliance with the institute policies.
• Reporting and maintaining accurate and high-quality data files required to prepare project reports.

 Qualifications:

• Postgraduate degree in any relevant field of Biology/Biotechnology. Candidates with a GATE/NET score will be preferred and come with an added advantage.
• Experience in plant tissue culture and molecular biology with working experience in CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing are desirable.
• Bioinformatics will be added advantage.

Technical Competencies/Skills:

• Technical competency to perform basic molecular biology techniques, plant tissue culture, and transformation of the designated crop.
• Should be a good team player and adaptable to working in a multicultural team with ability to coordinate across programs
• Ability to deal tactfully under pressure situations, deliver under tight schedules, and maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Proficiency in English communication skills (both written and spoken)
• Proficiency in basic Computer skills

In addition to the above, the following need to be taken care of  –

• Support the scientist in writing technical reports.

• Be responsible for completing the assigned activities.
• PCR, genomic DNA isolation, RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, qPCR, cloning and plant transformation.

• To coordinate with other staff members to assist in the general upkeep of the lab/ lab equipment if needed

General:

This is a contractual position for a period of 36 months.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply on or before 15 December 2024 with their latest Resume, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about their professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements