We are currently recruiting a Research Fellow to work in the field of translational respiratory research investigating infectious and immune consequences in chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis under the supervision of associate professor Sanjay H. Chotirmall. The Research Fellow will be responsible for conducting cutting-edge research using experimental tools such as the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflow, protein work and microbiological techniques. The individual should be well-versed in molecular biology techniques and willing to work with high-dimensional biological data, including NGS. They should be capable of generating high-impact publications, be self-driven, organized, and able to design experiments and analytical pipelines independently while possessing strong teamwork, interpersonal, and communication skills. The Research Fellow will also manage lab administration tasks, ensuring the smooth operation of the laboratory environment. Prior experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students is preferable.
Key Responsibilities:
Research and Experimentation
- Design, plan, and execute experiments involving NGS, including sample preparation, sequencing runs, and data analysis.
- Apply bioinformatics tools and software for the analysis and interpretation of NGS data, including variant calling, sequence alignment, and functional annotation.
- Perform protein work including purification, characterization, and functional assays.
- Conduct microbiology research involving the isolation, culturing, and genetic manipulation of microbial strains.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Analyze and interpret complex datasets using bioinformatics pipelines, statistical tools, and data visualization techniques.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and scientific manuscripts based on research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Lab Administration
- Oversee daily laboratory operations, including inventory management, procurement of reagents and consumables, and maintenance of equipment.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and ethical standards within the lab environment.
- Train and supervise junior staff, students, and interns in laboratory techniques and safety protocols.
Collaboration and Communication
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, clinicians, and external partners, to advance research projects.
- Present research findings at national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops.
- Write grant proposals and contribute to securing funding for ongoing and future research projects.
Key Competencies and Requirements:
- Candidates should have Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 3-5 years of experience.
- Technically skilled in NGS workflow and related bioinformatics, expertise in protein purification, characterization, and functional assays. Background in microbiology is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to design and conduct independent research.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, and reports.
- Ability to lead and train junior staff, students, and collaborators in laboratory techniques and procedures.
- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
