Post: Project Scientist I
Qualification: PhD with 3-5 years postdoctoral experience in immunology with First author publications in the field of infection and immunity
Language: English, Kannada, and Tamil
Location : Bangalore, Karnataka
Application due date : 25th October, 2021
Salary : Rs. 56,000+24 % HRA
Brief Description about the Project:
In search for fast and safe vaccinations against COVID-19 a vaccine with non-specific protective effects from respiratory virus infections, namely BCG, is being investigated. BCG was developed as a vaccine against TB, but also protects against heterologous infectious diseases, including viral pathogens, attributed to epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune cells, leading to increased antimicrobial activity, a process termed ‘trained immunity” (TI). • Our primary goal is to undertake an experimental medicine study, designed in terms of N to test the hypothesis that BCG vaccination can induce TI to SARS-CoV-2, in a country with high (India) TB incidence. Using samples archived from an ongoing BCG vaccination study in India initiated in October 2019, we will probe blood immune cell subsets from vaccinees and unvaccinated controls using our published assays to monitor TI, including: cytokine secretion and flow cytometry for cellular changes; ChIP analysis for epigenetic changes and single cell analysis for wider unbiased transcriptome change • Our secondary goal is to integrate BCG induced trained immunity data with SARS-CoV-2 infection status determined by specific PCR and optimised anti-COVID-19 antibody assays in vaccinees and unvaccinated controls. In summary, our in depth immune analysis will provide critical mechanistic data on the validity of BCG vaccination in the fight against COVID-19 in a timely manner with global health significance. This is absolutely vital as BCG works by activating innate and adaptive immune cells and it is crucial to understand relevance given that COVID-19 induces a hyper-inflammatory state. Thus, our study will additionally provide mechanistic context to the outcome of three major BCG vaccine trials that have been initiated in TB non-endemic regions (clinicaltrials.gov).
Key Skills:
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, 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 innate and adaptive immunity to infection including knowledge of immune 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 and be collegiate within a wider team of immunologists. Evidence of demonstrable scientific leadership skills with first author publications in field of research with impact and keenness to progress towards an independent researcher status. Ability to communicate and interpret scientific literature and primary data using a variety of appropriate software Evidence of having undertaken scientific administrative duties including ordering consumables, awareness of financial records and supervising junior staff |
Core Responsibilities:
- To conduct primary research as per the BIRAC award, including research towards stated goals and exploratory research within the confines of the BIRAC award in consultation with the PI
- To manage junior staff appointed to the project in conjunction with the PI.
- 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 plan, set up and execute immune assays with support staff in conjunction with discussions with PI
- To train support staff in immune assays
- To undertake forward thinking research plans through literature analysis and to set up immune assays to test fresh hypothesis.
- 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 an oversight of the overall science
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
0 Comments