Consultant / Scientist: Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology
P. Namperumalsamy Regional Research Center (PNRRC), Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore
Qualification MD (Microbiology) or PhD (Microbiology or a closely related discipline)
Experience Hands-on experience in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory is essential
Appointment Full-time.
Designation (Consultant or Scientist) will depend on qualification and experience
Salary Commensurate with qualification and experience
The role Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore, is looking for a microbiologist to lead its Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology program at PNRRC. The position carries full responsibility for the diagnostic microbiology laboratory and for the molecular diagnostics research programme.
Diagnostic service
Run the diagnostic microbiology laboratory serving a high-volume tertiary eye hospital: microbial keratitis, endophthalmitis and ocular surface infections Maintain quality standards, standard operating procedures and turnaround times, and lead the laboratory towards accreditation Work closely with the cornea, retina and other clinical teams on result interpretation and difficult cases
Molecular diagnostics
Lead the molecular diagnostics program, which currently includes CRISPR/Cas12a-based rapid pan-fungal detection, PCR-based pathogen identification and metagenomic sequencing on an in-house Nanopore platform Take assays from development through optimization, analytical validation and clinical validation, and into routine use where warranted Contribute to the design and conduct of the ICMR-funded multicentre program on molecular diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis, and related work on infectious keratitis
Research and training
Design, conduct and publish studies drawing on the hospital's large clinical specimen base Contribute to grant applications and external collaborations Supervise technical staff and postgraduate trainees
Essential MD (Microbiology) or PhD (Microbiology or a closely related discipline)
Experience running, or working at a senior level in, a routine diagnostic microbiology laboratory
Working knowledge of laboratory quality systems
Ability to function as part of a clinical service and communicate with clinicians
Demonstrated interest in research (publications, projects or grants)
Desirable
Molecular diagnostic assay development and validation
Fungal or ocular microbiology PCR, sequencing (including Nanopore metagenomics) or CRISPR-based diagnostics Laboratory accreditation (NABL or equivalent)
Supervision of technical staff or postgraduate trainees
What Aravind offers
A high-volume tertiary eye hospital: the laboratory receives approximately 1000 ocular specimens a year An established molecular laboratory with real-time PCR, Nanopore sequencer, etc. and a team of 6 technical staff An ICMR-funded multicentre program in molecular diagnostics for endophthalmitis, with assay validation and metagenomic sequencing under way Daily working contact between clinicians and researchers, and a research group with a record of publication in ocular infection and molecular diagnostics Support for research proposals, conference presentation and postgraduate supervision How to apply Send the following to jaishreeprithiviraja@aravind.org with the subject line "Application: Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology": Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications A one-page statement of research interests and relevant diagnostic laboratory experience Names and contact details of two referees
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