Senior Scientific Officer

The University invites applications from highly motivated bright candidates with molecular biology background and skills in laboratory management for working on the position of a Senior Scientific Officer at the Center of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Life Sciences.

Purpose of the role

Running state-of-the-art facilities including single cell biology and next generation sequencing (NGS), data analysis and report generation.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing workflow for other researchers in the unit.
• Training new incoming students and researchers on NGS workflows.
• Performing data analysis and writing reports.
• Management of data and record archives.
• Testing new techniques to keep an efficient, cost saving and productive lab.
• Constant communication with stakeholders to ensure efficient workflow.
• Lookout for new equipment, technologies, chemicals for new innovations.
• Ability to run the NGS platforms for the department and collaborations, optimization of workflows for single cell biology and spatial transcriptomics.

• Ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies.

Qualifications

PhD/MSc in Life Sciences or allied subjects with minimum 10 years post-degree work experience. Candidates with lesser experience but with all necessary skills, if selected, will be hired at Technical Officer grade with possibility for promotion to the Senior level after attaining the required experience.

Training will be provided for new technology platforms as necessary.

Salary will be competitive and proportional to the skills and experience of the incumbent.

Skills & Competencies

• Laboratory management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint
• Proficiency in statistical packages (minimum Excel, R would be preferred)
• Proficiency in scientific writing
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work and communicate across a variety of demographics
• Ability to exercise good judgment and work with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to multitask and prioritise tasks and execute them timely

Other skills (candidates with proven expertise in at least two of these areas, especially NGS workflows will be preferred)

Molecular biology
Isolation of plasmid and genomic DNA, RNA isolation, molecular cloning, electrophoresis, PCR, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR

NGS platforms
Minimum knowledge of NGS technologies and library QC, Expertise in NGS library preparation is preferred.

Protein chemistry
Biochemical analysis, protein expression and purification, Chromatography, SDS page, Western blotting

Cell biology
Maintenance of primary cells and cell lines, epi-fluorescence and confocal microscopy