icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. As a values-based organization, icddr, b encourages women and people with disabilities to apply.
This position will be hired for the 'icddr,b Centre for Climate-Change and Health (iCCH)' which has been established in the icddr,b Chakaria campus under the auspices of the Wellcome Trust funded project, 'Measuring the Global Impact of Climate Change on Human Health from a Local Sentinel Site'. A fully equipped microbiology lab has been established under the iCCH which will process the biological (stool) and environmental samples collected from the local community covered under the Chakaria HDSS (Health and Demographic Surveillance System). icddr,b in collaboration with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, will focus on understanding the link between climate stressors like salinity and the changes in gut microbiome and their impact on the overall health of the community. This platform will create scope for exciting future research collaboration. The multidisciplinary exploration at iCCH will entail extensive capacity-building engagements for its staff.
The Research Officer will report to the Assistant Scientist and will be responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing all activities related to the research project(s) to ensure high-quality research by following standard operational practice and icddr,b organizational values and guidelines. S/he will be involved in—
Collect and preserve clinical and environmental samples following biosafety and ethical guidelines;
Isolation and identification of enteric pathogens by culturing & molecular methods;
extraction of DNA and performing basic Lab assays related to next-generation sequencing (NGS), e.g., conventional PCR, Real-time PCR, Library preparation for sequencing by MinIon (Nonopore), Illumina MiSeq/NextSeq, Quality control of sequencing library, etc.;
Perform basic QC of the sequencing runs and preliminary analysis of the generated data;
Assist supervisor in method optimization and literature review with an aim to adopt new techniques;
Maintain proper records and liaison with the team of Dhaka Laboratory;
Prepare report from the results and share with the supervisor;
Train new team members and Lab technicians on common Lab assignments (sample receipt, processing and storage following standard practice);
Monitor and track consumption of supplies and resources.
Required qualifications and experience:
Masters with Honors in Microbiology/Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Genetic Engineering with an excellent academic record.
Minimum 3 years of Lab research experience in the relevant field; research experience may be relaxed up to 2 years for candidates with a superior academic record (CGPA at least 3.5 in both Honors and Masters) and with relevant experience;
