Research Fellow

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. icddr,b, as a values-based organization, encourages women and people with disabilities.

The Virology Laboratory conducts research, and provides support to projects and training. It is working on both human and animal viruses, including but not limited to SARS-CoV-2, rotavirus, norovirus, influenza, dengue and other respiratory viruses, Nipah virus, HIV, HBV and HCV. In addition to detecting pathogens, the laboratory also investigates immunological aspects of viral infections. The laboratory also researches non-viral microorganisms of clinical interest including bacterial infection (causing child death, acute febrile illness, pneumonia, sexually transmitted infections), fungal infection, and sexually transmitted infection. The laboratory scientists conduct research and activities as principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and co-investigators in collaboration with national and international institutes/universities and with different Divisions of icddr,b.

The Research Fellow reporting to the Assistant Scientist will perform laboratory research, prepare research concepts and protocols; plan, organize, and implement research activities; and also write manuscripts to conduct high-quality lab research as well as self-development within the guidelines of the research protocols; and organizational values and guidelines. She/he will be involved in:

Responsibilities:

• Prepare weekly work plan for the laboratory works of the project;
• Support team to facilitate lab activities;
• Carry out microbial culture following good microbiological practice, identification and characterization of microorganisms, PCR, real-time RT-PCR/tissue culture-based viral detection and typing; microRNA analysis from infected patients, pseudo-virus-based neutralization assay, and detection of sexually transmitted infection.
• Antibiotic susceptibility test, study bacterial strains isolated from the hospital environment against synthetic disinfectants
• Bioinformatics analysis of bacterial /viral (including bacteriophages) whole genome sequence, metagenomics and microbiome data.
• Maintain safety procedures in the laboratory with appropriate knowledge of handling infectious biological agents;
• Handle and dispose of bio-hazardous laboratory reagents and chemicals to maintain good laboratory practice and a safe working environment.
• Train junior staff and get refresher training on bio-safety.
• Resolve lab test issues, and raise escalations to the supervisor, if required;
• Monitor and track consumption of resources;
• Analyze the database and prepare a preliminary analysis to look for new information for publication and to identify new research ideas;
• Learn the goals, priorities, and objectives of the research group;
• Set goals, objectives, and milestones for the duration of the fellowship period;
• Develop Protocol and present to RRC and ERC for approval;
• Collaborate and coordinate with project partners, collaborators, and stakeholders;
• Receive training and orientation on advanced statistical analysis using SPSS programming, bioinformatics, etc.;
• Check Data, prepare files, clean data set, develop analysis plan, and prepare manuscripts;
• Present research findings both in the internal and external meeting seminar and workshop;
• Review scientific articles and explore different research ideas and innovations.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Masters with B.Sc. Honors in Microbiology/Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Genetic Engineering with an excellent academic record with completion of thesis in relevant field; (CGPA of at least 3.5 on a 4-point scale for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees);
• 1 year of relevant lab experience.

Source: https://career.icddrb.org/vacancy-preview/32042