BIOTEC is seeking 3 positions for post-doctoral researcher in areas of molecular biology, medical technique, biosensor, fungal biology and physiology, genetics and molecular biology, host-microbe interaction, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, or natural product chemistry as the following details:
Position 1: Development of rapid and sensitive detection of multidrug resistant TB using Isothermal amplification combine with biosensors.
Job description: The candidate will be responsible for developing a new platform of biosensors to detect multidrug-resistant TB. This work will include development of molecular tests, such as isothermal amplifications, probe based assays, optical and electrochemical biosensors.
Eligibility/Specific Qualifications: The candidate should have experiences in medical diagnostic test development and a strong background in molecular biology.
Position 2: Characterization of polyketide synthase (PKS) genes in the fungus Beauveria bassiana.
Job description: 1) Overexpression of these PKS genes in Beauveria bassiana. 2) Comparative study between wild type and the null- and overexpressing mutant strains in fungal physiology, biochemistry, pathogenicity to insect hosts. 3) Cell wall analysis of the mutants compared to wild type by staining and component extraction. 4) Mass spectrometry analysis of fungal cells and cell walls and 5) Preparation of manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Eligibility/Specific Qualifications: Extensive molecular techniques particularly with fungi (RT-PCR, real-time PCR, fungal transformation, etc.) are required. Knowledge and skills in fungal histology, fungal pathogenicity test to insects, chemical analysis (HPLC, LC-MS, structural elucidation techniques), or green fluorescence protein (GFP) analysis are also needed. Experience in working on the interaction between a pathogen and a host is an asset and in light, fluorescence/confocal, and electron microscopy.
Position 3: A platform for transcript isoform discovery using combined second and third generation RNA sequencing.
Job description: The candidate is required to construct DNA sequencing libraries compatible with the Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time (SMRT) third-generation long-read sequencing platform. The libraries will be made from RNA extracted from Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. The candidate will be required to culture parasites in vitro, isolate nuclear, cytoplasmic and polysomal sub-cellular fractions and purify RNA from these fractions. The purified RNA is then converted to cDNA. Full-length cDNA will be enriched using a recombinant protein with mRNA cap binding activity. The full-length enriched cDNA is then converted to DNA sequencing libraries. The candidate will be required to optimize protocols for sub-cellular fraction, enrichment of full-length cDNA and construction of sequencing libraries. The optimization of protocols may involve techniques such as ultracentrifugation, recombinant protein purification, reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting and fluorescence microscopy.
Eligibility/Specific Qualifications: The candidate should have molecular biology skills.
All positions are opened to Thai and international applicants. To apply, please submit the application form, transcript of doctorate, abstract of dissertation, statement of intent and three recommendation letters (should be sent directly to BIOTEC by the person providing the reference) to:
Postdoctoral Scholarship Program
BIOTEC Research Support Division
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)
113 Thailand Science Park
Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng
Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120
THAILAND
E-mail: rsd@biotec.or.th
Tel: +66 (0) 2 5646700 ext 3154
Fax: +66 (0) 2564 6707