SCIENTIST-GROUP LEADERS WANTED FOR CANCER VACCINE AND BIOMARKER PROGRAM
Over
the past several years Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) has
set high standards in cancer research. To create an environment where
knowledge generated through fundamental research gets translated to
innovative new tools and products, RGCB seeks to create a specialized
ecosystem called Interdisciplinary Innovation Center (IIC). To be
developed in RGCB’s second campus, this will be a unique knowledge
centre and hub for mid & high level innovation and translation. Till
the new laboratories and support facilities are ready, start up
laboratories and support will be provided in the existing buildings. For
cancer research, RGCB has a major interdisciplinary Program of
Excellence in Translational Research (PETR) in collaboration with the
Regional Cancer Centre, which allows RGCB to carry out leading
translational and clinical cancer research.
The
first phase of the RGCB-IIC will include major programs in cancer
vaccines (including immunosurveillance against cancer, defining specific
immune responses against cancer, development of vaccine candidates
& delivery systems) and development of next generation cancer
biomarkers.
There has long been significant
expectation that a successful cancer vaccine will have several benefits
and offer advantages over current routine cancer treatments such as
radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Hypothetically at least vaccines are
likely to produce fewer and less severe side effects as they
speci?cally target cancer cells only.The mandate of the RGCB cancer
vaccine program will be to initiate groundbreaking programs in Cancer
Immunology with a goal to generate new discovery into mechanisms that
are involved in or regulate the anti-tumor immune response. Such data
will be translated this information into viable immunotherapeutic and
vaccines for cancer patients.
In close
association with the cancer vaccine program another key area of RGCB’s
research and development programs is to generate critical mass required
to elucidate the complex task of using large-scale genomic and proteomic
analysis as a basis for rational selection of novel cancer biomarkers.
Advent of next generation sequencing facilities as well as high end
protein analysis options now means the human genome can be sequenced in
weeks rather than years and analysis of protein finger prints using
advanced mass spectrometry is easily achievable. RGCB plans to generate
genomic, epigenetic and protein data from clinically &
pathologically well characterized tumors and their metastases, and will
compare these to the basic germline genome and proteome of the patients.
RGCB further will also establish and characterize a novel series of
xenograft tumor models and cell lines derived from the same set of
tumors, which will support research on tumor biology and the early
stages of biomarker qualification.
RGCB
invites applications from scientists with outstanding track records for
positions of Group Leaders in the Cancer Vaccine and Biomarker Programs
(at levels E1, E2 and F). First round of applications will close on August 31, 2012.
SCIENTIST POSITIONS
Rajiv
Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) invites applications for
Scientist positions in Disease Biology (inclusive of, but not limited to
Cancer Biology, Cardiovascular Biology, Diabetes, Infectious Disease
Biology, Virology, Immunology of Disease, Stem Cell Biology,
Neurobiology, etc.) and Plant Biotechnology.
Applicants
who had submitted applications in response to the previous
advertisement and who may still be interested can submit their updated
applications in the prescribed format that can be downloaded from this
website.
Positions open include vacancies at
the C, E1, E2 and F levels. Appointments at the C and E1 levels at the
discretion of the selection committee may be also made through G.N.
Ramachandran Fellowships whose details are explained below. Minimum
expected qualifications are also explained below.
Applications
will be received throughout the year. Every three months, the duly
appointed Screening Committee will examine applications and shortlist
those to be forwarded to the Selection Committee. The next round of
screening of applications will be in June 2012. Applications received
till April 30, 2012 will be considered by the Screening Committee.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR SCIENTIST POSITIONS
| POSITION | MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION | MINIMUM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND PUBLICATION RECORD* |
| Scientist C | MD or PhD | Three
to Five Years Post Doctoral experience plus peer reviewed publications
with high impact factors (including at least three with IF 5 or more) as
First or Corresponding Author. |
| Scientist E-1 | MD or PhD | Six
to Nine Years Post Doctoral experience plus peer reviewed publications
with high impact factors as First and Corresponding Author. |
| Scientist E-II | MD or PhD | Ten
to Twelve Years Post Doctoral experience plus peer reviewed
publications with high impact factors as First and Corresponding Author. |
| Scientist F | MD or PhD | Ten
to Fifteen Years Post Doctoral experience plus peer reviewed
publications with high impact factors as First and Corresponding Author. |
*The
Screening and Selection Committees will make decisions on the track
records of applicants including publications. Applications with 6 years
or more will be expected to have publications with impact factor 5 or
more as Corresponding Author.
PAY DETAILS FOR SCIENTIST POSITIONS (Amount in Rupees)
| POSITION | SALARY SCALE & BASIC PAY | GRADE PAY | OTHER ALLOWANCES PER MONTH | TOTAL PAY MONTHLY ON ENTRY | YEARLY INCREASE IN MONTHLY SALARY |
| Scientist C | Pay Band 3 – 18750 | 6600 | 20415 | 45765 | 4000 |
| Scientist E-1 | Pay Band 3 – 21900 | 7600 | 23361 | 52861 | 4600 |
| Scientist E II | Pay Band 4 – 37400 | 8700 | 35147 | 81247 | 7500 |
| Scientist F | Pay Band 4 – 43000 | 10000 | 48955 | 101955 | 8300 |
Pay Band 3 - Rs. 15600-39100
Pay Band 4 - Rs. 37400-67000
Other
Allowances include, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and
Transport Allowance Yearly Increase in salary is calculated as Basic Pay
increase by 3% and corresponding increase in Dearness Allowance as
orders issued by the Govt. of India
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR G.N. RAMACHANDRAN FELLOWSHIPS.
RGCB
will accept outstanding candidates for G.N Ramachandran Fellowships.
The fellowship will be for five years and are primarily intended for
persons looking for extended sabbatical like positions, official
deputations or wanting to take a higher total pay in lieu of permanency.
These positions will enjoy all academic privileges enjoyed by regular
RGCB faculty including right to apply for research grants and PhD
students. Persons joining as Ramachandran Fellows can after the fourth
year be considered for permanent positions at the next higher grade of
scientist positions based on mutual consent of the Fellow and the
Institute after appropriate performance evaluation of the person.
Alternately they can also continue as G.N Ramachandran Fellows after
these processes. However the institute reserves the unconditional right
to close the fellowship if the performance evaluation at the fourth year
is below the grade "VERY GOOD". Persons selected will have to execute a
bond to this effect.
There will be two
categories of G.N Ramachandran Fellowships, Category 1 and 2. The
minimum academic qualifications and research experience will be
identical as for Scientist C and E1 respectively.
The fellowship amount for G.N Ramachandran Fellowship Category 1 is Rs 60,000 per month plus other admissible allowances
For Category 2, the fellowship amount is Rs 75,000 per month plus other admissible allowances.
The
Selection Committee will also have the discretion to offer GN
Ramachandran Fellowship positions to applicants for regular scientist
positions.
SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR SCIENTISTS Level 1 Screening
An Institutional Screening Committee (ISC) will be determine whether
the applicant meets minimum prescribed qualifications for a scientist
position at RGCB (C, E-I, E-II, F or G.N Ramachandran Fellow).
Ineligible applicants without these needed minimum qualifications will
be rejected and no further correspondence will be sent to them.
Applications shortlisted after the Level I screening by the ISC will be
sent for Level 2 screening. Level 2 Screening A Faculty
Screening Committee (FSC) will analyze the applications forwarded to it
by the ISC after Level 1 screening. Level 2 screening includes detailed
review of the applicant's credentials, publications, achievements, etc.
Applicants may also be invited to give a seminar at RGCB. The FSC will
decide in which grade the applicant can be considered and forward such
recommendations to the Scientist Selection Committee (SSC). The Chairman
of the Faculty Screening Committee will be a member of the SSC. Final Selection Procedures
The SSC will or its individual members will speak to applicants
personally, go over their plans and ideas with them and understand their
long-term career goals. They will also assess the applicant's value to
the development of RGCB and its R&D programs. The selection
committee will also hold direct discussions with the shortlisted
applicants either in person or through video conferencing. The SSC will
take the final decision on whether to advice the institute to make an
offer to the applicant and if so which grade of scientist is to be
offered. The institute will then make a final administrative decision on
this. General Conditions/ Instructions
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The Director, RGCB reserves right to not to fill any or all positions advertised.
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The candidates must be citizens of India.
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Merely
fulfilling the requirements in the advertisement will not automatically
entitle any candidate to be considered for the position. The
applications received will be scrutinized and candidates who in the
opinion of hte institute are likely to be suitable will be shortlisted
for further selection procedures. The Screening and Selection Committees
will make appropriate decision on total and individual impact factors
in relation to the overall application, research areas and needs of the
institute. The decision of the institute in all these matters will be
final. No interim enquiries/ correspondence/communication of any sort
will be entertained in the matter.
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Persons
working under the Central/State Government/Public Sector Undertakings/
Central Autonomous Bodies shall submit their applications through proper
channel. They may, however, send an advance copy of the application
along with enclosures as required. Those who are unable to forward their
application through proper channel may submit NOC from their employer
at the time of selection interview, if shortlisted. Without this NOC, the applicant will not be allowed to attend the selection procedures.
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Canvassing in any manner would entail disqualification of the candidature.
