SCIENTIST

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.

Application format can be downloaded by clicking here.

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

• The Director, RGCB reserves right to not to fill any or all positions advertised.
• The candidates must be citizens of India.
• 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.
• 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.
• Canvassing in any manner would entail disqualification of the candidature.

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