Careers

No. RGCB/ADVT/SCI/02/2022 December 30, 2022

ADVERTISEMENT FOR FACULTY SCIENTIST POSITIONS

The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) is an autonomous National Institute of the Government of India, Ministry for Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology. The mandate of the institute is discovery, innovation and translation in biotechnology and disease biology. Over the last few years RGCB has witnessed remarkable achievements in cancer biology and infectious disease biology. RGCB is now poised to enter the next phase of translational and interdisciplinary research in identified high priority areas of cancer Biology such as vaccine development, development of new and affordable diagnostics assays, generation of bio-therapeutics, biosimilars of high commercial value, cancer drug discovery, immunotherapeutics, drug- antibody conjugates, experimental and clinical cancer research. As we look forward to the next decade, RGCB invites applications from early as well as mid-career scientists (Indian citizens) with potential for intellectual leadership and passion for innovative research to set up independent multidisciplinary research programs relating to the following areas (but not completely restricted to):

1. Basic and experimental cancer research: Focussing on Cancer Genomics, elucidating the molecular, biochemical, Cellular and structural basis of common cancers of India.
2. Discovery of novel therapeutic targets, targeted drug discovery strategies and delivery approaches using cellular, molecular, preclinical models/model organisms, computational and image based approaches.
3. Host immune microenvironment, epigenomic signatures of cancers, cancer immunology and biomarker discovery
4. Bioengineering approaches for cell therapy, cancer vaccines, vaccine testing approaches and immuno- therapeutics development
5. Development of novel molecular diagnostics and nano-biotechnology for sustaining and improving the country's cancer care system.
6. Cell engineering solutions which will directly benefit the patients by providing affordable solutions for disease treatment and management
7. Development of innovative devices / Biosensors /methods/ future diagnostic pathology for early detection and diagnosis with a special focus on Preventive healthcare.
8. Development of innovative Bio-therapeutics, immunotherapeutics and drug- antibody conjugates

Applicants must have a demonstrated excellent record of scientific productivity in the form of outstanding publications in peer reviewed scientific journals in areas listed above or related to cancer biology. Scientists with outstanding track records in innovation and product development must have a track record of internationally valid and productive patents and demonstrated interaction with commercial or industry partners. Applicants should have a commitment to excellence and willingness to collaborate in inter-disciplinary projects. Quality of scientific productivity, capability of independent thinking, track record of translational, clinical or applied research as well as extra mural funding will also be major factors in deciding the selection.

The Faculty will be provided shared laboratory space and adequate start-up resources. They are expected to generate significant extramural project-based funding.

Salary and other benefits will be as per Government of India & RGCB Institute rules and include dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport allowance, leave travel concession and national pension scheme (defined contribution-based pension scheme of Government of India). Besides this, reimbursement of children education allowance and medical expenses as per rules of the Institute is also admissible. Terms and conditions not specified herein shall be as per relevant Government of India or RGCB rules.

The salary structure currently followed at RGCB is shown below:

SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR SCIENTISTS

Level 1 Screening

An Institutional Screening Committee (ISC) will be determining whether the applicant meets minimum prescribed qualifications for the advertised scientist position at RGCB. 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. The FSC will decide whether 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 speak to shortlisted applicants personally (either in person or through video conferencing), 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 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

1. The number of positions mentioned against each category is provisional and may vary at the time of final selection procedures; if more numbers of positions with identical job requirements is needed to be filled at appropriate time, such positions may also be filled by the Director, RGCB from among the list of shortlisted candidates on account of this Advertisement. However, the Director, RGCB may or may not do so, at own discretion.
2. The Director, RGCB reserves right not to fill any or all the posts advertised.
3. The prescribed age limit, educational qualifications, experience, etc. shall be reckoned as on the last date of receipt of applications
4. Relaxations and concessions will be in accordance with the RGCB Rules and Regulations. Relaxation in age, educational qualifications and/ or experience will be considered in case of outstanding candidates and/ or persons already holding analogous positions in Government Scientific Organizations/ Research Institutions.
5. The candidates must be citizens of India.
6. The candidates seeking reservation under OBC Category must submit a valid OBC non creamy layer certificate. The candidates seeking reservation under SC Category must submit Community Certificate along with the application form. The Income and Asset Certificate issued by the authorities in the prescribed format shall only be accepted as proof of candidate's claim as belonging to EWS for candidates applying against the position reserved for EWS Category. Without these documents the applications cannot be considered against these reserved positions.
7. Candidates desirous of filling application for more than one position are required to submit separate applications for each position. Application form must be downloaded from the institute website only. No other forms of applications will be accepted. Applications without these application forms (neatly filled in) and without certified copies of needed credentials will be summarily rejected by the ISC; and no further correspondence, whatsoever, will be entertained. There is no application fee.
8. Merely fulfilling the requirements in the advertisement will not automatically entitle any candidate to be called for interview. The applications received will be scrutinized and candidates who in the opinion of the institute are likely to be suitable will be shortlisted for calling for interview. 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.
9. The Screening and Selection Committees will make appropriate decisions on quality and impact of the publications and patents 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.
10. Persons working under the Central /State Government/Public Sector Undertakings/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 interview.
11. Canvassing in any manner would entail automatic disqualification of the candidature.
12. Incomplete applications or applications without copies of certificates or applications received after the last date will summarily be rejected without assigning any further reasons.
13. Selected candidates will be subject to posting in any office/branch of the Institute, anywhere in India, as per RGCB's administrative requirements.
14. Applications in prescribed format with resume/curriculum vitae and attested copies of all necessary certificates, experience certificates and other supporting documents may be submitted by post to THE DIRECTOR, RAJIV GANDHI CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY, POOJAPPURA, THYCAUD P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695014, KERALA on or before January 25, 2023. Applications sent by post, must contain on the envelope, the name of the position applied for. Alternatively, applications can be sent by e-mail enclosing a SINGLE PDF FILE, including all needed documents as above, to facultyrecruitment@rgcb.res.in on or before January 25, 2023.
15. The Institute reserves the right to withdraw any/all the advertised post(s) at any time without assigning any reason.

Sd/-
Director