A Junior Research Fellow (JRF) position funded by India Alliance-DBT/Wellcome Trust is available in Dr. Imroze Khan’s Evolutionary Immunology research group (https://​myevoe​coim​munol​.com/), in the Department of Biological Sciences at Ashoka University. The lab is primarily interested in tracking the complex dynamics of evolving immune responses against pathogenic infections and disease, using diverse evolutionary ecological methods as well as genomics, and genetical and physiological manipulations. 

The JRF hired for this position will participate in various experiments, combining experimental evolution of tractable insect models (e.g. fruit flies and beetles) with pathogenic infections to identify the genetic basis of rapidly-evolved population divergence in immunity, and associated physiological costs such as DNA damage and immunopathology. The JRF will also have the opportunity to learn and use various genetic methods such as CRISPR/​cas9 gene editing and RNA interference to test the phenotypic effect of candidate genes on the evolved host immune phenotypes and resistance mechanisms. 

Initial appointment will be for 1 year, which is extendable upon satisfactory performance.

Salary and benefits will be in accordance with Department of Biotechnology, Government of India guidelines.

A Masters degree in any basic science discipline, with a strong interest in evolutionary aspects of host-pathogen interactions. 

Qualification in a national entrance examination will be advantageous

Selection: Selection will be conducted in two stages where applications will first go through an initial screening, followed by an online interview by a panel of scientists at Ashoka University. The decision of the interview panel regarding the suitability of the candidate will be final. We will not encourage any further correspondence in this regard.

Appointment Start-date: The JRF should be able to start in January 2021, but exact dates can be negotiated with the PI.

Application: To apply, please send your (1) CV, (2) a brief statement of research interests, with a note justifying how you see yourself fitting within our research group and (3) contact details of at least two referees (email and contact number) to Dr. Imroze Khan at imroze.​khan@​ashoka.​edu.​in.