Post: Junior Research Fellow (1 Position)

Duration: Three years

Qualification: First class in M.Sc/M.tech in Bioinformatics/Life Sciences/Biophysics/ Biostatistics/Bioengineering. Experience in Database development, NGS data analysis, Systems Biology and Structural Bioinformatics is desired. Preference will be given to the candidates with good computer programming skills in C, C++, R, Perl, PHP, Unix Scripting etc.

Selected candidates will be paid fellowship as per existing DST norms.

How to apply:

Candidates are requested to apply through one of the two modes given below
1. Online application – Click here to submit the online application https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16h2GLnQ-Ny-tLtlgfY3Bx3sCjeHJE30cfhJaDqW_uRs/viewform?c=0&w=1
2. Application forms can be downloaded from here.https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwwJEudQStxFWXdNWXl4NWtDaWc/edit
Filled in application form should be sent by post to Dr. D. Bharanidharan, Department of Bioinformatics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation No 1, Anna Nagar Madurai – 625 020,

Candidates should apply by online or submit their applications by post on or before 15th June, 2015. Only Short listed candidates will be called for an interview. No TA/DA will be paid.

Key Components

1. Sample Collection: Meta-transcriptomics begins with the collection of environmental samples. These samples are often complex, containing a wide range of microorganisms.

2. RNA Extraction: RNA is extracted from the sample, which includes mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, and other non-coding RNAs. This step is crucial as it determines the quality and representativeness of the data.

3. Sequencing: High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies are used to obtain sequences of the RNA transcripts. This step provides a vast amount of data on the RNA molecules present in the sample.

4. Data Analysis: Computational tools and bioinformatics methods are employed to process and analyze the sequencing data. This involves mapping RNA sequences to reference genomes or transcriptomes, identifying expressed genes, and quantifying their abundance.

5. Functional Annotation: The functional roles of identified transcripts are inferred based on known gene functions, allowing researchers to understand the metabolic and ecological functions of the microbial community.

Applications

1. Environmental Monitoring: Meta-transcriptomics can be used to monitor the health and functional status of ecosystems. For example, it can help assess the impact of pollution on microbial communities by revealing changes in gene expression related to stress response and degradation processes.

2. Microbiome Research: In human health, meta-transcriptomics offers insights into the gut microbiome’s functional state. It helps in understanding how microbial communities interact with their host, how they respond to dietary changes, and their role in health and disease.

3. Biotechnology: The technique can aid in the discovery of novel enzymes and bioactive compounds by profiling microbial communities in extreme environments or industrial processes.

4. Disease Pathogenesis: By analyzing RNA profiles from disease-associated environments, researchers can uncover pathogen-host interactions and identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Challenges

1. Complexity of Data: The sheer volume and complexity of data generated by meta-transcriptomics can be overwhelming. Effective data management and advanced computational tools are required to extract meaningful insights.

2. Sampling Bias: Environmental samples can be heterogeneous, and RNA extraction methods may introduce biases, potentially affecting the accuracy of the results.

3. Reference Databases: Incomplete or biased reference databases can hinder the accurate functional annotation of transcripts, especially when studying novel or poorly characterized organisms.

Future Directions

Meta-transcriptomics is a rapidly evolving field, with ongoing advancements in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics. Future research may focus on improving data integration, developing more comprehensive reference databases, and enhancing our understanding of microbial community dynamics in various environments. As these challenges are addressed, meta-transcriptomics will continue to provide valuable insights into the functional roles of microorganisms and their interactions within ecosystems.

Conclusion

Meta-transcriptomics represents a powerful tool for exploring the functional aspects of microbial communities in their natural environments. By capturing a snapshot of gene expression and metabolic activities, this approach offers a deeper understanding of ecological interactions, health implications, and biotechnological potentials. As technology and methodologies advance, meta-transcriptomics is poised to make significant contributions to our knowledge of the microbial world.

#Find all occurrences of a pattern in a string.
#Given: Strings Pattern and Genome.
#Return: All starting positions in Genome where Pattern appears as a substring. Use 0-based indexing.

use strict;
use warnings;

my $string="GATATATGCATATACTT";
my $subStr="ATAT";
my $kmer=length($subStr);

kmerMatch ($string, $subStr, $kmer);

sub kmerMatch { #Check the exact matching kmers with sliding window
my ($string, $myStr, $kmer)=@_;
for (my $aa=0; $aa<=(length($string)-$kmer); $aa++) {
    my $myWin=substr  $string, $aa,$kmer;
    if ($myWin eq $myStr) {
        #print "$myWin eq $myStr\n";
        print $aa;
    }
}
}

Address of the bookmark: https://www.bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/vignettes/maftools/inst/doc/maftools.html

• Expansion of Protists and Fungi with hundreds of annotated genomes
• Variation data for bread wheat, rice, Aedes aegypti, and Ixodes scapularis
• Whole genome alignments for O. longistaminata and T. cacao
• Non-coding RNA gene models in Bacteria
• New assembly of tomato (version 2.50)
• Full support for UCSC Track Hub format for hosting your own data in Ensembl

More at http://www.ensembl.info/blog/2015/06/16/ensembl-genomes-release-27-is-out/

Address of the bookmark: https://sites.google.com/g.hmc.edu/empress/home

Minimum qualification: MSc in any branch of life sciences

Applications are invited for the position of a Research Assistant in the Centre for Human Genetics, Bangalore.

The project involves identification of mutations in MPS (mucopolysaccharidosis) patients, and study of their predicted effects to understand how the mutations lead to disease.

Techniques used will be genomic DNA isolation, PCR, DNA sequencing and sequence analysis. Computational tools would also be used to analyse and interpret data.

Candidates may be assigned work in the ongoing project or in new ones.

The candidate who is selected and joins would acquire hands-on experience in research and the capability to conduct insightful research.

Candidates applying for the position should have an MSc in any branch of life sciences. Those with research experience in cell and molecular biology, and high NET/ GATE score would be preferred.

The successful applicant is expected to stay for at least one and a half years.

Please apply with CV to Sudha Srinivasan (sudha@ibab.ac.in), stating where you saw this ad.

While your PhD or PostDoc application, it is more common that you got rejected by many professors. Don't disappoint reply it calmly.

In grad school, I shared a house with three Bioinformatics PhD students. One, when he applied to a particular professor, received a letter that said, essentially, "If you are applying because you want to enrich yourself, great. If you are applying because you want a job, you should know that you won't get one." I am trying to tell you this is because if you, with a good background in Bioinformatics, are passing up opportunities, you must be a strong candidate in many areas. Enrich yourself.

So, my suggestion is take a deep breath, forgot about all. Don’t take it personally. It's been usual processes while hunting for a good lab and professor. Take is positive, I am not sure why they reject, but don't worry perhaps the lab don't deserve you. Always remember there are billions of reasons not to hire someone for projects, especially in a research sector.

My suggestion, please do not whine about how you were a great research candidate for the post, and you just can't understand why they were so stupid as to have rejected you! This feeling will not win you any points in research, community. Especially, when in todays socially connected era everyone is linked. Remember, a nice E-mail saying, "I really wished to working with you on this project and I hope we cross paths again," is all you need to send to the professor. Send a thank you note to the professor. Thank them for the time they spend to judge you. In the future, If you and the professor (of your dream) are attending a bioinformatics conference, invite him/her to lunch (please remember to pay the bill). In today evolving scientific ere, always remember to build your solid network in order to get a job of interest. Join all possible networking sites like LinkedIn, ResearchGate, Acamedia, FB for the same reason. You as a researcher always build a bridge with student/researcher/colleague/professor who have the research potential to lead in research and hire you. Just because you didn't get this project, doesn't mean there isn't another that will open up in couple of month.

Mostly, jobs that are hard to get are hard to get. Only you can decide if the continued sacrifices are worth the expected payout. If it is, keep on plowing. Build relationships. Attend conferences.

Image ref @ JaSonYa

Project Fellow (Biological Sciences) Pay Scale: Rs. 16,000/- + 30 % HRA per month
Educational Requirements: M.Sc./B.Tech in life sciences/Biological sciences with at least 55 % marks
Experience Requirements: Research experience.
Details will be available at: http://www.igib.res.in/sites/default/files/24July2015.pdf

No of Post: 01
How To Apply: 1. Please fill up the proforma by clicking on the following link HR Online Form. 2. Candidate cannot apply for more than two posts. Last date of receiving application is 12-07-2015. No application would be entertained with “result awaited” status or after due date. List of shortlisted candidates will be put up on CSIR-IGIB website. No TA/DA will be paid to the candidates to attend the interview. The engagement shall be as per guidelines of CSIR/Funding agency. Candidates will have an option to give reply in Hindi. Note: The shortlisted candidates, have to report at 09:00 AM at Mall Road Campus, Delhi – 110007 on the day of interview along with any Photo ID card, (without photo ID card interview will not be conducted). 3 copies of updated signed C. V. (clearly mentioning Date of Birth and Highest Qualification with percentage), Dissertation (if any), PhD thesis (if any) and original certificates/Self attested photocopies for verification.
Detail of Interview: 24 July, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Age Limit: 28 Years

1. Research Associate – 1 No.

Rs. 36,000/38,000/40,000 per month for I, II and III year + 20% HRA

Essential : Doctoral degree in relevant subject from recognized University/ Institutes

Desirable: Research experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics.

Interested candidates can send their complete CV in plain paper with a passport size photograph, with details of marks secured in all subjects from plus two stage (with proof, full postal address, sex, date of birth, community etc., along with additional qualification or experiences and two address of references whom could be contacted.

DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES UNIVERSITY Dr. N. THAJUDDIN Professor & Head Dean, Faculty of Science, Technology & Engineering Tiruchirappalli – 620 024, India, Phone: +91 431 2407082; Mobile +91 098423 79719; E-mail: nthaju2002@yahoo.com

Application should reach the Principal Investigator on or before 5.8.2015 by Speed post/Couriers/Email (nthaju2002@yahoo.com), with subject printed as “Application for Research Associate /Technical Assistant /Lab attendant” in the envelop. Qualifying candidates will be short listed and communicated with date of interview. No TA and DA will be given for attending the interview. Address for Communication Dr.N.Thajuddin Principal Investigator Department of Microbiology Bharathidasan University Tiruchirappalli – 620 024, Tamil Nadu.

Advertisement: www.bdu.ac.in/adv/microbiology_advt.pdf