Consultant / Scientist: Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology

P. Namperumalsamy Regional Research Center (PNRRC), Aravind Eye Hospital, CoimbatoreQualification: MD (Microbiology) or PhD (Microbiology). Experience: Hands-on experience in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory is essential. Appointment: Full-time. Designation (Consultant or Scientist) will depend on qualification and experienceSalary: Commensurate with qualification and experienceThe roleAravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore, is looking for a microbiologist to lead its Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology program at PNRRC. The position carries full responsibility for the diagnostic microbiology laboratory and for the molecular diagnostics research program.Diagnostic serviceRun the diagnostic microbiology laboratory serving a high-volume tertiary eye hospital: microbial keratitis, endophthalmitis and ocular surface infectionsMaintain quality standards, standard operating procedures and turnaround times, and lead the laboratory towards accreditationWork closely with the cornea, retina and other clinical teams on result interpretation and difficult casesMolecular diagnosticsLead the molecular diagnostics program, which currently includes CRISPR/Cas12a-based rapid pan-fungal detection, PCR-based pathogen identification and metagenomic sequencing on an in-house Nanopore platformTake assays from development through optimization, analytical validation and clinical validation, and into routine use where warrantedContribute to the design and conduct of the ICMR-funded multicentre program on molecular diagnosis of fungal endophthalmitis, and related work on infectious keratitisResearch and trainingDesign, conduct and publish studies drawing on the hospital's large clinical specimen baseContribute to grant applications and external collaborationsSupervise technical staff and postgraduate traineesEssentialMD (Microbiology) or PhD (Microbiology)Experience running, or working at a senior level in, a routine diagnostic microbiology laboratoryWorking knowledge of laboratory quality systemsAbility to function as part of a clinical service and communicate with cliniciansDemonstrated interest in research (publications, projects or grants)DesirableMolecular diagnostic assay development and validationPCR, sequencing (including Nanopore metagenomics) What Aravind offersA high-volume tertiary eye hospital: the laboratory receives approximately 1000 ocular specimens a yearAn established molecular laboratory with real-time PCR, a Nanopore sequencer, etc. and a team of 6 technical staffAn ICMR-funded multicentre program in molecular diagnostics for endophthalmitis, with assay validation and metagenomic sequencing under wayDaily working contact between clinicians and researchers, and a research group with a record of publication in ocular infection and molecular diagnosticsSupport for research proposals, conference presentation and postgraduate supervisionHow to applySend the following to siddharth@aravind.org with the subject line "Application: Molecular and Diagnostic Microbiology":Curriculum vitae, including a list of publicationsA one-page statement of research interests and relevant diagnostic laboratory experienceNames and contact details of two referees