RESEARCH SCIENTIST: SYMBIOTIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN INSECTS
AND MICROORGANISMS (MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST)
ONE POSITION IS AVAILABLE
Position Title: Researcher (Investigador Titular A).
Employment Status: Full-Time, 12 months. The appointment is renewable depending
upon performance and funding. After three years, candidates can apply for tenure.
General Description: The main objective of this position is to develop an understanding of
the molecular biology of insect symbiosis and its potential applications in pest control.
Scientific effort will be directed at the characterization of different insect symbiotic
associations towards the development of non-chemical control methods against
agricultural, environmental and medical insect pests, as well as the exploration of their
metagenomes to identify novel compounds with potential biotechnological applications.
This line of research should provide: (i) improved understanding of the symbiotic
microbiota associated with important agricultural and medical pests in Mexico, (ii)
characterize symbiont population dynamics and determine their effects on host fitness,
and pathogen transmission capabilities, (iii) coordinate efforts between research and
industry for the development of symbiont-based control methods to address major pest
issues in agriculture and public health, (iv) the use of metagenomics as a tool for insect
symbiont bioprospecting to identify novel biotechnologically important products.
To foster a broad understanding of the aims of the Biomimic cluster among the new
scientific staff, once recruited, the candidate will spend a period of 2-6 months in either the
Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (LANGEBIO) or the Unidad
Irapuato of CINVESTAV to establish productive collaborations, write collaborative grants,
and to foster long-term collaborative research projects. The candidate will then return to
the brand new facilities at INECOL’s headquarters equipped with state-of-the art
technologies to facilitate high quality academic and technological research.
Responsibilities:
Carry out research at the cutting edge of knowledge.
Lead research on insect-symbiont metagenomes, improved protocols and ultrafast
sequencing technologies for symbiont genomics and insect metagenomics studies.
Perform sequencing of insect symbiont genomes and bioinformatics tools for symbiont
genomes and metagenome exploration.
In silico identification of candidate gene products with a potential for commercial
exploitation.
Characterization of host-symbiont interactions using an integrated approach (i.e.,
genetic, molecular, cellular, biochemical and immunological approaches will be
considered).
In cooperation with other areas, to study the population dynamics, transmission
pathways and effects of symbionts on major agricultural, forest and medically
important insect pests, disease vectors, and beneficial insects (e.g., parasitoids,
predators, etc.).
Interaction of symbionts with the insect host and other symbionts. Role of symbionts in
pathogen transmission.
The candidate will collaborate extensively with other researchers of the Biomimic
cluster, both in providing insect molecular biology related services to the Biomimic
community and by participation in collaborative studies.
Teaching in INECOL Master’s and Doctorate programs.
Supervising graduate and undergraduate students.
Write competitive grants to fund research activities submitted to Mexican and
international organizations/government agencies, and also to commercial companies.
Publish high quality papers in internationally recognized scientific journals, and
occasionally in books, national and outreach journals and popular magazines intended
for the general public.
Write or help write patents.
Help recruit talents for science and technology among primary, secondary and high
school students.
Qualifications:
Doctoral degree in Insect Molecular Biology.
At least one postdoctoral position in area of expertise.
Special attention will be granted to those candidates having obtained outstanding
research achievements during their doctoral studies.
Expertise in genomics, metagenomics, bioinformatics and insect experimental
systems.
Experience living and working in Latin America is desirable but not required.
Fluency or a willingness to learn Spanish, both spoken and written, is required; as are
written and spoken skills in English.
Excellent interpersonal and multitasking skills, ability to negotiate, to deal with
pressure, complex situations and stress.
Work outside of regular business hours including weekends and travel is occasionally
required.
Commitment to ethics/scientific integrity.
Ability to work with private sector as well as government agencies.
Skills in constructing and working in multidisciplinary teams as part of multidisciplinary
projects.
A spirit of collaboration/team working and service to society.
A driving license.
Authorship of at least 5 recent scientific publications (at least three as first author or
corresponding author), in high quality international indexed journals.
Interested candidates from Mexico and elsewhere in the entire world should send their
updated Curriculum Vitae and additional support material of particular value for members
of the Search Committee (e.g., citation record, relevant awards, narrative of particular
achievements or contributions to science) to Dr. Guillermo Angeles, Secretario Académico
at secretaria.academica@inecol.edu.mx always cc’ing maluja.dirgral@inecol.edu.mx.
Three letters of recommendation are needed as well as the e-mail addresses and
telephones of three established scientists/professors that have agreed to be interviewed
on the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. An additional letter by the candidate
expressing interest in the job, explaining how exactly her/his training/experience fits the job
description, and expressing her/his willingness to strictly adhere to the principles of
collaboration, team working, networking and scientific integrity is also needed. Any
questions should be addressed to Dr. Guillermo Angeles.