RESEARCH TECHNICIAN IN ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (Soil and Insects)
ONE POSITION IS AVAILABLE
Position Title: Technician (Técnico 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 selected candidate is expected to provide technical support to
microbiologists involved in research programs on soil microbiota and insect symbionts.
Soil microbiology research focuses on microorganisms that affect soil fertility, including
host-parasite, host-pathogen or plant-microbe systems, and specifically investigate
potential impacts of novel nanomaterials and nanocompounds on the dynamics, structure
and function of microbial communities in water, soil, rhizosphere, and phylloplane
ecosystems. The microbiology of insect symbiosis focuses on the potential applications of
these microorganisms in pest control, to provide an improved understanding of the
symbiotic microbiota associated with important agricultural and medical pests in Mexico, to
characterize symbiont population dynamics and determine their effects on host fitness,
and pathogen transmission capabilities, and apply genomics techniques for insect
symbiont bioprospecting with the aim of identifying novel biotechnologically important
products.
Responsibilities:
Help generate research at the cutting edge of knowledge.
The technician will provide support to studies on the effects of soil microbiota on
fertility and the beneficial/adverse effects on nanomaterials/nanocompounds on soil
microbial communities.
Host-symbiont interactions, including the characterization of host-symbiont
interactions using an integrated approach (i.e., 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 pests, disease vectors, and beneficial insects.
Interaction of symbionts with the insect host and other symbionts, including the role of
symbionts in pathogen transmission.
The candidate will collaborate extensively with other researchers of the Biomimic
cluster in providing microbiology-related technical support.
Innovation or improvement in techniques related to the collection, processing and
presentation of results.
Design of experimental systems and equipment to meet the needs of specific
research problems
The development of operational guidelines for the maintenance, operation and
calibration of specific laboratory equipment.
Writing of technical reports describing methods, procedures and results of studies
performed.
Development of computer programs and procedures when necessary.
Solid knowledge of statistics applied to biology or other pertinent fields.
Maintain the laboratory equipment in optimal working condition and compete for
national and international funding to update and extend the range of equipment as
necessary.
Assist in training Master's and Doctorate students at INECOL, CIMAV, CIQA, CICY,
LANGEBIO and CINVESTAV Irapuato.
Provide technical support for graduate student projects.
Supervise undergraduate student projects.
Assist in the technical contribution to publications in high quality scientific journals and
popular magazines intended for the general public.
Help write patents.
Help recruit talents for science and technology among primary, secondary and high
school students.
Qualifications:
A Master’s degree in Microbiology or a closely related discipline.
Experience in the cultivation and identification of microorganisms from natural and
managed ecosystems, particularly the soil and insect guts.
Experience in the application of molecular techniques and of cultivation-independent
techniques applied to the characterization of microbial communities (TRFLP, DGGe,
ARDRA, etc.).
Experience in microscopy techniques, including SEM, TEM, confocal microscopy.
Skills in constructing and working in multidisciplinary teams, and in providing technical
services as part of multidisciplinary projects.
Reading and writing in English, is required.
Solid knowledge of statistics applied to biology.
Experience living and working in Latin America is desirable but not essential.
Excellent interpersonal and multitasking skills, ability to negotiate, to deal with
pressure, complex situations and stress.
Ability to work with the private sector as well as government agencies.
Work outside of regular business hours, including weekends and travel is occasionally
required.
A spirit of collaboration/team working and service to society.
A driving license.
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.