RESEARCH TECHNICIAN IN NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY, PARTICULARLY
PLANT SECONDARY METABOLITES
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
researchers in entomology, organic chemistry, molecular biology in research programs on
plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions, focused mainly on the chemical basis of plant
resistance. Work with animals other than insects will also be expected if time permits.
Studies on the chemical basis of plant resistance will cover the ecochemical importance of
phenolic compounds, cyanogenics, alkaloids, glucosynolates and their potential synthesis.
Studies will also include research on plant secondary metabolic pathways (e.g.,
phenylpropanoid biosynthesis) when plant resistance enhancers, growth regulators are
applied on fruit tree crops in Mexico. Secondary metabolite characterization, gene
expression and its influence on plant resistance phenotype will also be analyzed with the
aim of identifying genes and markers of importance for breeding programs and the
development of resistant cultivars.
Responsibilities: The technician will support researchers by:
Help generate research at the cutting edge of knowledge.
Characterizing organic compounds, specifically plant secondary metabolites related to
plant resistance in plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions by using UHPLC-MSTOF,
GC-MS, FT-IR spectroscopy.
Adopting an integrated approach to these studies that covers chemical, biomolecular,
and physiological approaches.
Developing and improving advanced analytical and bromatological methods to
quantify and identify nutrients and secondary metabolites in tissue.
Analyzing data and interpreting chemical profiles.
Writing of technical reports describing methods, procedures and results of particular
studies.
Developing operational guidelines for the maintenance, operation and calibration of
laboratory equipment.
Basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
The candidate will collaborate extensively with other researchers of the Biomimic
cluster in providing plant chemistry-related technical support
Keeping the laboratory equipment in optimal working condition and provide technical
support to the researcher in competing for 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.
Providing technical support for graduate student projects.
Supervise undergraduate student projects.
Assisting 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 Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or a closely related
discipline.
Experience in characterization, identification of organic compounds from plant and/or
insect tissue.
Experience of analytical techniques such as UHPLC, LC-MS-TOF, GC-MS, FT-IR
Reading and writing in English, is required.
Solid knowledge of statistics applied to biology and other pertinent fields.
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.
Skills in working in multidisciplinary teams.
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.