RESEARCH SCIENTIST IN AGRO-NANOTECHNOLOGY
ONE POSITION IS AVAILABLE
Position Title: Researcher (Investigador Titular A or B).
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: A highly innovative and productive scientist is required for a newly
established biomimicry-inspired Scientific and Technological Cluster (Biomimic) through
which research institutions share facilities and equipment and exchange scientific
personnel to foster transdisciplinary research. Biomimic is being built at the headquarters
of the Instituto de Ecología A.C., (INECOL) in Xalapa, Veracruz. 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 CIMAV (Centro de
Investigación en Materiales Avanzados), CIQA (Centro de Investigación en Química
Aplicada) or CICY (Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán) 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.
The recruited agro-nanotechnologist and environmental nanotechnologist will actively
collaborate with agronomists, biologists, ecologists, molecular biologists, chemists,
biochemists, and microbiologists to produce novel solutions to Mexico’s most pressing
environmental problems/challenges. Emphasis will be placed on the development of
innovative materials or techniques that offer solutions to specific problems, such as
nanoformulation of insecticides to enhance their performance and reduce environmental
impact, adhesive/repellent/attractive materials for use in agro-industry, and the
development of materials of potential pharmacological value. Additional solutions and
technological developments will be pursued in the area of advanced materials containing
natural components (i.e., bio-nano approaches), as well as in environmental sciences,
medicine, food science, renewable energies, agriculture and industrial uses such as the
development of novel formulations for environmentally-friendly paints, polymers, etc. The
recruited scientist will meet on a regular basis with industry and government
representatives to identify demands, common interests and suitable funding sources.
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will perform the highest quality research at the cutting edge
of knowledge on nanostructures/nanomaterials that can be employed to solve
pressing agricultural and environmental issues of national importance in Mexico.
The candidate will collaborate extensively with other researchers of the Biomimic
cluster, both in providing nanotechnology-related services to the Biomimic community
and by participation in collaborative studies.
Develop highly original innovative nanotechnological solutions to specific problems that
can strengthen links to the industrial sector by offering expert technical services and
by developing intellectual property.
Examine the environmental impact and biosecurity issues related to the use of
nanomaterials in natural ecosystems and agroecosystems.
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.
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:
Bachelor's degree in chemistry or materials science with a doctoral degree in
nanotechnology in an agriculture-related field.
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 the field of nanostructures/nanomaterials applied to the formulation of
biologically-active compounds, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.,
and/or the development of biologically-inspired novel nanomaterials.
Expertise in chemical techniques related to the preparation and handing of
nanomaterials.
Experience living and working in Latin America is desirable but not essential.
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.
Proven grant-writing skills.
Ability to work with the private sector as well as government agencies.
Skills in constructing and working in multidisciplinary teams, especially in providing
technical services related to the production and handling of nanomaterials as part of
multidisciplinary projects.
Work outside of regular business hours including weekends and travel is occasionally
required.
Commitment to ethics/scientific integrity.
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.