RESEARCH SCIENTIST IN PLANT GENOMICS
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 selected candidate is expected to lead research towards the
elucidation of complex plant genomes and comparative genomics of fruit trees of major
importance for Mexico, including avocado, mango, plum, citrus, and guava. The
successful candidate will join Biomimic, a multidisciplinary team working on the protection
and rational use of Mexican biodiversity, and will interact directly with another scientist of
the team specialized in functional genomics, and two technicians trained on molecular
biology techniques, as well as two bioinformaticians. The main aim of the research team
is to define molecular markers associated with pest and disease resistance, particularly
emerging problems or those causing severe negative effects on productivity. Biomimic
provides access to state of the art high-throughput DNA sequencing equipment, including
all technologies available in the market, and bioinformatics facilities. Solid experience in
genetics and genomics is required, as well as strong grant-writing, computer, and
oral/writing skills. Experience working with fruit trees is highly desirable but not absolutely
necessary (selected candidate is expected to quickly gain experience in the area).
Experience in plant-microbe and/or plant-insect interactions is desirable but not
indispensable.
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), Unidad Irapuato of
CINVESTAV, or Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY) 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.
Establish genome sequencing and analyses in collaboration with a scientist working on
functional genomics.
Define molecular markers associated with pest and disease resistance, particularly
emerging problems or those causing severe negative effects on productivity.
Participate in projects leading to the legal protection of genomic information of Mexican
biodiversity.
Teaching at 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 private companies.
Carry out research at the cutting edge of knowledge to be published in internationally
recognized journals and books.
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 Molecular Biology or Genomics.
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 genome sequencing and analysis strategies is essential.
Bioinformatics abilities are desirable but not essential. However, the candidate is
expected to be familiar with the bioinformatics tools used in genome analyses.
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.
Work outside of regular business hours including weekends and travel is occasionally
required.
Commitment to ethics/scientific integrity.
Skills in constructing and working in multidisciplinary teams as part of multidisciplinary
projects.
Ability to work with private sector as well as government agencies.
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.
Write or help write patents.
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.