SEARCH SCIENTIST IN PLANT PROTEOMICS and TRANSCRIPTOMICS
ONE POSITION IS AVAILABLE
Position Title: Researcher (Investigador Titular A or Titular 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: Although the combination of fields is not common, we are seeking a
candidate expected to lead research in the area of plant proteomics and transcriptomics.
The main aim of the research team, that the successful candidate will join, is to find
alternatives to deal with emerging pests and diseases of fruit trees of major importance for
Mexico, including avocado, mango, plum, citrus, and guava. The contributions expected
from the selected candidate will also be related to the analysis of the transcriptional and
proteomic responses of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, such as drought. The
successful candidate will join Biomimic, a multidisciplinary team working on the protection
and rational use of Mexican biodiversity, and will directly interact with other scientists of
the team specialized in structural genomics, structural and chemical basis of plant
resistance to insect pests, and technicians trained in molecular biology techniques, as well
as two bioinformaticians. Biomimic provides access to state of the art high-throughput
DNA sequencing equipment, and bioinformatics facilities. Solid experience in genomics,
transcriptomics, proteomics and statistics 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 proteomic/transcriptomic analyses in collaboration with scientists working on
structural genomics and structural and chemical basis of plant resistance to insect
pests of fruit trees.
Carry out research towards the elucidation of proteomic and transcriptional responses
of plants to biotic and abiotic stress.
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.
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 plant proteomics/transcriptomics.
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 proteomic analyses.
Expertise in RNAseq, microarrays, and the corresponding analysis tools are essential.
Bioinformatics abilities are desirable but not essential. However, the candidate is
expected to be familiar with the bioinformatics tools used in proteome and
transcriptome analyses.
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.