One (1) Research Assistant Position [Ref # ORZ-0584]

19 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas

Department

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Greece

Application Deadline

29 Jan 2024 - 13:00 (Europe/Athens)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Biosensors lab ( https://www.gizeligroup.eu/ ), headed by Prof. Electra Gizeli, invites applications from a scientist for one positionto work on the newly awarded EU HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 project entitled “On-site biological sensing for aquatic pollutants and biohazards”, Acronym: AquaBioSens.

 

Job Description:

Development of environmental RNA assays and whole-cell biosensors using transcriptomics

Specifically, the successful applicant will develop user-friendly RNA extraction and isothermal amplification approaches implemented on a portable device to measure the expression of microalgal toxin production genes in marine and freshwater locations that are used for food production (e.g., shellfish farms) and bathing. They will also develop whole-cell biosensors to quantify heavy metal contamination using microalgal responsive gene markers tagged with fluorescent proteins. The candidate will work closely with collaborators at the National Oceanography Centre (UK) and University of Southern Denmark, and potentially have opportunities to participate in field testing in Greece, UK and Ireland.

 

About the lab and new post: The successful applicant will be expected to join a multidisciplinary group consisting of biologists, chemists, engineers, bio-physicists and material scientists which focuses on the development of diagnostic/biosensing platforms for environmental and healthcare applications. They will contribute to scientific excellence and innovation-driven research related to the development of assays for aquatic-pollutants testing in the field; participate in technology transfer events, contribute towards the broad dissemination of scientific results and develop skills related to presentations, report-writing and scientific papers writing.

 

About the project:

AquaBioSens aims to decentralize aquatic hazard and pollution measurement tools, aligned with the EU Missions to “Restore the oceans and waters” and achieve a “clean environment with zero pollution by 2030”. The project will develop portable devices to measure emerging contaminants, microbial biohazards, and heavy metals. The devices will employ cutting-edge techniques, including immunoassays for organic contaminants, RNA quantification for harmful microalgae and bacteria, and genetically modified whole cell biosensors for heavy metal quantification. The project will demonstrate and validate the devices in polluted coastal and freshwater environments in the UK, Ireland, and Greece, with the support of local government inspection agencies. Results will be widely disseminated to maximize the commercial potential of the technologies.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• BSc in a relevant biological or environmental science
• MSc in a relevant biological or environmental science
• Minimum 1 year laboratory research experience in molecular biology (nucleic acid extractions, amplification, basic bioinformatics)
• Excellent oral and written skills in English language

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desired qualifications/requirements:

• Degree or laboratory experience in aquatic/marine science discipline
• Laboratory experience in microbiology or cell culture
• Ability to start in the next 2-3 months

 

	Evaluation criteria	Maximum score
1.	BSc in relevant biological or environmental science (Points = grade x 1)	10
2.	MSc in relevant biological or environmental science (Points = grade x 2)	20
3.	Minimum 1 year laboratory research experience in molecular biology (nucleic acid extractions, amplification, basic bioinformatics) (12 months = 10 points, > 12 months = 20 points)	20
4.	Oral and written skills in the English language (proven by certificates or degrees obtained in English language) (Β1 = 2 points, Β2 = 5 points, C1 = 7 points, C2 = 10 points)	10
5.	Degree or laboratory experience in aquatic/marine science discipline (Degree: points = grade x 1 / Lab experience: 6 – 12 months = 5 points, > 12 months = 10 points)	10
6.	Laboratory experience in microbiology or cell culture (6-12 months = 5 points, >12 months = 10 points)	10
7.	Interview (general knowledge of the field, motivation, independence)	20
8.	Ability to start in the next 2-3 months	YES / NO
Total score	100

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Internal Application form(s) needed
Application form-en_4.pdf
English
(498.8 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Benefits

Contract Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension for another three years needs

Salary: 1100-1400€ monthly cost net depending on qualifications and experience

Envisaged starting date: 1st March 2024

Application submission: Interested applicants should submit their application electronically by January 29, 2024 @ 13:00 (Greece time)

Eligibility criteria

The application should consist of:

1. Application Form (see below)

2. CV

3. Brief statement of purpose

4. The names and contact details of two referees

5. Scanned copies of academic titles

6. Scanned copies proving all the qualifications

 

 

Submission of applications:  [email protected]

Selection process

Evaluation procedure

Applications will be evaluated by a three-member evaluation committee. In case of interview procedure, applicants will be invited to participate in person or teleconference.

In case of titles and qualifications awarded by foreign Higher Education Institutions, the provisions of the Law 55/2023 (article 36) and 4957/2022 (article 304) are implemented.

The results of the selection will be announced on the website of IMBB-FORTH. Applicants have the right to appeal the selection decision, by addressing their written objection to the IMBB secretariat within five days since the results announcement on the web. Objections are submitted in one of the following ways: in person, by an authorized person, by post, by courier. They also have the right to access (a) the files of the applicants as well as (b) the table of applicants’ scores (ranking of applicants results). All the above information related to the selection procedure will be available at the secretariat of IMBB-FORTH in line with the Hellenic Data Protection Authority. Access to personal data of co- applicants  shall be limited to personal data (and relevant data) and supporting documents which have been the basis of the evaluation of the applicants for the specific post(s). Prior to the announcement of the personal data and/or documents of the co- applicants to the applicant, FORTH will inform the data subjects in an appropriate way.

The selected applicants will be notified personally regarding the success of his/her application and will be requested to submit certified copies of his/her degrees. If the submitted documents do not agree with the original application, the applicant will be dismissed.

Additional comments

GDPR Disclaimer

FORTH is compliant with all legal procedures for the processing of personal data as defined by the Regulation EU/2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data. FORTH processes the personal data and relevant supporting documents that applicants have submitted. Processing of that data is carried out exclusively for the needs and purposes of this specific call. Such data shall not be transmitted to or communicated to any third party unless required by law.

FORTH retains the above data up to the announcement of the final results of the call, unless further process and reservation is required by law or for purposes of exercise, enforcement, prosecution of certain one’s legitimate legal rights’ as defined in the Regulation EU/2016/679 and/or in national law. Under the Regulation EU/2016/679, applicants have the rights to be informed about their personal data, access to, rectification and erasure, restrictions of process and objection to as provided by applicable regulation and national laws. Applicants have the right to file a complaint to the national Data Protection Authority. For any further information regarding exercise of personal data protection rights, applicants may contact the Data Protection Officer at FORTH at [email protected] .

Applicants have the right to withdraw their application and consent for the processing of personal data at any time. In this case, FORTH shall destroy such documents and/or supporting documents submitted and shall delete the related personal data.

 

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMBB

Country

Greece

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Heraklion

Website

http://www.imbb.forth.gr

Street

Vassilika Vouton

Postal Code

70013

STATUS: EXPIRED