Research positions for Life Sciences candidates at SJRI

The St. John's Research Institute (SJRI) is a part of the St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, which is run by the CBCI Society for Medical Education. From its inception, St. John's has set before it an ideal of excellence in academic courses as well as service to society as a result of which it has truly become holistic both in its outlook and in its approach to the problems of community health. In 2000, the Academy decided that its commitment to excellence in research required the setting up of an Institute that was dedicated to the pursuit of research and capacity development in St. John's. This vision encompassed improvement of health of the community and patients through research and development of a Center for Excellence in medical research in India.

Post : Research Associate III-DBT INDIGO Project

No. of Vacancy : One
Employment status : Contract
Salary : Rs. 54000+24%HRA per month

Language : English

Experience : Minimum 3-4 years

Preferred Qualifications : PhD in Life Sciences preferably in the field of Immunology Or Master’s in Life sciences

Location : Bangalore

Brief Description about the Project
Despite the availability of flu vaccines for decades, influenza is still an important disease in both developing and developed countries with 500,000 casualties annually and many more people affected. From a global health perspective, the lack of effectivity, availability, affordability and accessibility of flu vaccines significantly limits our ability to respond to the seasonal flu every year and in the event of a pandemic. Currently, a low vaccine effectivity of 40% implies that 60% of vaccinated people are not sufficiently protected, with low confidence further contributing to limited uptake/immunization. In this project, public and private R&D organizations in India, EU and US collaborate on the development of two novel influenza vaccine concepts that meet the requirements of global vaccination, aiming to achieve <10% instead of 60% non-responders, lower costs, and better accessibility.

The first approach combines a low dose of a commercial, inactivated, seasonal flu vaccine with a novel, potent adjuvant, and will deliver proof-of-concept in Phase I and IIa trials within 5 years. The second approach builds on three innovations : 1) a novel recombinant HA with increased immunogenicity, 2) a potent adjuvant, and 3) an easy, needle-free delivery by intradermal patches. Contra-productive parts of HA will be removed to increase the immunogenicity of neutralizing epitopes. The adjuvant further stimulates protective immunity and immunological memory. The use of intradermal patches opens possibilities for self-administration, which will improve vaccine uptake in developing as well as developed countries. With proven nonclinical immunogenicity and safety, we will embark on clinical development of this concept after completion of the project. These plans differ in complexity and timelines but are realistic with chances to deliver next-generation flu vaccines for the globe.

Roles & Responsibilities
• The ability to set up and data interpret in the context of the field of research (infection and immunity: human immunology) a number of immune assays, including: advanced multiparameter flow cytometry; immune transcriptome analysis; immune subset purification and analysis; extensive experience in immune cell culture and stimulation; evidence of an in-depth understanding of T cell immunity to infection including knowledge of T cell subset function; cell sorting and capture for transcriptome analysis; qPCR and ability to set up cell migration and immune co-culture assays.
• Ability to work independently on a focussed programme of work and be collegiate within a wider team of immunologists.
• Evidence of demonstrable scientific leadership skills with first author publications in field of research with impact and keenness to progress towards an independent researcher status.
• Ability to communicate and interpret scientific literature and primary data using a variety of appropriate software.
• Evidence of having undertaken scientific administrative duties including ordering consumables, awareness of financial records and supervising junior staff.

Interested candidates may send their Resume to :
The Principal Investigator
DBT INDIGO Study Project
SJRI
To Apply : E-mail cover letter and curriculum vitae with 3 references (names and email addresses / phone numbers) by on or before 20th February 2026 to yashashwini@sjri.res.in & cc to hr@sjri.res.in

Last Day for Receiving Application : 9th November, 2024