Life Sciences, Pharmacology recruitment at Tata Medical Center

The Tata Medical Center (TMC) is a multispecialty institution for tertiary cancer care based in New Town, Kolkata. At TMC, clinical and research activities are integrated to provide state-of-the-art care for patients with cancer. This integration is enabled by the Tata Translational Cancer Research Centre (TTCRC), the research arm of TMC. TTCRC is within a dedicated academic space and spread over 3 floors. At TTCRC, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, academics and industry professionals collaborate to develop a systems medicine approach in cancer research. This approach is focussed on developing innovative, indigenous, cost-effective and equitable strategies to improve cancer diagnosis; develop treatments that match disease characteristics and are adapted to treatment response; and, identify prognostic and predictive disease biomarkers.

Post : Research Assistant in Proteomics

The Position
In this position, you will work as part of the cancer cell biology group at TTCRC. The group uses high-throughput discovery screens coupled with systematic hypothesis-driven studies to investigate potential leads from clinical observations and proteogenomic studies. Integral to this approach is the development of suitable pre-clinical tumour models that closely recapitulate disease and that are robust and reproducible. The group’s work is focussed currently on two cancers, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and gallbladder cancer. The group is supported by a dedicated tissue biorepository, a clinical research unit, genomics and informatic analyses. Access to resources include confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, dedicated tissue culture facility, virus transduction facility and mass spectroscopy. Your primary responsibility will be to continue, optimise and extend ongoing work on developing, establishing and maintaining suitable primary cultures from tissue samples. This will involve working closely with the hospital’s multidisciplinary clinical service, the tissue biorepository unit and colleagues in the cancer cell biology group. You will also participate in downstream functional studies that will use these model cell systems to investigate disease biology and identify therapeutic opportunities. The post holder will have a designated desk and computer.

Minimum required qualifications/experience
(a) MSc in Biological Sciences, including Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Pharmacology
(b) Familiarity with mammalian cell culture
(c) Familiarity with basic research laboratory protocols with respect to protein assays
(d) Conceptual understanding of protein chemistry, chromatography and mass spectrometry

Necessary qualities
(a) Integrity, motivation, enthusiasm
(b) Focus and commitment in carrying out tasks and duties
(c) Critical analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of independent work
(d) Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
(e) Clarity in career and professional development goals

Appointment and reporting
Appointment to the position will initially be for 3 (three) years. The first year is probationary Confirmation in the position and progression to years 2 and 3 is subject to satisfactory review of performance through periodic appraisals of performance. Appraisals will also determine salary increments and promotions. The consolidated monthly salary is INR 25,000 – INR 42,000 and the start pay will be based on review of qualifications and experience. The position is funded by a centre grant from the Tata Consultancy Services. The successful applicant will be managed by the Lead Scientist in Proteomics and will report to the Director.

Submission of applications by post or by e-mail to :
Mr Suvasish Mukherjee;
Head, Human Resources;
Tata Medical Center; 14 Major Arterial Road (East-West);
Newtown, Rajarhat; Kolkata 700 160
e-mail: suvashish.mukherjee@tmckolkata.com