Project Assistant -DBT Project
The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), founded in 1988 by Professor M.S. Swaminathan, stands as a global leader in leveraging science and technology for sustainable rural development. Established with the proceeds of the First World Food Prize, MSSRF embodies the visionary ethos of its founder, who transformed the landscape of food security and ecological sustainability. MSSRF is present in nine states of India. Please visit our website for more information https://www.mssrf.org/
The project aims to uncover the hidden world of soil microorganisms and understand how they influence drought tolerance and aflatoxin, a mycotoxin released by Aspergillus sp., contamination in groundnut. We will generate and analyze large-scale metagenomic datasets to identify beneficial microbial communities associated with resilient crops. With increasing climate variability and the anticipated impacts of future super El Niño events, drought stress is expected to become a major challenge for agriculture. Simultaneously, aflatoxin contamination, remains one of the most important quality constraints affecting oilseed crops, food safety, export potential, and farmer income.
Key responsibilities
- Soil microbiome and rhizosphere ecology
- Metagenomics and microbial diversity analysis
- Isolation and characterization of beneficial microbes
- Plant-microbe interactions under abiotic stress
- Molecular biology techniques
- Data analysis, scientific writing, and publication
Qualification
M.Sc. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Agricultural Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or related disciplines.
Experience
- Experience in microbiological and molecular biology techniques.
- Basic understanding of bioinformatics or microbial ecology.
- Interest in plant-microbe interactions and sustainable agriculture.
- Good communication and scientific writing skills.
Job Code: PABIO062026, Age Limit: 23- 28 Yrs
Period: Initially for one year, extendable based on performance and project requirements.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send the following documents as a single PDF:
Updated CV
Cover letter indicating research interests
Copies of educational certificates