Team Leader

The role holder shall lead research activities of biochemical & molecular biological analysis of microbes & Biomolecules. The role holder should have been well versed in Plant Metabolomics, Biotechnology, Induced mutagenesis, Genome editing, Plant Molecular Biology and Genomics. Bioinformatics, Nextgen Sequencing & handling of large set of data. The role holder shall also provide technical leadership, management and coaching of professionals in the team. Manage the requirements/budgets and ensure that project schedules are met and that the work is carried out efficiently and accurately, providing regular updates to the management. A good technical knowledge on biologicals research and excellent communication skills are essential.

Operational

• Perform molecular biology studies such as Genomic DNA isolation, RNA isolation, Cloning, Real time PCR, Gene expression profiling
• Conduct comprehensive biochemical analyses such as ELISA, primary metabolites profiling by GC-MS, of biomolecules by HPLC, hormone analysis by LC-MS , structural identification of biomolecules using NMR, volatile compound analysis using HS-SPME-GC-MS,
• Utilize bioinformatics tools such as BWA, SAMtools, GATK, LoFreq, SNVer, VipR, CRISP, and CAMBA pipeline for sequencing data analysis. Perform GC-MS data analysis using MetaboAnalyst and Metalign, BLAST for sequence alignment, PARSESNP and SIFT for mutation analysis, and construct phylogenetic trees and heat maps. Efficiently browse genes from genome browser databases, conduct statistical analyses, and manage large datasets with precision.
• Design, execute, and analyse experiments and studies related to Biomolecule research, ensuring high scientific rigor and compliance with guidelines
• Support primary screening team by identifying microorganisms using molecular biology techniques
• Develop protocols to cultivate microorganisms in various substrates under controlled conditions to induce or maximize the production of specific biomolecules.
• Establish and consistently implement SOPs for all methods and techniques employed by the team to ensure standardization, efficiency, and quality.
• Follow documentation standards to report results, participate in all department meetings and present robust analysis of data.
• Adhere to all safety / information security / quality norms related to research procedures
• Ensure seamless coordination with the project manager to achieve project goals effectively
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying, prioritizing, and implementing enhancements.
• Provide scientific expertise and guidance in product development strategies, identifying opportunities for innovation

People

• Performance Management & team leadership:
  Set performance goals, provide mentorship, review progress, give constructive feedback, and recognize high-performing team members for rewards and career growth.
• Resource management:
  Ensure adequate team staffing and provide support in screening and shortlisting candidates for hiring into the team.
• Functional Collaboration:
  Guide and motivate team members, contractual workers, encourage collaboration and communication across teams to meet research objectives effectively.
• Professional Development:
  Lead and foster continuous learning, development, and knowledge enhancement through training, literature, webinars, and conferences, promoting a learning culture within the team.

Education Qualification

• Ph D. in Agriculture (Biotechnology/Microbiology/ Biochemistry/Crop Physiology) from a reputed University / Institute with excellent academic credentials

Functional Competencies

• Deep understanding of molecular biology techniques
• Proficiency in identifying, quantifying, and analyzing biomolecules
• Ability to design and oversee complex research projects, ensuring appropriate methodologies are chosen for the characterization of biomolecules.
• Strong skills in analyzing large sets of data, including bioinformatics tools
• Knowledgeable in microbiology
• Ability to lead research projects from design to completion, ensuring timely delivery of results, meeting milestones, and coordinating resources effectively.