Nanobiology lab at IISc leads the ICMR-Center for Collaborative Research with National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai
ICMR has supported us to build something India doesn't have yet: a single assay that measures antibodies against multiple (>20) pathogens (including vaccine-preventable diseases, emerging pathogens and elimination targets) at once, in serum or in a dried blood spot, reported in international units.
We're hiring for two positions!
What are we doing?
India runs one of the largest immunisation programmes in the world and still has no standing way to check whether it is working. Most serosurveys here test one or two pathogens at a time — each one a separate field study, a separate lab setup, a separate budget, and results that can't be compared across studies, age groups or states.
Multiplexing collapses that. One small specimen, multiple human antigens, almost no incremental cost per extra pathogen. The output is a map of where immunity actually exists in the Indian population and where the gaps are — the kind of evidence that can inform the national immunisation policy.
The platform is not intended to stay in this lab. SOPs, reference panels, QC materials and analysis code are to be handed over to ICMR-NIE, Chennai, so that testing can continue there after the project ends. Much of the documentation and training that makes that handover possible will come out of these four posts.
Remuneration: ₹72,800/month (₹56,000 + 30% HRA); Age limit: 35
Scientific Responsibilities: Lead the coupling chemistry for >20 antigens, develop an automated pipeline with robotics and video-guided scheduler, perform singleplex titrations, establish DBS protocols, and execute analytical and clinical validation. Develop computational frameworks in R or Python to infer seroincidence and analyze multivariate assay structures
Eligibility: PhD (bioengineering, Biomedical engineering, clinical or medical biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, immunology, virology). Requires quantitative immunoassay experience (e.g., Luminex, MagPix, BioPlex) and proficiency in R/Python for multivariate modeling and automated pipeline development.
Remuneration: ₹72,800/month (₹56,000 + 30% HRA); Age limit: 35
Scientific Responsibilities: Manage mammalian and bacterial expression, chromatographic purification, characterization, and batch quality control for all antigens. Oversee assay operations including plate scheduling, run acceptance criteria, and control charting for the semi-automated pipeline.
Eligibility: PhD (life sciences, biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, bioengineering, immunology, virology) Demonstrated expertise with HEK293/CHO expression systems and FPLC is strongly preferred.
Send us your full application in a PDF format as a single file by email to Rahul Roy.
A short note on why this post and not another one. Half a page is plenty.
Your CV.
Certificates for qualification, experience and date of birth.
Two referees we can contact.
Put the role name in the subject line. Applications close 30 Oct 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at IISc or online; no TA/DA is payable. Informal questions before you apply are welcome at the same address.
Job Title: Project Associate – Strategizing antiviral therapy against Flaviviruses
Location: Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Position Type: Full-time
Job Description:
We are seeking motivated and talented graduates to join our team, to develop novel antiviral strategies against Dengue and Zika virus infection. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of cutting-edge research in quantitative virology, systems biology, molecular biology, and cell biology.
You will play a key role in designing and conducting experiments to study the effects of antiviral drugs at the early life-cycle stage of flaviviral infections in mammalian cells, exploring strategies predicted by our recent work [1], while also investigating innate immune responses—specifically RIG-I and interferon signaling pathways—during these infections, to validate modeling predictions from our recent preprint [2]
[1] Chhajer H., Rizvi V. A. and Roy R., 2021. Life cycle process dependencies of positive-sense RNA viruses suggest strategies for inhibiting productive cellular infection J. R. Soc. Interface.1820210401
[2] Boddepalli R., Chhajer H. and Roy R., 2025. Integrative Modelling of Innate Immune Response Dynamics during Virus Infection. bioRxiv 2025.06.17.660089; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.06.17.660089
Key Responsibilities:
Culture and maintain mammalian cell lines (e.g., human and mosquito-derived) under sterile conditions for studying flaviviral infections.
Perform and optimize viral infection assays (e.g., focus-forming unit [FFU] assays, viral growth curves) to investigate early life-cycle stages of Dengue and Zika virus replication.
Conduct molecular and cell biology experiments such as transfections, quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence to assess the effects of antiviral drugs and virus infection on cellular processes.
Investigate innate immune signaling responses, focusing on RIG-I and interferon pathways, to experimentally validate predictions from quantitative modeling studies [2].
Assist in the screening and evaluation of antiviral compounds using quantitative, high-throughput approaches guided by mechanistic modeling of the flaviviral life cycle [1].
Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data, integrating results with computational predictions to refine models of infection and immune response dynamics.
Maintain detailed and accurate experimental records, adhering to laboratory standards for documentation and reproducibility.
Collaborate actively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to project discussions, troubleshooting, and data interpretation across molecular biology, virology, and systems biology efforts.
Ensure compliance with biosafety and laboratory safety regulations, maintaining safe practices for handling infectious materials and mammalian cell cultures.
Desired Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in biotechnology, molecular biology, virology, microbiology, cell biology, biotechnology, or related field.
Experience: Previous hands-on experience in cell culture, viral assays, or related molecular biology techniques is essential.
Technical Skills:
Expertise in culturing mammalian cells.
Experience with viral infection models and assays.
Proficiency in molecular biology techniques like PCR, FACS, immunostaining and other techniques are plus.
Knowledge of biosafety practices when handling infectious agents.
Problem-solving Skills: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of troubleshooting experimental challenges.
Collaborative Attitude: Enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary team and sharing scientific knowledge.
Benefits:
Competitive salary as per IISc norms.
Opportunities for career development and advancement.
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.
Collaborative and supportive research environment.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your research experience and interest in viral infection studies, and contact information for two references to rahulroy@iisc.ac.in. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Join us in advancing scientific knowledge on viral infections and contribute to impactful research that drives new therapeutic discoveries!
Applications will be accepted until the position filled.
Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher / Project Associate – Image Regression Models for Assessing Cell Phenotypic Status in Microscopy
Location: Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Position Type: Full-time, 1-3 years, with possible extension
Job Description:
We invite applications for a highly motivated researcher with expertise in machine learning for computer vision and hands-on experience in automated microscopy instrumentation. The candidate will develop and implement image regression models to assess cellular phenotypic states from large-scale microscopy image datasets.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and validate vision ML models for phenotypic classification and regression in microscopy images
Design and optimize automated microscope setups for high-throughput parallel imaging
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including biologists and engineers
Manage and analyze large microscopy datasets
Desired Qualifications:
Education: PhD or equivalent in Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, or related fields with strong ML/vision background
Experience:
Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) and microscopy systems automation
Strong programming skills (Python, Matlab, or equivalent)
Proven track record in relevant publications or projects
Problem-solving Skills: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of troubleshooting computational and experimental challenges.
Collaborative Attitude: Enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary team and sharing scientific knowledge.
We offer:
A supportive and resource-rich research environment with cutting-edge microscopy tools
Competitive salary as per IISc norms.
Opportunities for career development and advancement.
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your research experience and interest in ML and Image Analysis applications, and contact information for two references to rahulroy@iisc.ac.in. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Applications will be accepted until the position filled.