PREAMBLE

The Africa Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology is seeking to fill in a position for the execution of two projects. The Centre is seeking to recruit a research assistant to support sample processing, documentation, and protocol development for 3 years.

PROJECT 1

Sickle cell reticulocyte transcriptome project: This project will entail a focus on fetal hemoglobin expression during development and maturation of red blood cells (RBCs) with a bid to characterizing F cells in sickle cell disease using single cell transcriptomics. This exciting project includes laboratory and computational studies and will be based primarily in the Department of Biochemistry and the Africa Center of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Disease and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Research collaborations exists with opportunities for international training. Project duration is 2 years.

PROJECT 2

African materno-fetal system project: This project will entail a focus on the African materno-fetal system at single cell resolution. This exciting project includes laboratory, field and computational studies. Primary site of the research will be the Department of Biochemistry and the Africa Center of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Disease and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Research collaborations exists with opportunities for international training. Project duration is 3 years.

REQUIREMENTS

The Research Assistant will be responsible to support the PI research activities with human cell isolation from tissues, cell imaging, and preparation of single cell libraries. The research assistant will also be responsible for supporting the project with molecular research protocol development

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

** Support tissue sample collection from patient donors

** Prepare single cell libraries from samples

** Maintain and develop protocols for human cell imaging and documentation

** Support research data management and analysis

** Assist researchers with mining and analysis of diverse private and public databases

** Contribute to scientific presentations and publications

** Provide cell biology methods training to research

** Communicate research data to diverse audience.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

** Candidates with PhD/MSc in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or related fields

** Candidates with a PhD or MSc in Anatomy, Physiology or Pharmacology with strong experience in molecular biology research are strongly encouraged to apply

** The candidate must have strong communication and writing skills in English.

In addition, interested candidates should...

** Be a highly motivated individual interested in pursuing rigorous developmental biology research.

** Be a person of integrity and have an eye for details.

** Have prior research experience in molecular and cell biology research as well as, computational/bioinformatics research experience with evidence of publications in reputable online journals.

** Be able to use R for data analysis and graphics.

** Experience with microscopic imaging will be an additional plus.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Application forms can be downloaded online at https://acentdfb.org/phd-fellowship/ Interested applicants should send their completed application documents in an email titled “Research Assistant - Application_CZI 2022” to idowuaimola@gmail.com and copy to acentdfb@gmail.com. Applications from under-represented researchers are strongly encouraged. Applicants with MBBS degree interested in pursuing an MSc biochemistry or biotechnology or exceptional candidates coming directly from BSc studies may be considered. For further inquiries please contact Ibrahim B. Sani (+2348069141217). Applications should be addressed and sent to the below address.

 The Centre Leader,
Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected 
Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria.
                             

Note: Application for this position closes on December 31st, 2023.