PRR Project

Summary

Job Description: We are looking for a highly qualified and motivated candidate with skills that play a pivotal role in advancing our institution´s academic classes, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, relevance, and effectiveness, and providing students with an exceptional educational experience. The candidate must have thorough knowledge of cell biology and molecular biology to train graduate students. In research, the candidate will improve the scientific knowledge in the research area, namely in the field of vaccine development preventing infections with experience in bioinformatic analysis for the search of potential vaccine candidates, production of optimized proteins, testing it in animal models and assessing the vaccine-induced immune responses in animal models. Overall, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing our institutions research and academic mission. Key responsibilities include :Collaboration in the establish of research program in the fields of cell and molecular biology.Develop lesson plans, teaching materials and teaching resources to convey cell and molecular biology concepts in a clear and understandable way; create and administer assessments, exams, and laboratory work to assess students´ understanding of cell biology topics; updating course content to reflect recent scientific and technological advances but also new learning approaches and ensuring that academic programs meet standards of quality and relevance; collaborate with other professors, researchers and professionals in the field, inside and outside the institution, to promote academic collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and the development of research partnerships.Supervise graduate students, as well as young researchers in research projects’ and manage mentorship namely in the identification of vaccine candidates and development of effective preventive vaccines.Contribute to the academic community through dissemination and publication of research findings in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences.Explore opportunities for securing external funding from national and international agencies and through collaborative projects with academic & industrial partners. Engage in technology transfer initiatives.Actively participate in the development and implementation of outreach and communication activities.Develop educational outreach initiatives that inspire the next generation of scientists, and innovators. Scientific Profile:The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and attributes:PhD in Biochemistry or a related field, with background in protein bioinformatic analysis, protein engineering and expression, animal models and vaccine development. Demonstrated expertise on bioinformatic platforms, recombinant DNA technology for protein optimization, protein purification and inclusion on adequate formulations, mice immunization experiments and evaluation of cell and humoral immune responses using biochemistry related techniques.Experience in providing mentoring and training to students and young researchers at master and PhD levels, and in managing teams.Ability to deliver high-quality and inspiring talks to graduate courses, with a commitment to innovative and effective communication approaches.Demonstrated ability to lead and implement projects and manage teams to collaborate effectively with international academic and industrial partners, and to promote technology transfer activities.Strong leadership and communication skills increasing research impact and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and society engagement.Peer recognition through awards and invitation to international expert groups. Rationale:The recruitment of an Assistant Professor in Molecular Biology with focus in bioinformatics tools and recombinant DNA technology for vaccine development against infectious disease aligns with FFUP and UCIBIO strategic goals in advancing research and education.  Molecular biology is indispensable in all stages of vaccine development for infections from understanding the fundamental mechanisms of infection and immune response to the design and testing of vaccines aimed at protecting individuals. Protein engineering, expression and purification form the pillars of modern biopharmaceutical industries. The emphasis on protein analysis and engineering for improving chemical protein characteristics maintaining immunogenicity, addresses the growing demand for fast and sustainable vaccine development.  The research in “Drug Targets and Biomarkers” at FFUP/UCIBIO perfectly aligns with the research organization’s strategy and is part of UCIBIO´s “Disease Pathways and Biomarkers”.