Python Job: Junior Research Fellow (JRF)

Junior Research Fellow (JRF) position under DST-SERB funded project

Applications are invited for the position of Junior Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering at BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, Goa for DST-SERB sponsored research project titled “ Determination of the protein folding, unfolding and refolding of spike glycoprotein of SARS Corona Virus-2 in Rubik’s Cube based statistical model and study of the thermodynamic interaction and kinetic behavior of the various equilibrated conformations with receptor of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2)” DST-SERB-POWER (FILENO.SPG/2021/004541).

Objectives of the Project:

(i) Develop a Rubik’s Cube Model (RCM) based simulation technique to understand the folding, unfolding and refolding kinetics and various protein folding pathways of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV2) spike glycoprotein. (ii) Study of protein-folding dynamics of spike glycoprotein with statistical energy landscape theory (SELT) based stochastic model. (iii) Compare the similarity and dissimilarity between SELT and RCM model in details to understand the formation of various types of spike glycoprotein conformations and the efficiency of the Rubik’s Cube model. (iv) Understand the thermodynamics of molecular interaction between spike glycoprotein and the newly obtained equilibrated folded-unfolded-refolded conformations with receptor of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) Simulation and calculation of the binding energy.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Paramita Haldar
Broad area of Research: Molecular Modeling in Chemical Engineering
Duration of the project: 3 Years
Fellowship Amount (Rs.): Rs. 31,000 (1st Year and 2nd Year) and Rs. 35,000 (3rd Year)

Accommodation: Hostel accommodation will be provided subject to availability and will be governed by the rules and regulations of the Institute prevailing at the time of joining of the candidate.

Qualification (Compulsory): Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science (Physics or Chemistry or /Material Science) OR Post Graduate in Degree in Chemical Engineering or Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology or Biotechnology.

Qualification (Desired):

1. Scholars who are selected through National Eligibility Tests- CSIR –UGC NET including lectureship (Assistant Professorship) and GATE.

2. The Selection process through National level examinations conducted by central Government departments and their agencies and Institutions such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MHRD, ICAR, IIT, IISc, IISER etc.'

3. Upper Age Limit Age not exceeding 35 years as on the date of interview. Age relaxation is allowed up to 5 year for SC/ST/PH/OBC/WOMEN candidates.

Qualification (Desired): Knowledge of programming (Matlab/Fortran/Python) and Molecular Dynamics

How to Apply: Interested candidates may send current curriculum vitae with details of research experience to the principal investigator by 23rd November, 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via e-mail for online/Personal interview to be held at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus and no TA/DA will be paid for the Interview.

Selected candidate may get a chance to apply for PhD degree at BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus (Rules of PhD program for BITS Pilani are applicable)

Job Type: Contractual / Temporary
Contract length: 36 months

Salary: ₹31,000.00 - ₹35,000.00 per month

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday