BACKGROUND

A Senior Research Officer position is available immediately at the Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research (CPGR; http://www.cpgr.org.za) in Cape Town, South Africa, in association with the University of Cape Town node of the South African National Bioinformatics Network (http://www.cbio.uct.ac.za). The CPGR is a newly founded, world-class core technology centre funded by a $3m grant from the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa, to provide state-of-the-art services and collaborative research capabilities in the high throughput genomic and proteomic sectors. Through collaborations with leading biomedical researchers, the CPGR has a specific initial focus on functional genomic & proteomic approaches to diagnostic biomarker discovery in key African diseases such as TB, HIV-AIDS, malaria and cancers, but is also engaged in research projects in other areas such as plant biotechnology as well as allergy research.

The CPGR is a not-for-profit organization that is based in new, purpose-designed laboratories within the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town (http://www.iidmm.uct.ac.za), the leading biomedical research institute in South Africa. The CPGR is equipped for high-end mass spectrometry (ABI 4800 MALDI TOF/TOF), 2D nano-LC (Dionex), DNA/protein microarraying (Genetix QArray2), high density gene chip analysis (Affymetrix GS3000 system), microarray scanning (Genepix 4200AL), real-time PCR (ABI 7900), DNA/RNA analysis (Agilent 2100 bioanalyser), and 2D-DIGE, amongst others. Furthermore, the new South African component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (http://www.icgeb.trieste.it/RESEARCH/CapeTown.htm) will be located across the corridor from September 2007, thus enhancing the already superlative surrounding research environment.

The CPGR’s main goals are: (1) To facilitate and engage in high quality academic and industrial research in the proteomic and genomics fields in South Africa; (2) To stimulate new biotech activity through translation of academic research into new intellectual property and/or biomedical applications; (3) To enable existing biotech companies to explore and grow in new areas of commercial opportunity in the fields of genomics and proteomics; & (4) To increase the number of suitably trained graduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists in the biotech sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful applicant will be specifically responsible for the application of statistical and data-mining techniques in the design and analysis of microarray and high throughput proteomics experiments carried out at the CPGR, as well as for establishing and maintaining a suitable LIMS database, amongst others. The position includes the opportunity to develop new research projects independently or in collaboration with other researchers in both universities and the biotech industry.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will preferably have a formal qualification in bioinformatics, applied mathematics or statistics at Masters level or higher and will be expected to have good computer programming skills.

PREFERENCES

Previous experience in microarray or proteomic experimental design and data analysis, including knowledge of R and Bioconductor, will be advantageous.

TERMS

As a not-for-profit company, salary packages are based on university pay scales but are negotiable. Cape Town and the Western Cape offer an exceptional lifestyle and the costs of living are substantially lower than in Europe or the US so the quality of life is excellent!

LOCALE

Cape Town, South Africa

COMPENSATION

Negotiable.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a short cover letter and c.v. together with the names and contact details of two referees to Dr Reinhard Hiller. Applications will be accepted by email , fax (+27 21 406 6126) or post (Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research, c/o Institute of Infectious Disease & Molecular Medicine, Wolfson Pavilion Level 3, UCT Faculty Of Health Sciences, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa).

DEADLINE

27 July 2007