Research Scientist, CBR Biomarker Centre of Excellence (Multiple positions)

Job category

Academia

Job location

India

Job type

Workplace type

Job description

The Centre for Brain Research (cbr-iisc.ac.in) at the Indian Institute of Science has embarked on a unique collaborative endeavour - a Biomarker Centre of Excellence in partnership with the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and with support from Gates Ventures. This ambitious initiative aims to establish a sophisticated platform for the discovery and validation of neurodegenerative disease biomarkers. In addition to plasma biomarkers, the Centre will also explore digital biomarkers to build a more comprehensive understanding of disease onset and progression. A unique strength of this Centre of Excellence is that it will function under the scientific guidance of Professor Henrik Zetterberg (UK DRI and University of Gothenburg), a globally recognised pioneer in biomarker research, and Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK DRI, both of whom are Visiting Faculty Members at CBR. The Centre will integrate the state-of-the-art in fluid biomarker assays, high-throughput proteomics, and AI-driven analytics with unique, diverse cohorts from India and the UK in order to accelerate breakthroughs in early diagnosis. It will foster cross-institutional partnerships, training, and knowledge exchange to build capacity and advance global brain health research. The Research Scientist will join the multidisciplinary team at the CBR Biomarker Centre of Excellence to advance discovery and validation of fluid biomarkers relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. The role will entail designing and conducting experiments, analysing large-scale biomarker data, and collaborating closely with national and international partners. The Research Scientist will also contribute to maintaining high scientific and quality standards within the Centre and play an active role in capacity building, knowledge exchange, and dissemination of research findings. This position will report to the Lead, Biomarker Centre of Excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement experiments focused on proteomics, immunoassays, and other fluid biomarker technologies • Contribute to data analysis and interpretation, including integration with clinical and imaging data from large-scale cohort studies • Maintain rigorous documentation and adhere to established standard operating procedures and quality control protocols • Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, including neuroscience, clinical research, data science, and engineering • Participate in joint projects and regular scientific discussions with UK Dementia Research Institute and other international partners • Foster strong linkages with international networks and maintain active engagement with the UK DRI Fluid Biomarker Lab to ensure global alignment and collaborative growth • Present research findings at internal and external meetings; contribute to high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals • Assist with procurement, equipment maintenance, and coordination of research activities within the Centre • Contribute proactively to the broader vision of CBR, including capacity-building, outreach, and public engagement initiatives.

Requirements:

Essential qualifications • PhD in proteomics, biomarker research, molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, or a related field • Demonstrated research expertise in proteomic technologies (e.g., mass spectrometry, immunoassays) and biomarker data analysis • Proficiency in data handling and statistical analysis relevant to biomarker research • Strong publication record in relevant peer-reviewed journals • Commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research and ability to work effectively in a team Desirable qualifications • Experience working with large-scale, multi-centric projects/clinical or cohort datasets • Knowledge in AI or machine learning methods applied to biomarker data • Familiarity with biobanking protocols and data governance standards

Compensation:

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience • Access to world-class research infrastructure and cross-institutional training opportunities • Direct engagement and collaboration with UK DRI researchers, Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), and other leaders in biomarker science and neurodegeneration research • Opportunity to interface with the Indian Institute of Science’s vibrant, interdisciplinary research ecosystem spanning engineering, life sciences, and data science • Support for overall professional development and participation in scientific meetings and conferences • Additional benefits as per CBR policies.