Funded By

DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance

Type

Fellowship

Website

indiaalliance.org/phase-iii/co… →

Profile

The DBT/ WT India Alliance (India Alliance) Early Career Fellowship (ECF) is a mentored programme for outstanding recently qualified graduates or those with short postdoctoral experience, and is designed to support their transition to independence. It offers a unique opportunity to make an early start while basing a research programme in India, to pursue an independent research question.

Applicants are expected to have:

• Started to make significant, demonstrable contributions in their area of research, in the form of substantial publications, patents, software, etc.
• Identified an important and original biomedical research question, the scope of which should be broader than that of a typical postdoctoral position.
• Identified an appropriate Fellowship Supervisor and Host Institution based in India.
• Identified an appropriate group outside the Host Institution based anywhere in the world, including India, to conduct part of the ECF research project as ‘Work Outside Host Institution’.

This programme offers a unique opportunity of training in more than one location, and this provision must be integrated into the proposed project.

Duration

This competition accepts proposals in biomedical research with clearly articulated goals and outcomes over the 5 year period.

Qualifications

• Entered the final year of PhD or with a maximum of 4 years (*note the exception for Round-1) of post-PhD research experience at the time of submission of the full application.
• Experience is calculated from the date of the PhD viva voce/defence of the thesis, to the full application submission deadline. Due regard is given to non-research career breaks as long as the total post-PhD research experience does not exceed the maximum limit.
• Applicants holding a postgraduate medical degree (MD/MS/equivalent) or a postgraduate degree in public health (MPH) may also apply, provided the proposal is in basic biomedical research. Otherwise, CPHE guidelines apply. Research experience must not exceed 4 years* post the qualifying degree (MD/MS/MPH).
• A regular position in India is not required.
• There is no age or nationality bar. However, the research has to be based in a Host Institution in India.
• The PhD thesis supervisor cannot serve as the Fellowship Supervisor for the Early Career Fellowship.

To Apply

For more details click here

Attending the Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM) for the first time as an organiser (and never as an investigator) offered a perspective that was different from reading past reports or hearing about the meeting from colleagues.

YIM 2026 was hosted at the Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, in collaboration with Symbiosis Centre for Research and Innovation (SCRI). The meeting was co-organised by a team of faculty members from institutions across India, who worked with IndiaBioscience to shape the programme and discussions. Their involvement reflects the collaborative spirit within the life science community that has characterised YIM and IndiaBioscience since its inception.

Over five days in Pune, what stood out for me was not only the formal programme of talks and discussions, but also the quieter conversations unfolding in corridors, during coffee breaks, and at shared tables. YIM has been less about the sequence of sessions and more about creating a space where early-career investigators candidly shared the uncertainties of building independent careers, while mentors reflected on their own journeys through the ecosystem.

A space for community building and mentorship for early-career researchers

The 18th edition of IndiaBioscience’s annual flagship Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM) concluded earlier this month in Pune (2–6 March 2026). Now close to two decades old, YIM has become a space where early-career life science researchers come together to reflect on the challenges of building independent research careers and to find mentorship from across the scientific ecosystem.

Over the years, recurring themes at YIM have ranged from framing strong research questions and identifying funding opportunities to navigating institutional hiring systems, mentoring PhD students, and balancing professional and personal milestones. Mentorship at the meeting emerges from many directions - senior scientists, institutional leaders, peers working in different disciplines, and professionals from sectors beyond academia. Each edition of the meeting adds around 80 investigators to the growing YIM community, which now includes more than 1,400 researchers across India and abroad.

The continued relevance of the meeting reflects a simple reality: while the ecosystem of life sciences in India has evolved, the need for spaces where early-career researchers can openly discuss career uncertainties and opportunities remains constant.

For many participants, YIM has led to collaborations, mentoring relationships, and professional connections that extend long after the meeting ends.

A diverse community of researchers

YIM 2026 brought together a wide cross-section of the life sciences community. Forty Young Investigators from 39 institutions across India and 35 postdoctoral fellows from 34 institutions in eight countries outside India were selected to participate. They were joined by nine mentors, mid- to senior-career researchers from academia representing diverse research backgrounds, along with speakers from government agencies, industry, science funding organisations, research management, science engagement, and policy.

Institutional representatives from 18 institutions also participated, sharing insights into their research programmes and outlining faculty hiring practices and career development opportunities within their institutions.

This diversity of institutions, geographies, and disciplinary expertise is a deliberate feature of the meeting’s design. Participants included researchers working across molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary areas that intersect with policy and public engagement. The aim is not simply to gather early-career scientists in one place but to expose them to the range of environments in which scientific careers unfold.

Mentorship is central to YIM's design

Rather than relying solely on formal talks, the meeting is structured to create multiple opportunities for conversation between participants and mentors.

Structured sessions introduce researchers to key themes, including funding opportunities, leadership, and career development. These are complemented by breakout group discussions and informal networking breaks, where participants can ask candid questions about navigating the early stages of academic life. Such exchanges often draw on the lived experiences of mentors and speakers, who reflect on the challenges they faced while building research programmes, securing funding, and managing teams.

Our rapporteurs captured several of these conversations during the breakout discussions. In one room, participants deliberated on how to sustain research momentum when infrastructure, administrative support, or institutional facilities are limited. Mentors underscored collaboration, networking, and resource-sharing as practical strategies in such situations. When experiments stall, they suggested that literature reviews, journal clubs, and computational work can help sustain productivity. Celebrating small milestones was recommended as a way to maintain morale within research groups, while internships and short-term projects can re-energise students facing dips in motivation. Administrative delays, participants were reminded, often require persistence and constructive engagement with institutional leadership, particularly when researchers can demonstrate how their work benefits the broader institutional ecosystem.

A more detailed report on the breakout room discussions will follow.

Several speakers also reflected on how personal aspirations and institutional realities together shape scientific careers. Anna Barron spoke about establishing the Singapore Brain Bank in 2018 and the challenges of building research infrastructure while navigating cultural assumptions about brain donation. Manjari Jain described the balancing act of academic life, where teaching responsibilities, committee work, and administrative duties can limit time in the field. Mohan Balasubramanian reflected on a different kind of decision: choosing not to switch research areas during his postdoctoral years and instead pursuing a single scientific question - what mechanism generates the force required to divide a cell into two - for more than three decades.

Taken together, these reflections offered participants pragmatic advice on navigating uncertainty and working within institutional constraints. Many speakers emphasised that collaboration and supportive networks are often critical to sustaining scientific work over the long term.

The design of YIM allows these conversations to continue beyond the formal programme. Informal discussions during meals and networking breaks frequently become spaces where early-career researchers exchange experiences about grant writing, laboratory management, and the realities of establishing independent research programmes.

Conversations shaping early-career research

Across the five days of discussions, several themes emerged that reflect the evolving landscape of life sciences research in India.

One major focus was the funding ecosystem for early-career researchers. Representatives from national and international funding organisations discussed fellowship schemes, collaborative grants, and emerging translational funding models. These sessions emphasised the importance of clear research questions, well-designed collaborations, and careful proposal preparation in navigating competitive funding environments.

Our detailed report on the sessions on life science funding to follow.

Another recurring theme was the increasing importance of interdisciplinary and translational research. Speakers from academia, industry, and policy backgrounds discussed how scientific discoveries move from the laboratory to real-world applications. Conversations highlighted both the opportunities and the structural barriers to translating fundamental discoveries into technologies or therapies. Praveen Vemula, in his mentor talk, emphasised that impactful translation depends on choosing unmet clinical problems, fostering multidisciplinary teams, enabling collaborations, and sustaining funding within a supportive ecosystem.

Panel discussions also explored the evolving relationship between academia and industry. Participants examined how startups and collaborative partnerships can help bridge gaps between discovery and application, while also addressing practical issues such as intellectual property, funding strategies, and the role of academic researchers in entrepreneurial ventures.

Research integrity and open science emerged as another important topic. As India’s research output continues to expand, speakers discussed the importance of maintaining trust and transparency in the research process. Open data, shared research resources, and the responsible use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, were identified as critical components of a healthy research ecosystem.

The meeting also highlighted the growing role of science engagement and science policy. Speakers working in public engagement described their motivations, indicating how researchers can contribute to public understanding of science, participate in policy discussions, and connect scientific knowledge with societal challenges. These conversations underscored that scientific careers today often extend beyond the laboratory into broader public and policy contexts.

Career pathways and institutional ecosystems

An important component of YIM is the opportunity for participants to interact with institutional leaders and learn about faculty hiring practices and research environments across India.

Representatives from 18 academic and research institutions presented their research programmes, infrastructure, and recruitment processes, providing participants with insights into how institutions evaluate potential faculty members and support early-career researchers. These sessions also highlighted the diversity of institutional models across the country, from traditional research institutes to emerging interdisciplinary programmes and translational research centres.

As participants were paired with smaller groups of representatives over mentorship circles, the interactions offered a practical view of how research ecosystems operate, including expectations around teaching, funding acquisition, collaboration, and research leadership from early investigators.

Our report on the PDF Satellite Meeting is to follow.

Strengthening the early-career research ecosystem

As the life sciences ecosystem in India continues to expand, platforms like YIM play an important role in connecting researchers at a formative stage in their careers.

The meeting provides a space for early-career scientists to openly discuss the uncertainties of building research programmes while gaining exposure to opportunities across academia, industry, policy, and science engagement. By bringing together researchers from diverse institutions and disciplines, YIM also helps build a network that can support collaboration and collective learning within the community.

Eighteen years after its inception, the continued growth of the YIM community reflects the enduring need for such spaces. While the research landscape evolves, the fundamental questions early-career scientists face about mentorship, funding, collaboration, and institutional culture remain strikingly similar across generations.

For many participants, the most valuable outcome of the meeting is not only the knowledge shared during the sessions but the relationships formed through these conversations. As the YIM community continues to grow, these connections remain central to strengthening the broader life sciences ecosystem in India.

NIMHANS

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Engagement

Contract

Hours

Full-time

Profile

NIMHANS is conducting WALK-IN-SELECTION for filling the up post of “Project Aassociate” for the project entitled “Cross-disorder approach to delineate the roles of neuro inflammation in early-onset psychiatric conditions” funded by the MQTMH: MQ: Transforming Mental Health, under Dr. Ashitha S N M, Assistant Professor and MQ Fellow, Department of Psychiatry & Principal Investigator, NIMHANS, Bengaluru-560029.

Maximum Age Limit: 35 years

Duration

6 months, contractual, extension is contingent on the performance of the Candidate (up to the end of the project period i.e., 29th December 2027).

Money

Rs. 42,000/- (consolidated)

Qualifications

Post Graduate Degree in Life Sciences / Post Graduate Degree in Professional course (M-Tech) in Biological Sciences / Biotechnology

Experience

At least one year of research experience.

Desirable: Preference will be given to the candidate with prior experience/interest in neurodevelopmental research. Also, knowledge in Western Blot, qPCR, Immunocytochemistry Staining techniques, iPSCs or mammalian stem cells and neuroscience and imaging techniques.

To Apply

NOC from the Principal Investigator if working in projects (Extramural/Intramural) in NIMHANS

The desirous candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned above are advised to appear for a walk-in cum written test with their Resume and Testimonials/Educational documents in original, as well as a set of photocopies. For any inquiries about the interview, please contact us at [email protected]

Date & time: 24/03/2026 at 10:30 am

Venue: Board Room and Exam Hall, Academic Section 4th Floor, NBRC Building, opposite to NIMHANS Library, Bengaluru 560029.,

Note: The candidates are required to register their names half an hour before the commencement of the written/skill test.

No TA/DA will be paid for attending the written/skill test.

Venture Center

Pune, Maharashtra

Engagement

Permanent

Hours

Full-time

Website

venturecenter.co.in/jobs/detai… →

Apply Online

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Profile

Venture Center is seeking a highly motivated Biotechnology Engineer (PhD preferred) with 0–2 years of relevant experience in microbial bioprocessing. The ideal candidate should demonstrate hands-on expertise in handling bacterial, yeast, actinomycete, and fungal strains, and must be proficient in operating bench-top fermenters (1 L to 100 L). The role involves end-to-end responsibility for fermentation studies—including inoculum preparation, bioreactor operations in batch/fed-batch/continuous modes, scale-up studies, downstream processing, and associated analytical work.

• Independently handle microbial cultures (bacteria, yeast, actinomycetes, fungi) from shake flask to fermenter scale.
• Perform inoculum preparation, fermentation runs (batch, fed-batch, continuous), and monitor critical process parameters.
• Operate and troubleshoot bench-top fermenters ranging from 1 L to 100 L.
• Execute scale-up studies and support technology transfer activities.
• Ensure compliance with CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilization-in-Place) protocols for fermenters.
• Participate in downstream processing, including recovery and purification of target molecules.
• Conduct biochemical and analytical assays such as sugar profiling, amino acid profiling, fatty acids/fatty alcohols estimation, protein quantification, SDS-PAGE, and related methods.
• Perform analytical method development for novel molecules or bioprocess intermediates.
• Document experimental protocols, batch records, and technical reports accurately.
• Adhere to safety standards, GLP/GMP practices, and organizational quality systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including process engineering, analytical sciences, and product development.

This role offers significant exposure to end-to-end bioprocess development, scale-up operations, and translational research. The candidate will gain opportunities to grow into leadership roles in Process Development, Scale-up Engineering, or Manufacturing Operations within the organization.

Qualifications

• M.Tech in Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, or related field.
• PhD in Biotechnology/related discipline preferred.

Experience

• 0–2 years of relevant experience in microbial fermentation and downstream processing (academic or industry).
• Proficiency in microbial strain handling (bacteria, yeast, actinomycete, fungi).
• Hands-on experience with fermenters (1–100 L), including CIP & SIP operations.
• Knowledge of fermentation modes: batch, fed-batch, continuous.
• Basic understanding of downstream processing techniques.
• Familiarity with analytical methods: sugar analysis, biopolymer assays, fatty acid/fatty alcohol profiling, amino acid analysis, protein characterization, SDS-PAGE.
• Ability to develop and validate analytical methods.
• Behavioral Competencies:

1. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
2. Attention to detail with strong documentation practices.
3. Team player with effective communication skills.
4. Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute in a start-up/scale-up environment.

To Apply

For more details click here

Philosophy is written in that great book which is the universe, and it cannot be understood unless one first learns the language in which it is written. It is written in the language of mathematics, and its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures”.

— Galileo Galilei

Long before mathematics became a technical discipline, numbers occupied a far deeper place in human thought. Across civilizations and philosophical traditions, numerical order was not merely calculated but contemplated. From Pythagoras’ conviction that numbers underlie harmony and form, to Platonic and Neoplatonic reflections on intelligibility, to theological traditions that discerned in numerical order a trace of divine reason, numbers consistently crossed the boundaries between science, philosophy, and religion.

This vision was later broadened rather than diminished by mathematical developments that moved beyond rigid Euclidean forms. The emergence of fractal geometry, with its recursive patterns and scale-dependent order, along with Fibonacci sequences and the golden ratio in growth processes, challenged purely linear and reductionist accounts of form. These structures suggested that mathematics could describe not only static objects, but processes of dynamic becoming—growth, proportion, and self-organisation.

Yet in modern education and practice, mathematics is often encountered as a lifeless technique: an instrument of calculation rather than a mode of perception. The quiet persistence of constants and patterns across nature, however, continues to invite an older intuition—that number does not merely measure reality, but reveals the intelligible order through which it unfolds.

From the stripes of zebras and the spots of giraffes to the rhythm of the human heart, from planetary orbits to quantum oscillations, disparate natural phenomena are governed by shared mathematical constraints. Wherever space curves or cycles close, the constant π appears—an infinite, non-repeating number whose universality transcends scale and substance.

π is rarely defined, though it is endlessly used. In schools, it is introduced as a convenient constant for calculating areas, volumes, and circumferences, as though it were merely a tool of mensuration. Yet π is not fundamentally about measurement. It is the constant relationship between straightness and curvature—the ratio that emerges whenever linear extension bends into enclosure. Wherever space closes upon itself, π appears.

What makes this constant extraordinary is not only its universality, but its nature: π is irrational, infinite, and non-repeating. It has no final digit, no terminating form, no complete representation. No matter how advanced our computational power becomes, π cannot be exhausted, because it is not a quantity to be completed but a structure that never resolves. Within its endless sequence, every finite pattern is expected to arise—not by design, but by necessity—making π a mathematical object that is at once precise, inexhaustible, and deeply enigmatic.

Once π is understood as a constant governing curvature rather than a mere tool of measurement, its pervasive presence in physics becomes unsurprising. Wherever forces radiate, fields propagate, or symmetry is expressed in space, π emerges naturally within the mathematical form of physical laws—from Newtonian gravitation to electromagnetism, wave mechanics, and quantum field theory. This recurrence does not indicate coincidence, but necessity: physical reality unfolds in curved, continuous space, and π is the invariant ratio that such space demands.

What is more unexpected, however, is that this same constant reappears not only in the abstractions of physics, but in the formation of living forms themselves. When Alan Turing turned his attention to biological morphogenesis, he showed that the emergence of stripes, spots, and spatial patterns in organisms could be described by reaction–diffusion equations whose solutions are constrained by geometry and curvature. In this moment, π crossed a conceptual boundary—from governing the structure of space and force to quietly shaping the visible architecture of life.

When π reappears in biological morphogenesis, it does so not as a numerical curiosity but as a structural constraint that governs how form may arise. In reaction–diffusion systems, pigmentation does not assemble arbitrarily; it stabilises into stripes, spots, and bands whose spacing and closure are constrained by curvature, growth, and enclosure. π does not dictate the pattern, but it tunes the space in which pattern becomes possible. As bodies grow and surfaces curve, global geometry filters local chemical interactions, allowing order to emerge without prescribing sameness. The result is a striking synthesis: species-level regularity alongside individual-level uniqueness. No two organisms share identical patterns, yet none escape the same geometric laws.

π is also woven into biological periodicity. It appears in mathematical descriptions of oscillatory processes such as cell-division timing, cardiac rhythms, respiratory cycles, and circadian clocks governing sleep–wake behaviour. Across scales, from cellular dynamics to organismal physiology, π recurs wherever cyclicity, resonance, and enclosure intersect.

Taken together, the role of π in biological form suggests that life unfolds within a mathematically intelligible order—one that precedes and exceeds blind randomness. This order does not impose rigid outcomes, nor does it require interventionist design. Rather, it renders form possible through lawful constraint, allowing order and individuality to arise together. π thus reveals a world that is not merely calculable, but meaningfully structured: a world in which life arises not by accident alone, but within an intelligible geometry that quietly governs how form comes to be.

The artist who renders visual form from mathematical formulae does not translate mathematics into art so much as reveal what is already latent within it. The equations do not instruct the artist what to draw; they constrain what can appear. In a similar way, biological morphogenesis does not encode π as information, nor does it calculate geometry in any conscious sense. Life instantiates π because it unfolds within continuous, curved space governed by abstract constraint. Yet instantiation itself implies something prior—a field of intelligibility that precedes material expression.

Plato recognised this when he argued that forms are not created but participated in. Augustine echoed the same intuition in a theological register, insisting that numbers are not human inventions but eternal truths. Whether expressed philosophically or theologically, the claim is the same: mathematics is not a language we merely devised to describe the world, but a structure through which the world becomes describable at all.

In this light, nature does not invent mathematical order; it realises abstract potentiality. Biology, like art, gives visible form to an intelligible order that was already there.

Once upon a time…

In the Autumn of 1944, the world was expecting the end of bloodshed that had been occurring for the past five years. The Allied Forces had invaded France and were advancing towards Hitler’s Germany. With these developments, the general public was anticipating normalcy any time from then. The grocer who had become an artilleryman could go back to his store and the physicist who worked on bombs could go back to his studies on water droplets.

In the midst of this, a young physiologist named Alan Hodgkin was working with the allied forces on the effect of altitude on the human body to design better aircraft. Before the war began, his Roman Empire was the nerve in the thigh of frogs. Utilising the frog sciatic nerve as a model, he used to study the electrical impulses transmitted in the nerves. With the end of the War in sight, he was released from military service and summoned back to Cambridge under the influence of an aristocratic electrophysiologist and Nobel Laureate, The Lord Adrian to continue his work on biophysics. Subsequently, in 1952, Hodgkin, along with his collaborator Andrew Huxley, published a series of 5 papers which elaborated, mathematically, the workings of electricity inside living tissues, building on years of experimental data. They eventually won the Nobel Prize in 1963. What did they show? Their model showed how neurons behave while firing. This firing is fundamental for everything that our brain does from emotions to intellect.

Today

Fast forward 80 years, the same excitement on nerve excitability is being shared by a group of Indian Nanotechnologists working in Mohali who have developed a brand new way to tap the potential of neuronal excitability to treat debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, using a semiconductor. The same class of materials that make up our phones are now changing brain chemistry (in a good way, unlike phones!). Researchers used graphitic carbon nitride to understand how they might affect neuronal modulation. The results were so multifaceted that they defy a singular, linear narrative of explanation.

Brainology

All cells maintain an electrical gradient around them. This potential is created by a bunch of ions like sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium. A rule of thumb is that the outside of a cell, or the water in which the cell floats, is like sea water - abundant in sodium, chloride, and calcium. On the other hand, the inside of a cell has an abundance of potassium ions.

The influx of calcium ions into the cell from the outside is fundamental for changes in neuronal membrane potential to occur. This influx happens through tiny tubes. These tubes have gates guarding them so that too much or too little ions don't enter. Whenever there is a change in potential around the cells, the floodgates of these tubes open, allowing vast amounts of calcium to enter the cell.

Once so much calcium enters inside, the simpleton ion transforms itself into a polymath. Aiding hormone synthesis? Check. Genetic regulation? Check. Muscle contraction? Check. Growth? Check. When calcium is known to play such a central role inside the cell, it should be of no surprise that this attracts researchers around the globe, and public attention, for at least the past 40 years.

Mohali goes nano

The scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST)tested the potential of carbon nitride nanosheets both in cell cultures and in living worms.

In cell cultures, over a period of 21 days, nerve cells showed increased differentiation and formed more outgrowths. What was happening in parallel (or driving it) was an increase in calcium influx into the cells. How do we know that calcium is doing the work here? For the above-mentioned processes, dopamine is required inside the cells. To synthesise dopamine cells use a whole arsenal of molecular machines which in turn require calcium to function. The scientists found out that there is an increased concentration of molecular machines inside the cell, which confirmed that the graphite carbon nitride was playing its role.

To test the nanomaterial's impact on living cells, they used a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans. It is considered as the workhorse of genetics. It has a bunch of unique properties such as easy to grow, short life span, limited number of cells which makes it ideal for genetic research. It was observed that carbon nitride nanosheets prevented some protein blobs from forming inside the cells. This kind of aggregation of protein blobs is implicated in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, which wreak havoc in patients’ and their loved ones’ lives. This feature of the nanomaterial holds immense promise in devising treatment methods for these diseases in the future.

Bio-hacking

The impact of this development is not limited to medical advantage. An idea in vogue among Biotech bros and nerds is the concept of Biocomputing, with brain tissue performing computations, replacing, or aiding machines. This research in Mohali has the potential to improve the function of brain tissue as a biological processor. This is an area where the boundaries between the biological mind and technological machine get blurred, and important ethical questions such as machine consciousness emerge, but that's a topic for another day.

The idea of compounds altering brain function isn't new. Drugs do exactly that. We have been cracking open the brain up and changing its structure safely for at least 120 years. So what's new here? The material used here is a biocompatible semiconductor. This is where the “brain stuff” and “phone stuff”, for the lack of better term, get blended, and create a novel junction point around which medical and machinist revolutions can pivot around. That India is at the centre of this research signals the pace at which Indian scientific ideas and capabilities are advancing.

Venture Center

Pune, Maharashtra

Engagement

Permanent

Hours

Full-time

Apply Online

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI… →

Profile

• Assist in the running of Bio Lab at Venture Center
• Assist in establishing bioassays for characterizing biosimilars and biotherapeutics such as ADCC, CDC, neutralisation, cell proliferation, cell death, and cytokine release assay. This includes handling relevant equipment such as plate readers, flow cytometer, assays in 384-well microplate format¸ data analysis and report preparation.
• Assist in establishing the lab with GLP standards & Venture Center's EHS policy
• Assist in organizing technical workshops with demos & hands-on sessions
• Contribute to building scientific support systems and resources for our Scientific Services, VC incubatees, including specific expertise and library.
• Contribute to expanding service offerings
• Assist with procurement of reagents and equipment

Qualifications

Postgraduate in Life Sciences (preferably Microbiology/Biotechnology)

Experience

• Minimum experience of 1-2 years is required. Prior experience in handling flow cytometer and confocal microscope will be preferred.
• Should have an orientation suitable for hands-on lab experiments and interest in engaging with inventors/ entrepreneurs etc in a service mode.
• Very strong interest and skills in hands-on work in lab management, equipment handling and maintenance of the same. Interest, orientation, willingness to learn, ability to learn fast will be more important than detailed prior experience.
• Should have strong basic training in sciences; ability to quickly grasp inventions/ technology, visualize them and assess them
• Will be expected to be a self-starter who can work with minimum supervision and efficiently deliver project goals.
• Must possess strong communication skills, especially in the context of the proposed training programs.
• Shop-floor management experience including for safety, user training, attention to details etc will be useful.
• Skills required: Be hands-on with equipment/ instruments, methods, building processes etc; Needs to be a people person who can engage with others; Teaching/ mentoring talent.

To Apply

For more details click https://www.venturecenter.co.i...

Bio-responsibility Future Leaders Programme (BFLP) is a part-time training and upskilling programme to advance responsible life science research and innovation in India.

Scope of the programme:

The programme defines bio-responsibility as a set of practices adapted to ensure safe, secure and responsible use of life science research. The topics covered under this programme include (but not limited to) issues related to research involving AI-Biology interface, synthetic biology, neurotechnology, human augmentation, cyber-biosecurity, dual-use research, gain-of-function research, permafrost-associated pathogens, etc.

Over time, the programme will expand into a broader network of trained professionals.

This network will strive to understand the technical and policy intricacies to develop policy solutions towards achieving holistic bio-responsibility without impeding innovation. Community engagement activities will be conducted to keep the participant network active and facilitate mentor-mentee engagements over time. An online resource directory would also be developed to support professionals interested in learning and contributing to this area.

Programme overview:

The participants will be expected to participate in two in-person events in the year:

1. A workshop combined with a national high-level policy roundtable involving established national experts and policymakers (up to 3 days)
2. A participant symposium/workshop combined with an international conference to facilitate global engagement among established experts and the participants. (up to 3 days)

The expenses for in-person participation will be supported under the programme. Additionally, online policy talks, information sessions, and community engagement will be organised to keep the participants updated about the latest developments related to bio-responsibility. Participants will also be provided an opportunity to prepare policy briefs that address emerging bio-responsibility challenges. These policy briefs will be published and hosted on the project webpage and may be used to communicate bio-responsibility policy solutions.

Why apply:

• Learn and develop expertise in historical, technical, policy, regulatory and global governance aspects of safe, secure and responsible life science research and innovation.
• Contribute to building national capacity in this area through active engagement in policy roundtables and workshops.
• Network and connect with leading national and global experts from governments, academia, industry, and civil society.
• Develop an understanding of current national and global priorities in bio-responsibility.
• Learn about career development opportunities.
• Receive a certificate upon completion of the programme.

Eligibility:

• An Indian citizen residing in India
• Under 40 years old at the time of the application deadline
• Currently full-time employed
• Master’s degree in life sciences or other relevant areas (including social sciences)
• Demonstrated interest in safe, secure and responsible life science research and innovation

Early career professionals, including Post-docs, biosafety officers, assistant professors, government officials, scientists in national labs and industry professionals, are encouraged to apply. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged.

Intake: 5-8 participants will be inducted into the programme.

Application Process:

Fill the Application Form using the link below: https://forms.gle/Q4Hm3HAK56aC...

Application Deadline: 22 March 2026

Read more about the Bio-responsibility Project at the Indian Institute of Science, here: https://csp.iisc.ac.in/bio-res...

Note: It is a part-time programme and does not provide a full-time stipend or salary. It only provides (travel, accommodation, ground transport and meals) support for participants to attend two in-person events at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. An honorarium will be provided to the participants for accepted policy briefs. The programme will also provide relevant knowledge and technical support to the selected participants.

From a healthy cell to a cancer cell

Every cell holds an instruction manual in the form of DNA — a blueprint that guides it to function, grow, and divide in an orderly fashion by producing the right proteins. However, the very ability of cells to grow and replicate comes with a cost. DNA, though resilient to changes, can sometimes be altered. These changes, or mutations, may result in faulty proteins that disrupt normal cell function.

The odds of a DNA sequence getting mutated are about 1 in 100,000. Fortunately, our cells are equipped with highly efficient DNA repair systems that quickly fix most errors. Damaged cells are often destroyed by the body’s own defense mechanisms. But on rare occasions, defective cells escape detection, multiply, and form an abnormal mass — a tumour.

A tumour becomes dangerous when it grows large enough to press on vital organs. If it invades nearby tissues, taking up space and consuming nutrients, and spreads to other parts of the body, it is classified as cancer.

The primary triggers for changes in the DNA and thus cancer can be environmental, biological, or lifestyle-related. Prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke, harmful radiation, or toxic chemicals can damage the DNA. Certain viral infections can also introduce mutations. An unhealthy lifestyle and chronic stress further strain the body, making DNA more vulnerable. Often, it’s a combination of these factors that sets cancer in motion.

Immunity against cancer

Our body is naturally equipped to defend against invading pathogens and other harmful agents, an ability known as immunity. This defense system is a highly coordinated, complex network of cells and molecules that detect and eliminate threats, keeping us healthy. It constantly performs surveillance, scanning for anything unusual. This same immune system is capable of detecting cancer cells. Those with weak immune systems have a higher risk of developing cancers.

When a healthy cell turns cancerous, it displays special signals called tumour-associated antigens like ID tags, that warn and activate immune cells. For example, specialized fighter cells such as Natural Killer cells and T cells can recognize and destroy these tagged cells.

But cancer is a master of trickery. Over time, these sneaky cells evolve and learn multiple tactics to evade detection, hiding from the immune system for years before they resurface. This ability to adapt and survive is a trait rooted in evolution itself, that explains why cancer can recur even after treatments.

How do cancer cells evade the immune response?

One way cancer cells disguise themselves as normal cells, is by producing protein markers of normal cells in abundance. These false cues can confuse immune cells, exhaust them, creating physical barriers that prevent an effective attack.

Another strategy is the formation of a protective shield known as the tumour micro-environment. This specialised environment shelters cancer cells and blocks immune cells from infiltrating or recognizing them. As a consequence, immune surveillance is weakened, and tumour cells can thrive unchecked.

Adding to their defense, research shows that some cancer cells can steal mitochondria—the energy-producing powerhouses of cells, from T cells. This deprives the T cells of the energy they need, rendering them ineffective and reducing the body’s anti-tumour immunity.

Such advanced escape mechanisms employed by cancer cells have pushed scientists to develop newer treatment strategies. While traditional approaches such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy aim to directly remove or destroy cancer cells, modern immunotherapies are designed to reawaken and empower the immune system, enabling it to combat a wide range of cancers more effectively.

Choices of Immunotherapies

Immunotherapy includes a range of strategies to harness the body’s own defenses against cancer.

One approach is to keep immune cells active for longer by blocking the checkpoints that normally dampen their activity. This frees them to attack cancer cells more aggressively. Another involves administering highly specific antibodies that act like guided missiles, homing in on cancer cells. In some cases, viruses are genetically modified to infiltrate and destroy cancer cells from within—a method known as oncolytic virus therapy.

Despite their promise, immunotherapies also have some caveats. An overstimulated immune system can trigger excessive inflammation, damaging healthy tissues.

A more advanced option that can circumvent these challenges, effective even when other immunotherapies fail, is CAR T-cell therapy—short for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy. In this treatment, a patient’s own T cells are collected and genetically engineered to produce a special chimeric receptor: part of it comes from antibodies that recognize cancer cells, and part from T-cell proteins. This receptor works like a GPS, locking onto tumour-specific antigens and enabling T cells to bind to and destroy only cancer cells. Once modified and tested for efficacy against the patient’s cancer cells, these cells are multiplied in the lab, and infused back into the patient. Inside the body, they continue to replicate, patrol, and eliminate cancer cells. These CAR T-cells can remain active in the body, sometimes, for years.

CAR technology is not limited to T cells; other immune cells such as dendritic cells and natural killer (NK) cells can also be adapted, leading to CAR-NK therapies. Overall, CAR technology paves a way to highly personalized treatments tailored to individual patients, a hallmark of precision medicine.

However, CAR-based therapies also come with a few challenges. Unlike many treatments, CAR T-cell therapy cannot be tested in animal models before human use. It is expensive—often costing up to 10 times more than conventional cancer treatments available today. They may still cause severe immune-related side effects in some patients. And, so far, they have no success against solid tumours. Currently, they are approved mainly for certain blood cancers, which are easier for immune cells to access because they circulate throughout the body.

Nevertheless, CAR T-cell therapy remains a powerful form of immunotherapy. Custom-designed for each patient, it mounts a stronger and more targeted attack against cancer. It typically requires only a single infusion and can offer long-term protection. With ongoing research and advancements, CAR-cell therapy holds great promise and may one day replace conventional chemotherapy as a front line cancer treatment.

Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology is organising a National Level Workshop on ‘Cardiac Cell Culture and Advanced Molecular Techniques' from 24th to 25th April 2026.

Cardiac cell culture workshop offers immense value to students, researchers, and professionals in biotechnology, medicine, and the life sciences. This hands-on training is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, academic professionals, and industry experts, providing practical experience in the handling and maintenance of cell cultures—an essential skill for both research and industrial applications. The workshop features introductory lectures on cell culture techniques, as well as cytotoxicity and apoptosis assays using AO/EtBr staining.

Funded By

USIEF

Type

Fellowship

Website

usief.org.in/fulbright-fellows… →

Profile

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships are designed to build long-term capacity to address global challenges and develop innovative solutions in key priority areas in both India and the U.S. We encourage proposals that are futuristic, innovative and technology focused.

Selected scholars will have the opportunity to conduct research, audit non-degree courses at U.S. academic institutions to enhance their knowledge and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S.

These fellowships are designed for Indian scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution. These fellowships are for six to nine months.

Money

The fellowships provide J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, round-trip economy class air travel, applicable allowances and modest affiliation fees, if any. No allowances are provided for dependents. The grant is not sufficient to support family members.

Qualifications

• This grant is intended for Ph.D. students to conduct research essential to their dissertations/thesis. Therefore, the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date should be at least three months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant end date. For example, if May 2028 is the grant end date, the applicant cannot submit their thesis before August 2028. Please indicate the Ph.D. registration date and the expected Ph.D. thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure.
• The applicant should provide clear justification on the need for undertaking research in the U.S. and the U.S. institution identified for the research. They should have done reasonable study pertaining to their research objectives, especially in the identification of resources in India and the U.S.
• Applicant must be registered for Ph.D. at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2025. On the online application form, one of the recommendation letters must be from the Ph.D. supervisor that comments on applicants’ research, need for the fellowship, and must indicate the Ph.D. registration date and topic.
• If the applicant is employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, please obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period; and
• The applicant must upload a copy of the original published/presented paper or extracts from the Masters’/M.Phil. thesis on the online application form (not exceeding 20 pages).
• Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships. This includes civil servants in central services (such as IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, and allied services), state government services (including state civil services), and bureaucratic staff employed in central and state ministries or departments. However, researchers, scientists, and academicians from CSIR, ICAR, ICGEB, DRDO, ISRO, ICMR, DBT institutions, DST laboratories, BARC, IISc, and IITs, as well as other centrally funded government institutions and universities, are eligible to apply.

Note: These fellowships are for pre-doctoral level research. Applicants with Ph.D. degrees or those at the final stage of Ph.D. thesis submission will not be considered.

To Apply

1. Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2027
2. Please carefully review the FNDR Applicant Instructions before starting your online application.
3. Please refer to FNDR Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.
4. In addition, you must complete FNDR Applicant Annexure and FNDR Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable) and upload on your online application.

For more details, click here

DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance

Hyderabad, Telangana

Engagement

Contract

Hours

Full-time

Website

indiaalliance.org/careerdetail… →

Profile

The Senior Grants Advisor plays a central role in coordinating and managing the full range of pre-award processes and selected post-award activities across India Alliance’s funding programmes. The role involves overseeing the lifecycle of grant applications, ensuring adherence to policies and timelines, maintaining high standards of quality and consistency, and supporting decision-making processes. The Senior Grants Advisor works closely with colleagues within and across teams, contributes to process improvement, and may provide oversight or guidance to junior advisors. The role includes coordinating grant competitions, supporting both pre- and post-award processes, monitoring grant budgets, and ensuring that review activities and other time-sensitive, high-volume tasks are completed efficiently and to a consistent standard.

Following a short orientation to programme-specific requirements, the Senior Grant Advisor is expected to manage workflows for new competitions and ongoing awards. The role requires strong attention to detail, excellent organisational and time-management skills, and the ability to independently manage substantial workloads and meet strict deadlines.

The incumbent must be able to work collaboratively, uphold high standards of quality and consistency, and maintain a clear understanding of the mandate and strategic goals of the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance. This role offers opportunities for skill development and professional growth.

Duration

The position carries a fixed-term contract of up to five years from the date of joining, or until 1 April 2031, whichever is earlier, and includes a probation period determined at the time of selection.

Money

The consolidated monthly remuneration is between ₹0.95-1.15 Lakh (Accident and Medical Insurance is provided as an additional benefit), based on qualifications and experience, as determined at the time of selection.

Qualifications

Essential PhD in Life Science or a related discipline.

Experience

Minimum of one year of grant management experience Experience using grant management software or digital grant platforms. Experience of end-to-end grant coordination i.e., the full lifecycle of grant applications, from submission to review, selection, award, and reporting. Experience with coordinating reviews, collating evaluator feedback, and supporting decision-making processes Experience with the implementation of standardised procedures and workflows for grant review, evaluation, and approval. Experience with implementation of both pre-award and post-award processes. Knowledge of funding guidelines, documentation requirements, and compliance expectations across pre- and post-award phases. Desirables: Prior experience working within a grants or funding agency team environment. Experience with digital tools, dashboards or, workflow systems used for grant tracking.

To Apply

For more details click here

Ashoka University

Sonepat, Haryana

Engagement

Permanent

Hours

Full-time

Website

hrmsashoka.darwinbox.in/ms/can… →

Profile

The Research and Development Office (RDO) at Ashoka has been created to provide centralized assistance to Ashoka faculty and researchers towards academic research. This is done through a set of proactive, capacity-building strategies to increase the University’s competitive advantage and international prominence. The office has four major operation areas – extramural grant management, research infrastructure management, research scholar’s management, and research communication. Link: https://www.ashoka.edu.in/rese...

Position Overview
The Pre-Award Grants Manager is responsible for managing extramural grant applications and supporting Ashoka researchers, faculty, students, and staff in securing external funding. The role focuses on end-to-end proposal coordination, engagement with various stakeholders, partnership facilitation, and strengthening institutional research capacity through structured support and capacity-building initiatives. The position plays a key role in enhancing the quality, compliance, and competitiveness of grant submissions. This position requires understanding of research funding ecosystems, grant writing skills, and interdisciplinary coordination across STEM, social sciences, humanities, and emerging areas.

Key Responsibilities
1. Funding Opportunity Identification & Dissemination,
2. Faculty Engagement and Proposal Development Support,
3. Pre-Award Coordination and Institutional Approvals,
4. Proposal Submission and Sponsor Coordination,
5. Capacity Building and Training,
6. Data Management, Reporting, and Analytics

Money

Commensurate with the qualifications, experience, and suitability of the candidate.

Qualifications

Master’s or PhD degree in any discipline (sciences, social sciences, management, public policy, humanities).

Experience

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in research development, grant management, research administration, stakeholder management and coordination Understanding of national and international research funding ecosystems.

To Apply

For more details click here

Contact

Director, Research and Development Office

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Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology is organising a Short Course on “Zebrafish Animal Model in Biomedical Research: In vivo and In Silico Approaches” on 07th to 11th April 2026 from 9.30 am to 4.00pm.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a prominent vertebrate model for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease, in vivo model for development, neurotoxicity research and many more. Similarly Bioinformatics is a key domain that involves the prediction of molecular communications.This workshop is intended for Students (UG & PG)/ Research Scholars/ Academic Professionals/ Industrialists who wish to explore Zebrafish models and in silico computational analysis in their research.

SIU

Pune, Maharashtra

Engagement

Contract

Hours

Full-time

Profile

Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), is a private university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India. SIU has been awarded Category-I status by UGC and an A++ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

About SSBS: Established in 2011 under the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (FoMHS), SSBS offers postgraduate programs in Biological Sciences and aims to develop strong research verticals in emerging areas of life sciences, particularly in omics sciences and computational biology.

Roles and Responsibilities: Teach postgraduate theory and laboratory courses in omics sciences, data analysis, and programming. Develop independent research programs in omics sciences by attracting extramural grants. Train Ph.D. and postgraduate students in research projects. Contribute to curricular development, assessments and evaluations, and institutional activities, etc.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline from a recognized university, along with postdoctoral research experience at nationally or internationally reputed institutions. Applicants must have a strong record of research publications in peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus/SCI. Demonstrated expertise in omics sciences, computational biology, and data science should be evident through published work and research contributions.

To Apply

Interested candidates may send their: 1) Detailed CV, 2) List of publications, 3) Research statement, 4) Teaching statement, to [email protected]