JOIN THE LAB

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My lab is new, and I am currently looking for post-docs, PhD students, Junior Research Fellows and trainees to join the lab. I am especially looking for experienced people who are well-versed in bioinformatics, molecular biology methods, phylogenetic methods, or field ecology. Students with degrees in genetics, biodiversity, zoology, entomology, biostatistics, biochemistry, biotechnology and bioinformatics will be at an advantage, although students with degrees in any field of biology are encouraged to apply to join my lab. Please contact me if you have the qualifications and interest to participate in the kind of research that is done in my lab. You will have the freedom to choose whether or not you want to work on ongoing projects, and how much time you want to devote to those projects. You will also be free to work independently on a new research project or study system provided that your project is: (a) scientifically interesting and on a solid footing, and/or (b) related to biodiversity research and conservation in the Indian Region, and thus in line with the long-term goals of my lab (remember that the definition of biodiversity is broad, and I am interested in research that spans from the fields of community ecology to molecular genetics). Potential lab members who will bring considerable experience and/or expertise with a particular scientific method or group of organisms, or bring new exciting projects and collaborations to the lab, are very welcome and will be especially valued.
Before contacting me with any queries, you are advised to read about various opportunities and ways to join the lab, as well as general expectations and guidelines, given below. Separate guidelines are given for students at different stages, so please read this entire page carefully.
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND ADVICE: The National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS) is one of the leading research institutes in India for all areas of the biological sciences, and hosts some of the highest-regarded life scientists. The academic environment is quite enriching for people at all levels, from visiting undergraduate interns to faculty members. NCBS is well-funded, the infrastructure is fantastic, and the research facilities are world-class. Considering all this together, NCBS offers arguably the best academic experience in India. The only downside of this is that it is a competitive place. It attracts the best students, and choosing between them is sometimes difficult. This is the setting in which my lab exists. So, read all the relevant information that is available on the NCBS website and on this lab website, and try to prepare the best case for yourself before contacting me with queries to join the lab. Here are a few things that will help you in making your case stronger:
(a) Mention briefly why you are particularly interested in my lab. Let me know if anyone I know specifically recommended that you contact me.
(b) Prior research experience and publications will be a huge plus, so emphasize these things in your first email.
(c) Let me know if you have qualified in the CSIR or other national examinations, and/or you have any significant scholarships or fellowships.
(d) Briefly mention your long-term career goals, so that I know where you are headed. It is fine if you do not yet know this, but some idea will help.
Also, if you applying for post-doc, Junior Research Fellow or lab technician jobs, please mention the range of time period for which you are willing to join the lab.
POST-DOCS: several positions are available. Post-docs are expected to make substantial progress on the current research project they choose in the lab, and also develop their independent research projects. The normal range of tenure of post-docs in my lab is expected to be two to four years. Consult the detailed information about post-doc opportunities at NCBS before contacting me. Post-docs in my lab may be supported either directly by NCBS or with my own extramural funding. I can also host post-docs who bring their own fellowships or other funding.
PHD AND INTEGRATED PHD STUDENTS: currently I am accepting PhD and integrated PhD students. PhD students in my lab are expected to: (a) choose an ongoing research project in the lab as a start, and (b) develop their own ideas and independent research project within the first few years of their PhD program. The first part will ensure that you get trained on a broad range of topics and you will author at least one or two papers whether or not some of your independent projects and ideas work out. The second part will ensure that by the time you defend your PhD thesis, you will have a clear idea of your future research program, and that you will be an independent scientist.
The normal range of tenure of PhD students in my lab is expected to be four to six years. Consult the detailed information about NCBS's PhD program and integrated PhD program before contacting me. Mention specifically if you want to be co-advised by me for your PhD degree.
LAB TECHNICIANS: one position is available. My lab technician is expected to hold at least a Masters degree. (S)he will be responsible for routine lab work, including DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and sequence analysis. Some help in maintaining our butterfly populations is also expected. I will give preference to people who are looking for long-term (three to five years) research technician jobs, although I will also consider applicants who are looking for short-term positions (one to three years).

JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS: one position is available. JRFs are normally expected to work on current research projects in the lab, and I hope that they will make substantial progress on the project assigned to each one of them during their tenure in the lab. JRFs are normally not enrolled in any degree program, but some may register in a Masters program (read about Masters programs at NCBS). Consult information about NCBS research fellowships on the NCBS website. I will give preference to JRF applicants who can make a commitment for a year or longer. The normal range of tenure of JRFs in my lab is expected to be one to three years.
INTERNS/SUMMER TRAINEES: currently I am accepting applications for internships and summer trainee positions, especially from students enrolled in BSc and MSc programs. Trainees are expected to train and work in the lab for two to six months. Consult the page, training at NCBS, before contacting me.
I can arrange a visitorship or other type of internship with my extramural research funding in case you are outside the standard academic framework or are not at a stage to go through the formal application process to which average lab members are subjected. For example, you may be an amateur, either working in a company or still in school, but interested in butterfly natural history and taxonomy. In this case, all the information in the above paragraphs will not apply to you, but you may still want to work in my lab, get some research experience and contribute to science. I encourage such interaction because most of the best naturalists I know developed through such interactions. So feel free to contact me with whatever you have.

-- DR.SPVR.