Research Officer II

Overall Purpose of the Job

This position will advance innovative research aimed at generating critical insights into the chemical ecology of Filth flies by elucidating the links between their dietary preferences and developmental performance, paving way for the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly filth fly control tools. The successful candidate will design and conduct experiments that integrate behavioural, chemical, and metabolomic approaches to unravel how dietary substrates influence fly growth, survival, and reproductive potential.

Specific duties

• Conduct to assess dietary choices in Musca domestica and related filth fly species.
• Evaluate behavioural responses and assess developmental parameters across dietary regimes.
• Extract and characterise volatile (VOCs) and non-volatile Organic compounds (non-VOCs) influencing feeding preferences using GC–MS and LC–MS techniques.
• Design and execute behavioural assays (e.g., Y-tube olfactometer, feeding preference and gustatory bioassays) experiments 
• Perform high-resolution MS-based metabolomic profiling (Orbitrap, q-ToF, LC-MS) of substrates, larvae, and adult flies to identify diet-associated metabolic signatures.
• Develop and optimise semiochemicals-based lure formulations for selective attraction/repellence of filth flies.
• Conduct statistical and multivariate analysis using R, GraphPad Prism, and PAST to interpret behavioural, chemical, and biological data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams working on Chemical, behavioural ecology, and insect physiology.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and conference presentations.

Requirements/ qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 3years of hands-on research experience in chemical, behavioural ecology or analytical chemistry within a recognised research institution.
• Experience conducting Behavioral and Chemical ecology experiments under controlled laboratory and field conditions.
• Demonstrated experience in sample extraction and analysis of volatile and non-volatile compounds using GC–MS or LC–MS platforms.
• Proven ability in Experimental design, method development, optimisation for various studies.
• Competence in data processing and statistical analysis tools such as R, GraphPad Prism, PAST etc.
• Excellent scientific writing, data interpretation, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and prioritise multiple tasks within a fast-paced research environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.