What: The Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh announces admissions to its PhD programmes for 2008.

The Director, Institute of Microbial Technology, invites exceptionally motivated candidates (only those candidates who have cleared CSIR/ UGC NET, DBT JRF examination, or ICMR JRF examination) to appear for a walk-in interview on July 28, 2008, (reporting time 9 am to 12 noon) for pursuing doctoral research at IMTECH under the aegis of the PhD degree programme being jointly run by IMTECH and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.

About IMTECH
IMTECH is a multidisciplinary institute with excellent research facilities, state of the art computer and library facilities, and faculty with interests in many different areas of modern biology and biotechnology. During this intake, openings may be available in the subjects illustratively mentioned below.

Further details will be available to those appearing for the walk-in interview(s), which will be conducted, for each candidate, subject to the fulfillment of the required essential qualifications. Candidates may be required to identify their preferred areas/sub-areas for research before being interviewed (see below).

Molecular Biology: Molecular biology of pathogens, gene silencing, stress tolerance, signal transduction, gene expression, genome-wide analysis.

Cell Biology & Immunology: Host- pathogen interactions, TB vaccine development, T- and B-cell activation, infectious agents & vaccine targets, cell structure & microscopy.

Protein Science & Engineering: Structure-function relationships, design, expression, structural analysis and modeling, crystallization, structure determination and structure- based drug designing

Applied & Environmental Microbiology: Microbial diversity, environmental biotechnology, biotransformations, vaccines, extremophiles and their metabolites.

Bioinformatics: Computer-aided vaccine and drug development, genome annotations, protein structure prediction, molecular simulations.

Bioorganic Chemistry: Enzymes and abzymes in organic synthesis, biocatalysis and bioactive molecules. Peptide Chemistry : Peptide synthesis, conformational characterization and modelling.

Biochemical Engineering: Fermentation & downstream processing, process development, bioreactor modelling and control.

Biosensors: Immunodiagnostics of pesticides and other environmental pollutants based on bioprobe-electronic interfacing.

Eligibility and selection
~ Candidates with Master's Degree or equivalent in any branch of science (Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Pharmacy) or in chemical/ biochemical engineering who have qualified to be eligible to receive a doctoral Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) after passing any of the following examinations are eligible to be interviewed : CSIR/ UGC NET, DBT JRF examination, or ICMR JRF examination.

~ Those who come for interview must be prepared to be present in Chandigarh for at least three days, which is the approximate time required to finalise the admission of successful candidates. No TA/DA or any other expenses will be paid for appearing in the interview.

~ Candidates whose result for qualifying examination is awaited, but likely to be declared on or before the interview date may also apply; however, they will be allowed to appear in the interview only after they produce a valid proof of having passed the qualifying masters' level examination (eg, a letter from the relevant Head of Department).

~ Candidates must also state their present occupation, if any, before the interview; any concealment may result in cancellation of admission at any stage.

Age limit
28 years as on January 30, 2008 (age relaxation is applicable to SC/ST and OBC candidates as per Govt of India rules). The decision of the Director, IMTECH, regarding selection/admission of the candidates shall be final.

Residential accommodation
Separate hostel accommodation for boys and girls in the campus may be provided to the admitted candidates, if available. However, availability this year is likely to be low, and selected candidates may be required to stay off-campus.

How to apply
Kindly bring original and attested copies of
(a) All certificates (school leaving, BSc, MSc, etc),
(b) Proof of passing NET (a copy of certificate or roll number along with newspaper clipping showing result with roll number highlighted).

Those who are selected will be assigned labs and will be required to pay Rs 3,000/- in cash towards registration which will be immediately done after selection/ admission.

Reservation as per rules will be applicable to SC/ST candidates.

For details
Visit the website: www.imtech.res.in/phd or e-mail phd@imtech.res.in