Research Associate – Genomics

Research Area	Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system. It is currently the second most common neurodegenerative disease globally and has the fastest growing prevalence and disability burden among neurological disorders. Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD), defined as disease onset between 21 and 50 years of age, represents a clinically distinct yet understudied subgroup of PD. Compared with Late-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (LOPD; onset ≥51 years), EOPD patients frequently exhibit more severe non-motor manifestations. Genetic contributions play a major role in EOPD, particularly in familial and juvenile forms. Variants in genes such as PINK1, PRKN, DJ-1, SNCA, and LRRK2 have been implicated. The current project aims to perform comprehensive genomic and epigenomic profiling using technologies such as Whole Genome Sequencing, Whole Exome Sequencing, methylome analysis and long-read sequencing.
1. Key Responsibilities: DNA Extraction and Genomics Workflows	DNA extraction from human tissues and biological samples such as PBMCs and buccal smears DNA/RNA quality assessment and quantification – Experience handling Qubit, Tapestation etc Library preparation for: Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) Methylome sequencing Long-read sequencing using Oxford Nanopore platforms Sequencing quality control and troubleshooting Independent operation of Illumina NextSeq and NovaSeq sequencing systems Sample tracking, documentation, and laboratory record maintenance
2. Additional Desired Requirements	Familiarity with Automated liquid handling systems such as Firefly Background in data science and running analysis pipelines Alignment and mapping of sequencing reads Variant calling, annotation, and interpretation Polygenic Risk score analysis Analysis of genomic and epigenomic datasets Experience of performing GWAS Basic statistical and computational analyses using Python or R Integration of clinical and genomic datasets for correlation studies
3. Research and Collaboration	Participation in study design, protocol optimisation, and troubleshooting Maintenance of everyday laboratory reports, presentations and manuscripts Collaboration with clinicians, bioinformaticians, and interdisciplinary team members Maintenance of laboratory safety and quality standards Strong team player with excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills Eager to learn new techniques and stay updated with emerging technologies
Educational Qualification and Work Experience	PhD/MSc with more than 4 years experience on Sequencing
Relevant References
4. Letter of Reference	A letter of reference from your guide/supervisor may be requested during the final round of the interview process.
5. To Apply	Interested candidates should apply with a CV detailing work experience, technical skills and publications within 31st June 2026. Interested and eligible candidates may send their updated CV to careers@skanrt.in. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview. Please note that Annual Salary (CTC) will be commensurate with available skills and fitment of the incumbent as per the selection process.