Research Assistant

Job description / Role

Job Description
Research Assistant/ Associate position available to work on a 2-year fully funded Aquaculture research project in the Department of Food Science (DFS), UAE University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The project pertains to aquaculture as a means to generate value from local agricultural by-product. The research work requires some international travel to the collaborating Universities in Thailand and Czech Republic and for dissemination of research outcomes.

• The candidate is expected to work independently at UAEU research facilities which include DFS research laboratory, pilot laboratory, Aquaculture Research Station, etc.
• The project would suit a candidate with experience in aquaculture/ fisheries with background knowledge in food chemistry/ biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology with strong laboratory skills preferably with some experience in food/ feed processing. The position is also required to support other research activities as determined by PI.
• The candidate is expected to have good manuscript writing skills.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
• Some training will be provided to the successful candidate.
• The ideal candidate will work with the project team and requires exceptional people skills/ communication skills for this role.
• The candidate should be self-motivated, enjoys challenges, provides leadership in technical problem solving, comprehends complex scientific data while being open to learn.
• The position is available immediately and is open until filled.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification
• Successful candidate must have a minimum of MSc degree by thesis or equivalent in Aquaculture/ Fisheries/ Food Science or related discipline with publications relevant to scope of this research project.

Preferred Qualification
• PhD Degree in Food Science/ Aquaculture/ Fisheries or other closely related field with thesis on relevant topic to the project (preferable).

Expected Skills/Rank/Experience
• The research involves-
• Extraction of phytocompounds, elucidation and characterization of antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extracts.
• Study impact of formulation, processing on stability and shelf life of phytocompound will also be examined.
• Hence experience in extrusion, spray drying, encapsulation and/ or freeze drying for producing aquafeed will be well regarded.
• The project requires maintenance, management of aquaculture trials (experience with Nile Tilapia and Seabream preferable), collection of biological samples, proximate analysis, analytical profiling (fatty acids, polyphenols, etc) application of molecular biology techniques for analysing genetic expression of immune parameters, analysis of stress parameters and aquaculture water testing. Previous experience of sampling and sample processing techniques in aquaculture projects would be expected.

About the Company

Founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAEU is a comprehensive, research-intensive university enrolling about 14,000 Emirati and international students. As the UAE’s flagship university, UAEU offers a full range of accredited, high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs through nine Colleges: Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Food and Agriculture; Humanities and Social Sciences; IT; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science. With a distinguished international faculty, state-of-the art new campus, and full range of student support services, UAEU offers a living-learning environment that is unmatched in the UAE.

As a research-intensive university of international stature, UAEU works with its partners in industry to provide research solutions to challenges faced by the nation, the region, and the world. The University has established research centers of strategic importance to the country and the region which are advancing knowledge in critical areas ranging from water resources to cancer treatments. UAEU is currently ranked the number one research university in the GCC, number two in the Arab World, and #370 globally.

UAEU’s academic programs have been developed in partnership with employers, so our graduates are in high demand. UAEU alumni hold key positions in industry, commerce, and government throughout the region. Our continuing investments in facilities, services, and staff ensure that UAEU will continue to serve as a model of innovation and excellence.