Research Assistant vacancy at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka,

Job Description

Inter-University Partnership of

Competitive Research Grant (STHRDP)

Collaborative Research between Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

Three Vacancies for Graduate Research Assistant (MPhil)

Research area: Natural Products/Food Science/Biotechnology

About the project:

The project is aiming to sustainable development of north central province through establishing a functional framework on selected underutilized wild fruit plants in Sri Lanka. This is competitive research grant funded by ADB to encourage collaborative research partnerships in between the Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Technology, RUSL and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, in order to strengthen research collaborations to formulate products, process and services in  related commercial applications such as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical developments using the advanced bioprocess technology, nanotechnology, polymer technology and engineering technology.

Title of the sub projects:

1.      Evaluation of some selected underutilized wild fruits in North Central Province of Sri Lanka as a potential source for the development of functional supplements. 

2.      Characterization and identification of Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of some selected seeds from underutilized Sri Lankan wild fruits for in vitro antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities.

3.      Development of a food supplement with native Sri Lankan plant components with high medicinal activity.

Duration: 2 years

Key responsibilities:

•      Screening  the extracts of some selected wild underutilized fruits and their parts for bioactivities including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activity by in vitro/in vivo assays.

•      Optimization and standardization of extracts/functional ingredients from the potent samples for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications and developments.

•      Validating the product developed for technical know-how and commercialization 

Required qualifications:

•      Bachelor degree in Science, Food Science, Technology or relevant disciplines

•      Effective verbal and written communication skills in English

Monthly stipend: 60,000 LKR (MPhil registration fee is covered)

Work locations: Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

How to apply:

Please send your CV with the statement of purpose to Dr. Prasad Jayasooriya (principal investigator) ADBRJP4@gmail.com on or before 28/07/2022

Please mention the subtitle of the project you apply in the covering letter.