Project Research Scientist -I (Non Medical)- ICMR BLUE SHOCK Trail Project
Job Summary:
Septic shock is a common and highly lethal ICU condition; Indian ICU data report mortality of up to 50–55%. A key driver of refractory vasodilation is excessive nitric oxide production through the NO–cGMP pathway. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of this pathway, is inexpensive and widely available, but high-quality evidence on its early use in septic shock — particularly from Indian ICUs — is lacking.
BLUE-SHOCK is a single-centre, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded outcome assessment (PROBE), parallel-group controlled trial. One hundred adults meeting Sepsis-3 criteria for septic shock will be randomized 1:1, within 24 hours of vasopressor initiation, to receive either adjunctive intravenous methylene blue along with standard guideline-based care, or standard care alone.
The primary outcome is time to shock reversal (cessation of vasopressors for ≥ 6 consecutive hours). Secondary outcomes include cumulative norepinephrine-equivalent dose, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance over the first 48 hours, lactate clearance, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, 28-day mortality, adverse events, and ICU treatment cost. The study will also explore biomarker-based (IL-6, procalcitonin) and hemodynamic phenotypes associated with treatment response.
Salary : Rs.72,800/- p.m
No of Vacancy : One
Key Responsibilities:
Overall day-to-day scientific and operational management of the trial, including:
- Screening of ICU admissions against Sepsis-3 eligibility criteria and maintenance of the screening and enrolment log.
- Coordinating the informed consent process with the investigators, including consent from legally authorized representatives and re-consent on recovery of capacity
- Implementing randomization and allocation concealment procedures (sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelopes) and safeguarding allocation records.
- Supervising administration of the study intervention per protocol and monitoring protocol adherence and deviations.
- Coordinating advanced hemodynamic monitoring (cardiac output, SVR, stroke volume variation), serial ABG/lactate sampling and biomarker (IL-6, procalcitonin) collection, storage and assay scheduling with the laboratory.
- Supervising the work of the Project Technical Support–III staff and ensuring complete, accurate and timely CRF completion.
- Database design and management, data quality control, periodic data audits, query resolution and preparation of the final cleaned dataset.
- Coordinating statistical analysis with the study statistician and assisting in interpretation of results.
- Recording, documenting and reporting adverse events and serious adverse events to the PI and the Institutional Ethics Committee; maintaining pharmacovigilance and safety records.
- Maintaining regulatory and ethics documentation, CTRI registration and updates, SOPs and the trial master file; preparing progress, utilization and interim reports for ICMR.
- Assisting in training of investigators and ICU staff on protocol and data collection procedures.
- Assisting in preparation of manuscripts, conference presentations and the final project report.
- Any other scientific or administrative task assigned by the Principal Investigator in connection with the project.
Eligibility Criteria:
Preferred Qualifications:
Essential:
- First Class post-graduate degree, including an integrated post-graduate degree, in Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Microbiology / Biochemistry / Pharmacology / Clinical Research / Public Health or an allied discipline from a recognized university; OR
- Second Class post-graduate degree, including an integrated post-graduate degree, with a Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant subject from a recognized university.
Desirable:
- Ph.D. or M.Phil. in a relevant subject; or a post-graduate qualification in clinical research / clinical epidemiology.
- GCP (Good Clinical Practice) and ICMR National Ethical Guidelines certification.
- Working knowledge of biostatistics and statistical software (SPSS / R / STATA) and of electronic data capture systems (REDCap or equivalent).
- Prior publications in peer-reviewed journals
Age Limit: 35 Years
Preferred Language: English
Tentative Date of Joining : 15th October 2026
To Apply: E-mail cover letter and curriculum vitae with 3 references (names and email addresses / phone numbers) by on or before 9th October 2026 to mathangi.krishnakumar@stjohns.in & cc to hr@sjri.res.in
