Postdoc/assistant professor

10 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences

Department

Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter

Research Field

Biological sciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Poland

Application Deadline

8 May 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Jun 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Project title: Understanding multi-scale innate immune defences against bacterial pathogens at the single-cell level

Founded by the National Science Centre

We are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated scientists to join a newly established laboratory of Prof. Pawel Paszek (founded via a PLN 2m OPUS-23 grant from NCN and PLN 1.6m Polish Returns grant from NAWA https://nawa.gov.pl/nawa/aktualnosci/nawa-polskie-powroty-nabor-rozstrzygniety ). Successful candidate will work in a team of 5 interdisciplinary scientists using interdisciplinary approaches to study single cell immune responses to bacterial infections.

The main aim of the project is to quantitatively understand mechanisms involved in the muti-scale coordination of innate immune responses against bacterial pathogens at the single cell level. We will study direct interactions between innate immune macrophages and the important food-borne bacteria Listeria monocytogenes that causes significant levels of human morbidity and mortality. Our data demonstrate that interactions between L. monocytogenes and macrophages, a key event controlling the overall infection critically rely on a small fraction of ‘successful’ pathogens, which can effectively replicate and spread within the infected host cell population.

Our main objectives are:

• Elucidate via time-lapse live-cell imaging how pathogen threats are encoded in dynamical responses of NF-kB/STAT/IRF systems upon L. monocytogenes infection.
• Understand the population-level host strategies that underpin successful immune response to infection. We will investigate how paracrine signalling in the infected and bystander population and temperature adaptation coordinate the overall population level inflammatory responses.
• Determine whether the host and pathogen variability are co-regulated as a fundamental immune mechanism. We will use image genomics (smFISH) and immunostaining to measure single-cell effector responses in host macrophages as well as monitor activation of the major PrfA regulon in L. monocytogenes at the single bacterium resolution.
• Develop predictive mathematical models of innate immune response to L. monocytogenes using genetic and chemical perturbations to validate modelling and manipulate infection outcomes. 

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

We seek excellent candidates having experience and publication record in one of the following areas:

Immunology, microbiology or molecular cell biology, with proficiency in experimental techniques: mammalian and/or bacterial cell culture, live and fixed-cell confocal microscopy, RT or digital PCR, Western blot, cell sorting, molecular cloning and CRISPR. Experience in other methods planned for the project and described above is desirable.

Mathematical and numerical system biology, ordinary and partial differential equations, stochastic processes, programming.

Background in both areas will be considered beneficial.

Specific Requirements

Candidates will be expected to use following approaches in project (training will be provided):

• Live-cell confocal imaging using L. monocytogenes encoding fluorescent proteins and reporters of Prfa virulence, human and mouse cells (primary as well as immortalized macrophage lines) expressing fluorescently tagged transcription factors and cytokines.

• Immunostaining. Simultaneous measurement of regulatory proteins involved in regulation of immune responses in single cells. We will also use smFISH and the emerging techniques of sequential immunostaining.

• Gene expression, protein analysis and cytokine production in infected cell populations through the use of RT-PCR, digital PCR, Western Blotting, ELISA, generation of reporter lines using molecular cloning and CRISPR, and other relevant techniques.

• Microfluidic systems to culture adherent and suspended cells allowing for their confocal imaging and immunostaining.

• Mathematical modeling employing Markov processes to describe activation of the immune response in heterogeneous cell populations, cellular communication, density and temperature effect, different outcomes of infection (eradication, persistence, replication), regulation of bacterial virulence. We will account for spatial aspects of the cytokine diffusion and bacterial spread.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer remuneration of approximately 8600 PLN/month gross (including previous experience) for 26 months (with possible extension for 36 months).

The project provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research in the field of infection biology.

Working on high-class research equipment with experienced staff as a member of Laboratory of Modelling in Biology and Medicine (https://pmbm.ippt.pan.pl/web/Main_Page ).

IPPT PAN is a top interdisciplinary research institute in Poland located in a beautiful and very international city, Warsaw.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must hold a PhD degree in a relevant field and have excellent track record for their career stage.

Selection process

Please provide the following documentation with your application:

1. Copy of PhD diploma in relevant field. MSc and Bachelor diplomas may be also included for evaluation.

2. CV containing information about:

• Publications,
• Conference presentations,
• Prizes and stipends,
• Other information that can help in evaluation, like experience, achievements, and scientific standing of the candidate. 
• Contact details for two references,
• Please include in your CV the following clause: "I agree to the processing of personal data contained in my job offer for the needs necessary to carry out the recruitment process conducted by IPPT PAN with headquarters in Warsaw, ul. A. Pawińskiego 5B, according to art. 13 para. 1 and 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data and the repeal of Directive 95/46 / EC (RODO).

3. Motivation letter (1 page).

In your application, please indicate the competition number BSP/DSP/110-51/2023

The documents should be sent till to [email protected] , with a copy to Project PI, Pawel Paszek ([email protected])  and Department Secretary Ms. Agnieszka Ponarska ([email protected] ). Suitable candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences

Country

Poland

State/Province

Mazovia

City

Warsaw

Postal Code

02-106

Street

A.Pawińskiego 5B

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Mazovia

City

Warsaw

Website

http://www.ippt.pan.pl

Street

A.Pawińskiego 5B

Postal Code

02-106

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED