Two post-doctoral positions in biology/biological physics (# of pos: 2)

About the Dioscuri Centre

The Centre’s main objective is to better understand bacterial growth and evolution in the natural environment of pathogenic bacteria: the interior of an animal cell and animal secretions. The members of the Centre use experimental in vitro models of infections, computer simulations and mathematical theory to create data driven, quantitative models of bacterial growth and evolution in these environments. Research performed in the Centre will contribute towards the understanding of bacterial infections and the evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animal and human hosts. The Centre collaborates with research institutions in Germany, the UK and the US. The Centre is co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, with additional support coming from NAWA.

The Centre is located in the Institute for Physical Chemistry (IPC, Polish: IChF), Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.

Job purpose:

We seek two post-doctoral researchers: one with experience in optical imaging and/or microfluidics, and another one in microbiology, genetic engineering of bacteria and whole-genome sequencing to contribute to the project “Transition from genetic to phenotypic antibiotic resistance in de novo bacterial mutants”.

The project will involve (i) genetic engineering of E. coli strains to enable CRISPR/Cas9-based imaging of de novo mutations in live bacterial cells, (ii) designing and creating a microfluidic device suitable for live imaging of 1 billion bacterial cells, (iii) tracking antibiotic-resistant spontaneous mutants that evolve in the device, measuring their growth rate over several generations, and sequencing their DNA to reveal the nature of genetic alterations. Other team members will use mathematical modelling to interpret the data and predict the effect of the genotype-to phenotype transition on the dynamics of bacterial infections.

Main responsibilities:

1. Planning and execution of specific elements of the research program, acting under general guidance of the supervisor. This will involve deciding (with the supervisor) on the detailed direction of the research, formulating a strategy for day-to-day research work, implementing the strategy (without close supervision), interpreting obtained data, drawing conclusions, and reporting progress to the supervisor.

2. Communicating research results to team members and collaborators at IPC and other institutions through talks and discussions, as well as learning about others’ research through seminars and journal clubs.

3. Assisting with supervision of junior researchers (Master and PhD students), where appropriate.

4. Writing reports and scientific papers.

5. Attending and presenting at workshops and conferences.

6. Keeping up-to-date with relevant scientific developments through literature review.

Career perspectives

The position is initially for 1 year, after which it may be extended for another 2 years (maximum total duration 3 years) subject to satisfactory performance