PhD student – scholarship position Recruitment no. 13/2024

8 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences

Department

Surface Nanoengineering for chemo- and bio-sensors Group

Research Field

Chemistry » Analytical chemistry
Chemistry » Biochemistry
Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Physics » Optics
Physics » Chemical physics
Physics » Biophysics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Poland

Application Deadline

26 Apr 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Warsaw)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Other

Hours Per Week

Negotiable

Offer Starting Date

1 May 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

Recruitment no. 13/2024

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

No

Offer Description

We offer a 36-month scholarship of PLN 2000 PLN per month (with possible extension to 48 months) financed from the NCN OPUS 25 Project No. 2023/49/B/ST4/01450 “Plasmonic nanoparticles decorated with fluorescently-labelled mRNA: using single-pair FRET effect for investigating enzymes active in mRNA metabolism” led by prof. Joanna Niedziółka-Jönsson. This exciting interdisciplinary project is realized in a collaboration with with Prof. Jemielity from Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw and prof. Maćkowski from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.

The aim envisioned in this interdisciplinary project is experimental optical detection and quantification of the activity of the enzymes responsible for mRNA degradation using a novel double-labelled nucleotide and mRNA-based fluorescent probes. The optical response of those probes can be strongly enhanced if chemically grafted to plasmonically active silver nanowires. Therefore, careful control of the surface modification of the plasmonic particles is required so that the distance between the particle and the probe is adjusted to ensure efficient enhancement of the fluorescence. The approach with plasmonic particles should give the opportunity to monitor the reaction at a single-molecules level and the activity in real time.

 

Responsibilities:

•  Synthesis of silver nanowires and its surface modifications with single and double-labelled nucleotides.

•   Synthesis of silver nanowires and its surface modifications with single and double-labelled mRNA.

•  Influence of plasmon excitations in silver nanowires on optical properties of single and double-labelled probes.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• completed Master's degree in chemistry, physics, biotechnology or related field.
• Enthusiasm and engagement in the scientific work.
• Basic knowledge of physical chemistry, nanomaterials, surface modification, molecular interactions, fluorescence microscopy.
• Good knowledge in English.

Specific Requirements

• Knowledge in synthesis of plasmonic particles is a plus.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

ChemistryPhysics

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Benefits

• 36-month scholarship of PLN 2000 PLN per month (with possible extension to 48 months) financed from the NCN OPUS 25 Project No. 2023/49/B/ST4/01450
• A job in an exciting interdisciplinary project, realized in a collaboration with Prof. Jemielity from Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw and prof. Maćkowski from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
• You will learn advanced optical microscopy techniques.
• You will learn how to perform single-molecule measurements on a fluorescence microscope.
• You will perform measurements of enzyme activity using FRET.

 

The successful candidate will gain an experience in optical detection and quantification of the enzyme activity responsible for mRNA degradation which may influence metabolism, gene expression, signalling and etc. The investigation of the photonic control of light-matter interaction at the nanoscale can be beneficial in construction of new hybrid systems based on RNA. The successful candidate will be able to take advantage of all programs in the IPC PAS, including Young Scientists of IPC PAS competition and Mobility of Young Scientists of IPC PAS competition. The Institute provides an opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ program.

Eligibility criteria

NCN scholarships may be awarded to a person who is a PhD student at a doctoral school at a university or institute of higher education in Poland.

Selection process

Required documents:

• Curriculum vitae, including a list of scientific achievements (scholarships, awards, publications, patents, conference presentations, research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, etc.)
• Recommendation letter(s). At least one opinion of the candidate from a specialist in a relevant field of science.
• Motivation letter.
• Confirmation of having the status of PhD student enlisted in doctoral school at a university or institute of higher education in Poland.

 

The Commission will take into account the following criteria and evaluate applications on a point scale:

• the candidate’s research achievements, including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score)
• research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score)
• the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score).

The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the rules defined by National Science Center’s document "REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING NCN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NCN-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECT” https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2022/uchwala124_2022-zal1_ang.pdf and the Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS https://ichf.edu.pl/files/csr/ipc-procedures.pdf

The Commission will analyze CVs of the candidates. The top candidates will be invited for an online interview (29.04.2024). Good command of English is required. We reserve the right to contact and reply only to selected candidates.

- The incomplete applications will be not considered.

- The scholarship will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.

- The results of the competition are made public.

- If the top candidate does not sign the contract, due to the resignation, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.

The results of the recruitment are planned to be announced on 30.04.2024.

Scheduled date of starting work within the Project: 01.05.2024.

Additional comments

How to Apply: Send application directly to [email protected] ;

IMPORTANT: email title “Recruitment 13/2024”; (emails without this number will be not considered!)

 

By submitting the application you consent to the processing of your personal data in the recruitment process.

 

The controller of your personal data is the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Warsaw, NIP: 5250008755 (the "Institute"). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded – Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) - depending on the circumstances.

You have the right to: request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing. More information is available on the Institute's website.

https://ichf.edu.pl/theme/ichf/pliki/RODO_klauzula_informacyjna.pdf

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Physical Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences

Country

Poland

City

Warsaw

Postal Code

01-224

Street

Kasprzaka 44/52

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Warsaw

Website

https://ichf.edu.pl/en/job

Street

Warsaw, Kasprzaka 44/52

Postal Code

PL-01-224

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

+48 22 343 3130

STATUS: EXPIRED