PHD Student no. 5/2024/ICHB/PSD

Updated: 3 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 08 Mar 2024

8 Feb 2024
Job Information
Organisation/Company

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences
Department

Department of Molecular Neurobiology
Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country

Poland
Application Deadline

8 Mar 2024 - 23:00 (Europe/Brussels)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

40
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme
Reference Number

5/2024/ICHB/PSD
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

KEYWORDS: neurodegenerative disease, brain, spinocerebellar ataxia 3, mutant protein, PolyQ, autophagy, proteasome, therapy, small molecules, preclinical drug testing, small molecule drugs

Principal Investigator: Maciej Figiel

Research topic: Investigation of a new therapeutic strategy to lower mutant protein in SCA3 / MJD

I. Project description

Neurodegenerative diseases, including polyglutamine diseases and Alzheimer's disease, are currently incurable. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a model example of a genetic neurodegenerative disease and is caused by a particular type of mutation that results in an increased number of CAG nucleotide repeats in the ATXN3 gene sequence. This mutation results in the defective ataxin-3 protein developing new toxic functions, forming toxic aggregates in the cell and disturbing several cellular processes. Ataxin-3 plays a crucial role in controlling which proteins and organelles should be cleared in the cell through two related cellular mechanisms called autophagy and UPS. Ataxin-3 recognizes a protein tag called ubiquitin that directs a protein or cell fragment for breakdown and detaches this tag from the protein, thereby preventing premature removal of the proteins from the cell. We aim to utilize molecule drugs to facilitate the controlled removal of toxic mutant ataxin-3 protein, preventing altered cellular processes that result in neurodegeneration in the brain cells of model animals. Our preclinical study using the SCA3 mouse model will test the small molecular drugs in the brain to develop a therapy targeted against toxic proteins, fighting neurodegeneration.

Additional information:

  • Research and doctoral theses shall be carried out within the 2021/41/B/NZ2/03881 project, entitled “Investigation of a new therapeutic strategy to lower mutant protein in SCA3 / MJD”, funded by the National Science Centre, Poland.
  • Ph.D. students shall receive a stipend in the gross amount of ca 4300 PLN (3800 PLN net) for the period of 22 months with a possible extension.
  • Ph.D. students shall be subject to social insurance, pursuant to the article. 6 section 1 passage 7b of the act of October 13th, 1998, on the social insurance system (Journal of Laws of 2019, items 300, 303, and 730).

  • Requirements
    Research Field
    Biological sciences » Biology
    Education Level
    Master Degree or equivalent

    Skills/Qualifications

     


    Additional Information
    Benefits

    Ph.D. students shall receive a stipend in the gross amount of ca 4300 PLN (3800 PLN net)

    II. Requirements for the candidates:

  • Master’s degree in one of the following: stem cell biology, cell biology, molecular biology, or neurobiology, or the statement from the promoter about the defense date of thesis in the above topics.
  • Excellent grades from studies.
  • Excellent manual skills in performing experiments.
  • Very high motivation for further development, ability to work in a team.
  • Above-average self-organization and the ability to manage time pressure in a 4-year project..
  • Knowledge of basic molecular biology techniques and cell culture techniques.
  • Fluency in English (both in speech and in writing).
  • A positive attitude of the applicant to working with lab animals.
  • Selected skills, knowledge of which may be helpful:

  • Experience in working with primary cell lines (neurons, glial cells).
  • Experience in the transfection of eukaryotic cells.
  • Chromatographic techniques and protein preparation.
  • Working with a spinning disc microscope and flow cytometry.
  • Ability to work with transgenic animals (mice), animal courses absolved (certificates).
  • Multiomic and bioinformatics techniques.
  • Ability to write scientific publications in English .
  • III. Duties in the project:

  • Creative implementation of the research project.
  • Carrying out experiments in the field of molecular biology, neurobiology and in vivo on animal models.
  • Interpretation and reporting of the results of the conducted analyzes.
  • Continuous broadening of knowledge in the field of the project from scientific literature.
  • Preparation of scientific reports in the form of publications and participation in scientific conferences.
  • IV. Required documents:

  • Application for admission to PDS IPAS along with the consent for processing personal data upon the recruitment procedure and a statement on having acknowledged the regulations of recruitment for PDS IPAS, using the form downloaded from:
  • https://psd-ipan.ichb.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ICHBApplication_for_admission_10_05_23.docx

     

  • Certified copy of the diploma confirming graduation or a certificate confirming graduation (in the case of diplomas issued by foreign higher education schools, diploma stipulated in article 326, section 2, passage 2 or article 327, passage 2 of the act of July 20th, 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1668, as amended), entitling to apply for conferment of a doctoral degree in the state in where such a certificate was issued by the relevant higher education school. In the event that the candidate is not in possession of the aforementioned documents, he/she is obliged to submit them prior to admission to PDS IPAS. Additional information on foreign school diplomas is available at:
  • https://nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition/recognition-for-academic-purposes/applying-for-admission-to-doctoral-studies

  • Scientific CV encompassing track record of previous education and employment, information on involvement in scientific activities (participation in student research groups, attendance at scientific conferences, accomplished internships, and training, awarded prizes and distinction), and list of publications.
  • a cover letter featuring a short description of research interests, achievements, and justification for the intention to commence education at the doctoral school.
  • Certificates or other documents confirming the degree of proficiency in English, if the candidate is in possession of such materials.
  • Contact details of at least one, previous scientific supervisor or another researcher who is entitled to issue an opinion on the candidate.
  • V.    Applications should be submitted via the eRecruiter portal at:

    https://system.erecruiter.pl/FormTemplates/RecruitmentForm.aspx?WebID=671d6f0531a047959fbd53edf0b5529f

     

    VI.   Submission deadline is 08.03.2024

    VII. Criteria for evaluation of candidates:

  • Candidate’s research achievements, pursuant to the grades obtained in the course of studies, scientific publications, awarded scholarships and distinctions resulting from conducting scientific research or student activities or other achievements.
  • Candidate’s scientific and professional experience, pursuant to participation in conferences, workshops, training sessions, and internships, implementation of research and commercial projects, involvement in scientific trusts and societies, international and professional mobility, and experience in other sectors, including industry.
  • Candidate’s knowledge of the following discipline: biological sciences.
  • Knowledge of the subject matter described in the recruitment advertisement.

  • Eligibility criteria

    VIII. The recruitment procedure shall be concluded no latter than 08.04.2024

    IX. The description of the recruitment process is stipulated in the Regulations of Recruitment for PDS IPAS. Following the recruitment procedure, the unadmitted candidates shall be informed of the number of points obtained at both stages.

    Incomplete applications will not be considered.

    For additional information, please contact the Principal Investigator:

    Maciej Figiel

    e-mail: [email protected]


    Information clause:

    Pursuant to the stipulations of the regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), further referred to as GDPR, we hereby inform that:

     

    • The Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, seated in Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan; REGON 000849327, NIP 777-00-02-062 is the administrator of the collected personal data (further referred to as the Institute).
    • The Administrator appointed a Data Protection Officer, who can be contacted in writing, via traditional mail, by sending a letter to the following address: Z. Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, or by sending an e-mail to: [email protected] .
    • The personal data of the candidates is processed for the purposes of fulfilling the tasks of the administrator, associated with conducting the recruitment procedure for a vacant position.
    • The legal basis for processing personal data is the Act of 26 June 1974 – The Labor Code, Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences or the consent of the person whose data shall be subjected to processing.

    Selection process
    • Your personal data shall be subjected to processing for a period of 3 months upon the date of the decision of the recruitment committee. Following this period, the data will be irretrievably and effectively destroyed.
    • The personal data of the candidates shall not be transferred to any third country.
    • The person whose data shall be subjected to processing has the right to:
      • request access to his/her personal data, and to amend it or delete it, pursuant to articles 15-17 of GDPR;
      • limit data processing, in the events stipulated in article 18 of GDPR;
      • data transferring, pursuant to article 20 of GDPR;
      • withdraw consent at any moment, without influencing compliance with the law of the processing that was executed prior to consent withdrawal;
      • file a complaint to the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection.

    Providing personal data in the scope stipulated in article 22 (1) of the Act of 26 June 1974 – The Labor Code is mandatory, whereas providing data in a broader scope is voluntary and requires consent for its processing.


    Work Location(s)
    Number of offers available
    1
    Company/Institute
    Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS
    Country
    Poland
    State/Province
    wielkopolska
    City
    Poznań
    Postal Code
    61-704
    Street
    Zygmunta Noskowskiego 12/14
    Geofield


    Where to apply
    Website

    https://system.erecruiter.pl/FormTemplates/RecruitmentForm.aspx?WebID=671d6f053…

    Contact
    State/Province

    wielkopolska
    City

    Poznan
    Website

    http://www.ibch.poznan.pl
    Street

    Noskowskiego 12/14
    Postal Code

    61-704
    E-Mail

    [email protected]

    STATUS: EXPIRED

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