Open positions

Adjunct (post-doc) [6/WC/2025]

The Director of the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznan (IHG PAS) announces an open competition for the position of an post-doc (adjunct)
at the Department of Molecular Pathology of the IHG PAS

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions set out in the Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 1796, as amended) and the Regulations for conducting competitions for scientific positions at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznan.

I. General information

  1. Institution announcing the competition: Institute of Human Genetics PAS.
  2. City: Poznań
  3. Position: post-doc (adjunct)
  4. Discipline: medical sciences
  5. Number of vacancies: 1
  6. Planned remuneration: 9 600 PLN gross per month, full time employment contract starting at June 1, 2025.
  7. Deadline for submitting documents: May 12, 2025
  8. Address to which documents should be submitted: personally or by post (stating “post-doc SONATA-BIS13”) to the Institute of Human Genetics PAS, 32 Strzeszyńska street, PL-60-479 Poznań or electronically to the following address: dzikiewicz-krawczyk@igcz.poznan.pl with “post-doc SONATA-BIS13” in the title.
  9. Link: http://bip.igcz.poznan.pl/konkurs/.
  10. Key words: IGH, B-cell lymphoma, enhancer, eRNA, small molecule
  11. Department / Team in which the candidate would work: Department of Molecular Pathology
  12. A concise description of the scientific research in which the candidate would participate:

 

The project is carried out within the SONATA BIS13 grant from the National Science Centre, Poland, project leader dr hab. Agnieszka Dzikiewicz-Krawczyk

Project title: “Targeting IGH enhancer RNAs as a therapeutic approach in B-cell lymphoma”

Research Description:

The characteristic feature of several B-cell lymphomas are translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) locus and oncogenes such as MYC, BCL2, BCL6, CCND1. As a result, the translocated oncogenes are placed under the control of IGH enhancers (Eµ, 3’RR1 and 3’RR2) which drive their expression and lymphomagenesis. In our previous study we identified exact regions in IGH enhancers critical for lymphoma cell growth and confirmed transcription of enhancer RNAs (eRNA) from these regions in cell lines and patients.

                The goal of this project is to develop a novel therapeutic approach for B-cell lymphoma based on targeting the IGH enhancer RNA. To this end, we will conduct a high-throughput screening for small molecules binding to the eRNA transcribed from the essential region in the IGH enhancers. Next, hit compounds will be validated for their effect on lymphoma cell growth and potential toxicity towards normal cells. Finally, selected compounds will be assessed in vivo in mouse xenograft models.

                Results of our project will indicate novel therapeutic opportunities for treatment of B-cell lymphomas. Our strategy will universally target IGH translocations, regardless of the oncogene involved. This may be especially relevant for the group of so-called double hit B-cell lymphoma patients (with two oncogenes translocated to IGH), who in general respond poorly to current treatment regimens. Results of this pre-clinical proof of concept study will provide novel B-cell lymphoma therapeutics with a direct translation to clinical studies.

Key responsibilities:

  1. Active participation in the implementation of experimental tasks of the project (validation of the identified hit compounds in lymphoma cell lines: cell culture, molecular analyses and functional studies, assessment of efficacy and safety in vivo in mouse xenograft models) and analysis of results.
  2. Presentation of results at seminars and conferences and participation in writing scientific publications.
  3. Writing review papers.
  4. Supervision of students.

II. Requirements for candidates:

  1. PhD degree in the field of in biological, chemical or medical sciences, obtained no earlier than in 2018 (this period may be extended by the time spent on leave related to the care and upbringing of the child).
  2. Knowledge and skills in molecular biology.
  3. Scientific achievements in the form of publications in the field of biological and/or medical sciences.
  4. Fluent knowledge of English in speech and writing.
  5. Independence, high motivation for work in science, problem solving.
  6. Ability to teamwork.
  7. Experience in cell culture and working with animals will be an additional asset.
  8. During the employment period, the Employee will not receive any other remuneration from the funds allocated as direct costs from research projects financed under NCN calls.
  9. During the employment period, the Employee will not receive remuneration from another employer on the basis of an employment contract, including an employer based outside Poland.

III. A list of documents that the candidate should attach to the competition application:

  1. Application for employment, along with the address for correspondence and contact details (e-mail address and telephone number).
  2. Scan or photocopy of the university diploma.
  3. Scan or photocopy of the award of the degree (if applicable).
  4. Scan or photocopy of the diploma of obtaining a scientific title (if applicable).
  5. CV.
  6. A list of publications with the indication of a maximum of five most important works performed during the last 5 years of the candidate’s scientific work (after deduction of breaks in scientific work), patent applications, patents, implementations, research projects (if applicable).
  7. Information on the number of citations of publications without self-citations, the value of the Hirsch index and the number of years effectively worked in science (after deduction of breaks), (if applicable).
  8. A list of research projects (including application and implementation projects) that the Candidate was leading or was the main contractor and 1-3 most important publications resulting from the implementation of this project, or other measurable results of the project (if applicable).
  9. At least one opinion of an independent researcher (R3), specialist in the scope indicated in the Competition Announcement.
  10. No more than 3,500 printed characters (one A4 page) – summary of scientific interests, previous achievements, potential participation in research projects and research projects.
  11. Consent to the processing of personal data of the Candidate for the purposes of the Competition, (available at: http://bip.igcz.poznan.pl/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Zgoda-rekrutacja-Consent_for_the_processing.pdf ),
  12. Candidate’s statement about getting acquainted with the Regulations for conducting competitions for scientific positions at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań. (available at: http://bip.igcz.poznan.pl/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Oswiadczenie_regulamin-Statement_Regulations.pdf),
  13. Candidate’s statement that, in case of winning the competition, the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań will be the main place of employment. (available at: http://bip.igcz.poznan.pl/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Oswiadczenie_miejsce_pracy-Statement_place_of_work.pdf).

IV. Criteria for the evaluation of candidates

  1. Creativity measured by the quality and number of scientific publications in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding author, or significant author, and patent applications / patents and / or implementations,
  2. Mobility in scientific career (including academic internships, change of scientific profile, internships and work in industry),
  3. Number of citations of the candidate’s works, especially those in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding or significant author,
  4. Creativity measured by the quality and number of research projects,
  5. Opinion of an independent researcher (R3),
  6. Any breaks in the scientific work and indicated achievements of the candidate converted into effective years of scientific work,
  7. Experience in cell culture and working with animals.

V. Announcement of results

Up to 30 days from the deadline for submitting documents.

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Each of the submitted candidates will receive individual information about the results of the competition in relation to their person. Information on the winner of the competition will be provided on the Institute’s website.

VI. Planned employment: June 1, 2025

VII. Additional information:

dr hab. Agnieszka Dzikiewicz-Krawczyk, agnieszka.dzikiewicz-krawczyk@igcz.poznan.pl).

VIII. Information on the possibility of appeal of a candidate who has been negatively evaluated by the competition committee

Candidates who have been negatively evaluated by the Competition Commission have the right to appeal against the results of the assessment. The appeal is submitted to the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of negative feedback from the selection board. The decision of the Director of the Institute is final.

Pages: 1 2
Back