Open positions

Announcement of the competition for a position of an adjunct (1/WC/2023)

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 adjunct at the Department of Molecular and Clinical Genetics 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 2016, item 572, 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: postdoc (adjunct)
    4. Discipline: medical sciences
    5. Number of vacancies: 1
    6. Planned remuneration: ca. 9 800 PLN gross per month, ca. 7 000 PLN net per month, full time employment contract starting at 06.2023.
    7. Deadline for documents submission 10.03.2023.
    8. Address to which documents should be submitted: in person or via registered mail to Institute of Human Genetics PAS, ul. Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479 Poznań or by e-mail to: zuzanna.bukowy-bieryllo@igcz.poznan.pl, with annotation: “Postdoc OPUS23”
    9. Link: http://igcz.poznan.pl/en/open-positions
    10. Keywords: primary cilia, motile cilia, ciliary basal body, ciliopathies, respiratory epithelial differentiation, ciliogenesis
    11. Department/Team where the Candidate would work: Department of Molecular and Clinical Genetics.
    12. A concise description of the scientific research:

The project is carried out within the OPUS23 grant from the National Science Centre, Poland, project leader is dr Zuzanna Bukowy-Bieryłło

Project title: “The intriguing protein OFD1 (oral-facial-digital syndrome 1), its interaction networks and the biogenesis of primary and motile cilia”.

Research description:

       Ciliopathies are a large group of genetic diseases caused by defects in the function of cilia – small organelles present on the surface of eukaryotic cells. Cilia consist of basal bodies anchored in the cell membrane, from which the main part of the cilium, the axoneme, grows. There are two main types of cilia, primary and motile, which differ in their main functions (sensing versus movement) and in number (primary cilia – one; motile cilia – hundreds per cell). Defects in the body’s primary cilia can cause a wide variety of symptom syndromes (ciliopathies), while dysfunction of the motile cilia causes only one type of ciliopathy, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). 

       OFD1 (Xp22.2), one of the ciliary basal body proteins, is essential for the biogenesis of primary and motile cilia. Our studies have shown that truncating mutations located at the C-terminus of the OFD1 protein (exons 21 or 22) cause only defects in the motile cilia (the classic PCD phenotype), without the severe neurological symptoms typical of other ciliopathies associated with this protein. Further studies have led to the hypothesis that the C-terminus of the OFD1 protein is important for cilia biogenesis.

The goal of the project is to elucidate the molecular interactions of the OFD1 protein in cells containing different truncating variants of the protein that affect only motile cilia or motile and primary cilia. We want to study how OFD1 truncation affects protein interactions, steps in cilia biogenesis and other OFD1-related cellular processes (DNA repair, chromatin remodeling).

       The project will utilize 2 cell lines capable of forming primary or motile cilia that have endogenously labeled OFD1. Into these lines, protein truncation mutations previously identified in patients will be introduced using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. The prepared lines will be analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation and advanced mass spectrometry. In addition, we will also use immunofluorescence (IF) staining, transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), cytometry and RNAseq to accurately characterize cilia biogenesis and other cellular processes. Some specific interactors will then be silenced in Danio rerio fish, in order to analyze their effects on motile cilia and embryonic development.

In summary, the project aims to decipher the effects of OFD1 protein truncation on the biogenesis of motile and primary cilia and to better understand the protein’s interaction network. It may also help explain the variability of symptoms in patients with various OFD1-related ciliopathies. The project will be carried out in collaboration with research groups from Germany and Portugal.

The project, “The intriguing OFD1 (oral-facial-digital syndrome 1) protein, its interaction networks and the biogenesis of primary and mobile cilia,” is being carried out under an OPUS23 grant awarded by the National Science Center.

Opportunities:

– learning a variety of modern molecular and cellular techniques

– working with a young, dedicated and enthusiastic scientific team

– participation in national and international training courses and scientific internships

– opportunity for rapid development of scientific career

Key responsibilities:

– Managing the daily work in the laboratory

– Design and performance of proteomic analyses (cell culture, co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry)

– Analysis of data from proteomics experiments, in silico analysis of protein interactions

– Validation of the obtained results

– Supervision of students

– Participation in cell cultures

– Reporting project progress reports, public presentation of results, preparation of manuscripts

– Collaboration with project partners, including short training trips to Germany

II. Requirements for candidates

  1. Ph.D. degree in molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, medicine or related field obtained no more than 7 years ago before the application. If the PhD degree was obtained from IHG PAS, a continuous and documented postdoctoral internship of at least 10 months abroad outside the IHG PAS must be demonstrated.
  2. During the period of employment, the Employee will not receive any other remuneration from funds allocated as direct costs from research projects funded under NCN competitions.
  3. During the period of employment, the Employee shall not draw remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside the territory of Poland.
  4. Strong knowledge of cell biology.
  5. Experience in such experimental techniques as:
  • Design and preparation of proteomics experiments, analysis and validation of results (co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, reverse co-immunoprecipitation).
  • Methods for analysis and validation of protein interaction networks using available in silico tools.

      6. Expertise in mammalian cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9, ability to analyze data in R will be highly   appreciated.

      7. Possession of scientific achievements in the form of publications in the area of medical or biological sciences. Participation in scientific conferences.

      8. Proficiency in the use of Office package.

      9. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

     10. Overseas internships/traineeships are welcome.

     11. Independence, problem-solving ability, perseverance and accuracy in work, high motivation to work in science, good work organization.

    12. Good collaborative and team work skills.

III. Required documents

  1. An application for employment with an address and contact details (email, telephone),
  2. A scan or a photocopy of the university diploma,
  3. A scan or a photocopy of a degree
  4. A scan or a photocopy of a scientific title diploma (if applicable),
  5. CV,
  6. A list of publications, in particular from the last 5 years of the candidate’s scientific work (after accounting for deduction of breaks in scientific work), list of patents/ patent  applications, implementations or implementation projects (if applicable),
  7. Information on number of citations (without self-citations), Hirsch index and the number of years effectively worked in science (after deduction of breaks) (if applicable),
  8. Number of research projects (also application ones) manged by the candidate or in which the candidate was the PI/ main contractor together with 1-3 main publications as project results or other measurable results of the project (if applicable),
  9. At least one opinion of an independent researcher, who is a specialist in a given field described in the announcement,
  10. A self-presentation containing information about scientific interests, current achievements, participation in research projects and description of own research projects, not exceeding 3 500 printing characters (max. 1 A4 page),
  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 ),

  1. 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),

  1. 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,  together  with patent applications/patents and/or implementations.
  2. Mobility in their scientific  career  (including completed academic  internships,  change  of scientific profile, internships and work in industry).
  3. The number  of  citations  of  the  candidate’s  publications,  especially  those  in  which  the candidate is the first author, corresponding author or significant author.
  4. Creativity measured by the quality and number of managed research projects.
  5. An opinion of an independent researcher (R3-R4).
  6. Any breaks in the scientific work and indicated achievements of the candidate converted into effective years of scientific work.

V. Announcement of results

Up to 30 days after the deadline of documents submission. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Each candidate will be individually informed of the results of the competition in relation to him/herself. Information on the winner of the competition will be published on the Institute’s website. The incomplete applications will not be considered.

VI. Planned period of employment

From 1.06.2023

VII. Additional information:

dr Zuzanna Bukowy-Bieryłło: zuzanna.bukowy-bieryllo@igcz.poznan.pl

 VIII. Appeal procedure.

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 Competition Commission. The decision of the Director of the Institute is final.

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