General Information

INSTITUTION: Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences

CITY: Wroclaw

POSITION: PhD Student-Fellow in the NCN Research Project

SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE: Biological Sciences

DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: July 23, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 10,  2025

COMPETITION RESULT DATE: September 26, 2025

WSD IPAN WEBSITE: https://wsdipan.intibs.pl

IITD PAN WEBSITE: https://hirszfeld.pl

KEYWORDS: Klebsiella, O antigen, K antigen, lipopolysaccharide, LPS, CPS, NMR, O locus, , K locus, O serotype, K serotype, WGS, Kaptive, antibodies

The Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (WDS IPAS) announces a special recruitment process for a PhD student-fellow in the research project titled “Decoding novel O/K loci of Klebsiella pneumoniae into chemical O/K antigen structures – towards better adjustment of bactericidal therapies and epidemiological studies”, funded by the National Science Centre (NCN, Grant No. 2024/53/B/NZ7/04138). The project will be conducted in the Laboratory of Microbial Immunochemistry and Vaccines at the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, in Wrocław.

We offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and collaborative team focusing on experimental therapies. Lab website: https://hirszfeld.pl/en/structure/laboratories/laboratory-of-microbial-immunochemistry-and-vaccines/

DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT:

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is Gram-negative bacillus characterised by emerging multidrug-resistance (MDR). It belongs to ESKAPE group of pathogens and was placed by WHO on the Priority 1 list of pathogens (called “critical”). Treatment options against CPKP and MDR Kp are limited to only several last-line antibiotics. Alternative therapeutic approaches under development (protective antibodies) are targeting major surface antigens of Kp, the capsular polysaccharide (CPS, K antigen) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, O antigen). To make such new immunotherapies effective, the complete knowledge about O/K antigens diversity and their distribution among clinical isolates is mandatory.

For years random structural analyses of K. pneumoniae O antigens (LPS) have indicated their surprisingly limited diversity (11 O serotypes). Lukasiewicz’s research team (ORCID: 0000-0001-8081-7261; https://hirszfeld.pl/en/structure/laboratories/laboratory-of-microbial-immunochemistry-and-vaccines/), including PhD students, has made a major contribution to broadening the knowledge about diversity of Kp O antigens (O3a, O3b, variant 2 of O1 and O2, O13).

Rapid genomic characterization and global surveillance of Kp using WGS and bioinformatics (e.i. Kaptive tool) clearly show the greater diversity of new O/K antigens (2,4-19%) and the need to characterise O/K antigens genotype/phenotype (structure) relationships. To solve the problem, we have established cooperation with inventors of Kaptive’s from the Monash University in Australia. They shared with us Kp clinical isolates characterised by novel O loci encoding O/K antigens. Additionally, it is planned to investigate the susceptibility of strains with new serotypes O and K to the action of complement - a mechanism of the innate response of the human immune system.

You will be a member of interdisciplinary team with expertise in microbiology, structural analysis of carbohydrates with bioinformatics of bacterial genomes and biological assays.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU:

• opportunity to acquire a broad range of new skills, operation of the research equipment (NMR, mass spectrometry, SPR, GC-MS, HPLC, flow cytometry, serological methods) and develop independent research ideas
• support for professional development through internal and external training as well as personalized mentoring
• development opportunities via collaboration with other research centers
• PhD scholarship (funded by NCN and IITD PAN) for 4 years and NCN scholarship (3 years).

FORMAL REGULATIONS REGARDING THE SCHOLARSHIP:

The PhD student-fellow will receive a scholarship for 48 months, which includes:

• doctoral scholarship, the amount of which is regulated by Art. 209 section 1 of the Act of July 20, 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 742), which is partially financed from funds allocated for NCN research scholarships as part of a research project, where the doctoral student will have social security costs covered, o referred to in Art. 6 section 1 point 7b of the Act of October 13, 1998 on the social security system (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 497), which from January 1, 2024 is:
• Year 1 and 2 (before mid-term evaluation): PLN 3,466.90 gross/month,
• Year 3 and 4 (after mid-term evaluation): PLN 5,340.90 gross/month
• and an additional NCN research scholarshipin the amount of PLN 600 grossper month (for the period of 36 months)

The scholarships will be paid on the basis of an agreement for the implementation of a doctoral scholarship in the part constituting a research scholarship from the funds allocated for NCN research scholarships, where the terms of payment and the amount of both scholarships are subject to regulations depending on the Act of July 20, 2018, Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws. Laws of 2023, item 742) and the Regulations for awarding research scholarships in research projects financed by the National Science Center in Kraków, adopted by NCN Resolution No. 25/2024 of March 4, 2024. The research and doctoral thesis will be carried out as part of research project: "Understanding the function of DTX3L ligase in an antiviral response induced by pattern recognition receptors (PRR)" carried out on behalf of the National Science Center (grant no. 2024/53/B/NZ3/03865).

Recruitment is carried out in accordance with the Regulations for awarding research scholarships in research projects financed by the National Science Center, the consolidated text of which is an annex to the Resolution of the Council of the National Science Center No. 25/2024 of March 4, 2024, Act of July 20, 2018. Law on higher education and science and the Rules of Recruitment to the Wroclaw Doctoral School of the Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The scope of work performed in the research project and the conditions for payment of funds are specified in the "Agreement for the implementation of a doctoral scholarship from funds granted for NCN research scholarships

PHD DESCRIPTION:

• conduct research to describe intracellular signaling pathways regulated by DTX3L upon activation by PRR ligands and during viral infections
• analyze immune responses using modern immunoenzymatic techniques
• diligently perform assigned tasks
• continually develop scientific knowledge and skills
• presentation of results at national and international scientific conferences
• implementation of the program of the Wroclaw Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences
• preparation of manuscripts for publication and scientific reports

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

• master’s degree in biology, biotechnology, microbiology, or related fields
• strong motivation for research, scientific curiosity, and willingness to collaborate with national and international partners
• experience in laboratory work, including analytical techniques, microbiological and immunoenzymatic method (knowledge of molecular biology techniques is welcome)
• effective communication skills and practical knowledge of English
• teamwork skills, eagerness to teach and supervise students and interns
• no contraindications for working with lab. animals (mice)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• the application form for admission to WDS IPAN, along with a statement confirming familiarity with the recruitment regulations, is available at WDS IPAN Recruitment Regulations (https://www.intibs.pl/en/for-students/rules-of-recruitment.html);
• CV and a completed personal questionnaire containing a list of scientific publications, scholarships and awards, a list of conferences in which the Candidate participated along with the titles and authors of the presentations, in accordance with the document Principles of recruitment to the Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences;
• a motivation letter providing a brief description of the candidate's scientific interests and achievements, along with the reasoning for pursuing education at the doctoral school;
• a declaration stating that WDS IPAN will be the only doctoral school the candidate will attend;
• a copy or certified transcript of a diploma confirming the completion of a master’s degree or a certificate of obtaining the degree. For diplomas obtained outside the European Union, the original diploma and a transcript of grades must be certified with an apostille or legalized at the Polish diplomatic mission in the relevant country. Documents without proper authentication will not meet formal requirements;
• a copy or certified transcript of the index (student record book) from first- and second-cycle studies (or uniform master’s studies). Alternatively, a diploma supplement with grades from the entire course of study or student grade sheets confirmed by the dean's office;
• A certificate confirming knowledge of English at level B2 or higher (not required for candidates who have passed a course-ending exam at this level during their studies);
• Contact information for 1–2 referees or 1–2 reference letters from previous employers or academic supervisors;

Applications for admission to the Doctoral School must be submitted by September 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM:

• electronically to the email address: (preferred submission method). Originals of the educational documents must be delivered before the start of the program (failure to comply will result in removal from the list of doctoral students).
• in person at the Secretariat of the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS, located at Weigla 12, Wrocław, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

For additional information, please contact prof. Jolanta Łukasiewicz (e-mail: ) 

CANDIDATE EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The criteria for assessing candidates are described in the applicable Regulations for awarding research scholarships in research projects financed by the National Science Center in Krakow, adopted by NCN resolution No. 25/2024 of March 4, 2024, and the Regulations of the Wroclaw Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

We reserve the right not to select a candidate for the above position.

INFORMATION CLAUSE:

Based on Article. 13 of 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 ) (OJ EU L 119 of 04/05/2016, p. 1), hereinafter referred to as "GDPR", I inform that:

The administrator of your personal data is the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy. Ludwik Hirszfeld Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław, ul. Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław

You can contact the personal data administrator by post to the address given in point 1 above, or by phone at 71 3709940, and the data protection officer appointed by him can be contacted in all matters relating to data processing via the e-mail account:  or by post to the registered office address.

Personal data will be processed for the purpose of carrying out the administrator's tasks related to recruitment for the research project titled: "Understanding the function of DTX3L ligase in an antiviral response induced by pattern recognition receptors (PRR)" carried out on behalf of the National Science Center (grant no. 2024/53/B/NZ3/03865) and to the Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, thus Mrs. /Your personal data will be processed on the basis of the Act of July 20, 2018, Law on Higher Education and Science (Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Administrator related to the implementation of the research project (Article 6(1)(c) 1 letter f of the GDPR) and in connection with their necessity to conclude the NCN scholarship agreement (Article 6(1)(b) of the GDPR).

Providing your personal data is voluntary, but necessary to achieve the above-mentioned purposes.

Personal data collected in the current recruitment process will be stored for the recruitment period.

The person whose data is processed has the right to: access personal data, request rectification of personal data, request deletion of personal data, request restriction of personal data processing, and object to data processing due to a special situation.

The person whose data is processed also has the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Office for Personal Data Protection if it is found that the Administrator has violated the provisions on the protection of personal data.

As a result of processing, decisions will not be made in an automated manner (without human participation), and they will not be based on profiling.

Personal data may be made available to our authorized employees, processing entities, i.e. those performing activities on our behalf (e.g. IT, accounting services), and the personal data of the Candidate selected in the competition may then be made available to third parties authorized by law.