General Information

INSTITUTION: Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of Polish Academy of Sciences

CITY: Wroclaw

POSITION: PhD student partially financed by Polish National Science Center (NCN)

SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE: biological sciences

ANNOUNCED: 22.07.2022

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 31.08.2022

THE OUTCOME OF THE RECRUITMENT: 20.09.2022

PREFERRED JOB STARTING DATE: 1.10.2022

WDS IPAS website: http://wsdipan.intibs.pl/index_en.html

Hirszfeld Institute website: https://hirszfeld.pl/

KEYWORDS: aortic valve bioprosthesis, human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (HATMSC), calcification, mRNA expression, protein expression, immunofluorescence, biocompatibility

The Wrocław Doctoral School of Polish Academy of Sciences Institutes announces special recruitment for a PhD student-scholarship holder in the research project entitled: “Anti-calcification treatment of elastin-rich bioprosthetic materials using Fetuin A for aortic valved conduits” financed by the National Science Center (grant No. 2021/03/Y/ST5/00219) in the Laboratory of Biology of Stem and Neoplastic Cells at the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences.

We offer work in a specialized research facility, in a dynamic and friendly team dealing with in vitro study in the field of regenerative medicine and basic research on stem and cancer cells.

I. Project description

The research and doctoral thesis will be carried out as a part of the research project entitled "Coating of elastin-rich aortic valve bioprosthesis with Fetuin A to prevent calcification (VENUS)", financed by the National Science Center (grant no. 2021/03 / Y / ST5 / 00219).

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of death in the world. Aortic valve defects strongly contribute to these statistics leading to heart valve repair or replacement. Promising approach are  biological heart valve bioprosthesis made of porcine or bovine tissue, however, their lifetime is limited due to inflammation and further calcification processes. The PhD project aims to investigate biofunctionalization of aortic valve bioprostesis coated with HATMSC-derived trophic factors. First, the effect of HATMSC-derived trophic factors on human endothelial cells (ECs) and human vascular smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) subjected to in vitro calcification model will be investigated. In the next step, immunomodulatory and anti-calcification effects of HATMSC-derived trophic factors embedded on valve bioprosthesis will be assessed. The research methodology will involve cell culture methods, optimization of calcification model, molecular biology techniques, fluorescent microscopy imaging and in vitro functional tests such as activation of macrophages, activation of osteogenic markers in target cells and in vitro biocompatibility.

II. Requirements

Only a person who does not hold a doctoral degree may enter the competition.

• MSc degree (or equivalent) in biotechnology, biology or related fields (defended before the start of the work on the project, i.e., no later than 30.09.2022),
• Research interests in the field of cell biology, molecular biology, biomaterials
• High grade from studies
• Good knowledge of English, spoken and written
• Conscientiousness, motivation to research work, independence, ability to work in a team, creativity, high personal culture, enthusiasm
• Knowledge and experience in laboratory work in the field of cell cultures, DNA and / or RNA isolation techniques, PCR, qPCR, western blot, immunocytochemical staining
• Eligibility for PhD studies in Poland

III. Legal basis for recruitment

Recruitment is carried out in accordance with the Act of 20 July 2018 (Law on Higher Education and Science), Recruitment Rules for the Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of Polish Academy of Sciences, and - to the applicable extent - Terms and regulations on awarding funding for research tasks funded or co-funded under international calls launched by the National Science Centre and carried out as multilateral collaboration UNISONO, Annex to NCN Council Resolution No 137/2020 of 11 December 2020.

IV. Candidates Evaluation

During the recruitment, the Candidate's assessment will be carried out in accordance with the criteria established for recruitment to the Doctoral School and scholarship eligibility criteria, , taking into account the overall assessment of the candidate's suitability for the implementation of tasks provided for in the research project entitled: “Anti-calcification treatment of elastin-rich bioprosthetic materials using Fetuin A for aortic valved conduits”.

V. Duties and obligations

• Planning and carrying out research related to the implementation of the doctoral project (including cell line culture, in vitro biocompatibility tests, development of an in vitro calcification model, isolation of DNA, RNA, and proteins, analysis of mRNA (real time PCR) and protein expression (immunocytochemistry, western blot))
• Data analysis, preparation of reports and scientific publications
• Cooperation with team members, preparation of reagents, securing and transporting research material, taking care of graduate students and apprentices, participation in scientific conferences
• Implementation of tasks resulting from the duties of a doctoral student at the IPAN Doctoral School in Wrocław

VI. Scholarship

A candidate will receive a doctoral scholarship funded by the National Science Center on the basis of the Act of 20 July 2018 Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1668, as amended) and according to  Terms and regulations on awarding funding for research tasks funded or co-funded under international calls launched by the National Science Centre and carried out as multilateral collaboration UNISONO, Annex to NCN Council Resolution No 137/2020 of 11 December 2020 for 33 months. The remaining 15 months of the studies will be financed by the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław in the amount consistent with Art. 209 paragraph. 1 point 4 of the Act of July 20, 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1668, as amended), the regulations of the WSD IPAN and the ordinance of the Director No. Wrocław PhD students of WSD Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The approximate doctoral scholarship amounts according to Art. 209 paragraph 1 of the Act of 20 July 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1668, as amended):

2,371.70 PLN gross monthly to the month of mid-term evaluation of the PhD student in the Doctoral School

3,653.70 PLN gross monthly after the month of mid-term evaluation of the PhD student in the Doctoral School

The  scientific scholarship will be paid on the basis of a contract and the above-mentioned Regulations for the granting of scholarships.

VII. Applications

Applications for admission to the School must be submitted by 31.08.2022 before 3:00 p.m.

• in person at the School premises (i.e. at the Secretariat of the Institute of Low Temperatures and Structural Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences at Okólna Street 2 in Wrocław) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or
• by e-mail to (with the note: recruitment for AKlimczak), the original documents should be however delivered before the beginning of the education (failure to meet this requirement will result in the removal from the list of doctoral students).

For further information please contact Professor Aleksandra Klimczak (e-mail: , tel. +48 71 370 99 30 ext. 118) or dr Honorata Kraśkiewicz (e-mail: , tel. +48 71 370 99 30 ext. 238).

VIII. Required documents

• The application should include a filled application form downloaded from the WSD IPAN website containing: application for admission to the School, personal questionnaire and a declaration that in the event of admission to the WSD IPAN it will be the only doctoral school in which the Candidate will study;
• curriculum vitae 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 speeches;
• a cover letter containing a short description of scientific interests and achievements as well as justification of the intention to start education at the doctoral school;
• a copy of the diploma confirming graduation or a certificate of obtaining a master's degree, or a certificate of the set date of defense;
• a copy of the entire index of first-level and second-level studies, or a diploma supplement with grades for the entire studies, or student grading cards for all years of study, confirmed by the dean's office;

IX. Information clause for the recruitment process

In accordance with articles 13 pt 1 and 2 of The General Data Protection Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 of 27th April 2016 concerning the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and directive 95/46/WE (Dz. Urz. UE L 119/1 0f 04/05/2016)- henceforth “GDPR” - we inform you that:

1) The administrators of your personal data are:

a) the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Okólna 2, 50-422 Wrocław,

b) the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences. Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław