Recruitment

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

CITY: Wrocław

POSITION: PhD student–scholarship holder in an NCN research project

SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE: Medical sciences

DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT: 25 August 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 14 September 2025

RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: 29 September 2025

LINK TO WSD IPAN WEBSITE: http://wsdipan.intibs.pl

LINK TO IITD PAN WEBSITE: http://hirszfeld.pl

KEYWORDS: nociception; cancer pain; cancer neuroscience; optogenetics; chemogenetics; peptidergic sensory neurons; noradrenergic system; in vivo functional imaging; optical tissue clearing; light-sheet imaging.

The Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences announces special recruitment for a PhD student and scholarship position in the research project entitled “Modulation of peptidergic nociceptors in control of nociception and cancer growth” (NCN grant no. UMO-2022/47/D/NZ4/02676) in the Cancer Neurophysiology Research Group (Kucharczyk Lab) at Łukasiewicz–PORT and in the Experimental Anti-Cancer Therapy Laboratory (Wietrzyk Lab) at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS in Wrocław.

We offer work in dynamic and friendly research teams investigating interactions between the nervous system and tumors, contributing to the emerging and rapidly developing field of Cancer Neuroscience.

Links:

https://port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl/centra-br/centrum-nauk-o-zyciu-i-biotechnologii/grupa-badawcza-onkologii-neurofizjologicznej/ (Kucharczyk Lab)

https://hirszfeld.pl/struktura/laboratoria/laboratorium-doswiadczalnej-terapii-przeciwnowotworowej/ (Wietrzyk Lab)

The research and doctoral thesis will be carried out within the project: “Noradrenergic modulation of central sensory endings” (NCN grant no. UMO-2022/47/D/NZ4/02676) and through statutory funding at Łukasiewicz–PORT.

I. Project description

The PhD student will receive comprehensive training in in vivo neurophysiology techniques, with particular emphasis on functional optical imaging and optogenetics. The aim of the project is to understand Adra2c-dependent descending noradrenergic modulation of peptidergic nociceptors and their role in modulating nociception and neurogenic regulation of tumor growth.

II. Responsibilities:

• Work in a team under the supervision of a postdoc and/or project leader, including:
  • managing transgenic animal colonies,
  • delivering transgenes via viral vectors (BSL2),
  • in vivo imaging of DRG neurons and their central terminals,
  • performing histological analyses (IHC, PACT, RNAscope),
  • operating light-sheet microscopy for reconstruction of optically cleared tissues.
• Diligent completion of assigned tasks,
• Continuous scientific development and knowledge expansion,
• Participation in the WSD IPAN doctoral program.

III. Candidate requirements:

• Master’s degree in neurobiology, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, or a related field,
• Proficiency in English (spoken, written, and reading),
• Knowledge of molecular and genetic techniques (including basics of opto/chemogenetics),
• Knowledge of histological and optical structural imaging techniques,
• Understanding of in vivo functional optical imaging techniques (linear and nonlinear microscopy, including multiphoton),
• Willingness and aptitude to work with rodents for the duration of the project (including completion of POLLASA animal handling course),
• Motivation for laboratory work, scientific curiosity, and willingness to continuously develop skills,
• Willingness to collaborate with national and international partners.

IV. Scholarship regulations:

The PhD student will receive a 48-month scholarship comprising the doctoral scholarship specified in Art. 209(1) of the Higher Education and Science Act (Journal of Laws 2023, item 742), partly funded by NCN research project funds, including social security coverage as per Art. 6(1)(7b) of the Social Security Act (Journal of Laws 2024, item 497).

Rates effective from 1 January 2024:

• Years 1–2 (before mid-term evaluation): PLN 3,466.90 gross/month
• Years 3–4 (after mid-term evaluation): PLN 5,340.90 gross/month

Scholarships will be paid on the basis of an agreement for the implementation of a doctoral scholarship, in the part constituting a research scholarship funded from NCN scientific scholarship funds. The conditions of payment and the amount of both scholarships are regulated by the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws 2023, item 742) and the Regulations on the Award of Research Scholarships in Research Projects Funded by the National Science Centre in Kraków, adopted by NCN Resolution No. 25/2019 of 14 March 2019. The research and doctoral dissertation will be carried out as part of the research project entitled “Modulation of peptidergic nociceptors in control of nociception and cancer growth” (grant no. UMO-2022/47/D/NZ4/02676) implemented in the Cancer Neurophysiology Research Group at Łukasiewicz–PORT and in the Experimental Anti-Cancer Therapy Laboratory at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław. Recruitment is conducted in accordance with the NCN Regulations on the Award of Research Scholarships in Research Projects, the uniform text of which is annexed to NCN Council Resolution No. 25/2019 of 14 March 2019, the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science, and the Recruitment Rules of the Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The scope of work in the research project and the terms of payment are specified in the “Agreement for the implementation of a doctoral scholarship from funds awarded for NCN scientific scholarships.”

V. Required documents:

• Completed integrated form (downloadable from the WSD IPAN website) containing: application for admission to the School, personal questionnaire, and declaration that WSD IPAN will be the only doctoral school attended if admitted;
• Curriculum vitae including a list of scientific publications, scholarships and awards, a list of conferences attended with titles and authors of presentations;
• Motivation letter with a brief description of research interests and scientific achievements, and justification for the intention to undertake doctoral training;
• Copy of 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;
• Copy (or scan) of the complete transcript from first- and second-cycle studies (or long-cycle Master’s studies), or diploma supplement with grades from the entire study period, or student record cards from all years of study certified by the dean’s office;
• English language proficiency certificate at B2 level or higher (not required for candidates who passed an equivalent final exam during their studies);
• One or more letters of recommendation;
• Other: certificate of completion of the POLLASA course authorizing work with animals.

VI. Submission of applications:

Applications must be submitted by 14 September 2025, 3:00 PM:

• electronically to the email address: (with “Recruitment no. 6” in the subject line; 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 Dr. Mateusz Kucharczyk (email: ).

VII. Candidate evaluation criteria:

The criteria are described in the applicable NCN Regulations on the Award of Research Scholarships in Research Projects (NCN Resolution No. 25/2019 of 14 March 2019) and in the WSD IPAN Recruitment Rules.

VIII. Information clause:

Pursuant to 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 – GDPR), I inform you that:

• The administrator of your personal data is the Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław.
• You can contact the data controller by post at the above address, by phone at +48 71 370 99 40, or contact the designated Data Protection Officer (DPO) in all matters concerning data processing at or by post to the Institute’s address.
• Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of carrying out recruitment for the research project “Modulation of peptidergic nociceptors in control of nociception and cancer growth” (NCN grant no. UMO-2022/47/D/NZ4/02676) and for admission to the Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Data will be processed pursuant to the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR), the legitimate interests of the Controller related to project implementation (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR), and as necessary to conclude the NCN scholarship agreement (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).
• Providing your personal data is voluntary but necessary for the purposes indicated above.
• Personal data collected during the recruitment process will be stored for the duration of the recruitment process.
• You have the right to: access your personal data, request rectification, request erasure, request restriction of processing, and object to processing based on your particular situation.
• You have the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office if you consider that the Controller has infringed personal data protection regulations.
• No decisions will be taken by automated means (including profiling) as a result of the processing.
• Personal data may be disclosed to our authorized employees, processors acting on our behalf (e.g., IT or accounting service providers), and personal data of the selected candidate may be disclosed to third parties authorized by law.