Recruitment

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: 05.07.2024

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30.08.2024

THE OUTCOME OF THE RECRUITMENT: 20.09.2024

PREFERRED JOB STARTING DATE: 1.10.2024

WDS IPAS website: https://www.intibs.pl/en/for-students/doctoral-school.html

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

KEYWORDS: electrospun scaffold, factors from mesenchynal stem cells, bacteriophages, MXenes, wounds

The Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of Polish Academy of Sciences announces special recruitment for a PhD student-scholarship holder in the research project entitled: “Electrospun scaffolds with antimicrobial and wound-healing capabilities utilizing bacteriophages, mesenchymal stem cell–derived factors and MXenes” financed by the National Science Center (grant No. UMO-2023/05/Y/ST5/00251) 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 research in the field of regenerative medicine and basic research on stem and cancer cells.

https://hirszfeld.pl/en/structure/laboratories/laboratory-of-biology-of-stem-and-neoplastic-cells-2/

Project description

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. This 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.

We offer:

• the opportunity to acquire a wide range of new skills and develop your own research ideas
• professional development through internal and external training, active participation in scientific conferences
• participation in interdisciplinary research and cooperation with foreign partners and an economic partner
• doctoral and research scholarship (financed by the National Science Center) for a period of 4 years

Scholarship

As part of the research project, the PhD student-scholarship holder 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 scholarship in the amount of PLN 1,000 gross per month (for the entire period of 48 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: “Electrospun scaffolds with antimicrobial and wound-healing capabilities utilizing bacteriophages, mesenchymal stem cell–derived factors and MXenes” financed by the National Science Center (grant No. UMO-2023/05/Y/ST5/00251).

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".

Duties and obligations

• Cell line culture such as mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes and other cells
• in vitro biocompatibility tests,
• Bioactivity tests in an in vitro wound model (angiogenesis test, wound closure test, cell metabolic activity tests)
• Data analysis, preparation of reports and scientific publications
• Cooperation with team members, preparing reagents, securing and transporting research material, taking care of master's students and interns, participating in scientific conferences
• Implementation of tasks resulting from the duties of a doctoral student at the IPAN Doctoral School in Wrocław

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 30.09.2024),
• Research interests in the field of cell biology and 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 (supported by the subject of a bachelor's, master's thesis, research) in the field of cell cultures, DNA and / or RNA isolation techniques, PCR, qPCR, western blot, immunocytochemical staining would be an advance
• Eligibility for PhD studies in Poland

Required documents

Recruitment is conducted in accordance with the Recruitment Regulations for WDS IPAN for the academic year 2024/2025:

https://www.intibs.pl/images/Szkola_doktorska/Rekrutacja_2023/Recruitment_rules_WDS_IPAS_2022.pdf

https://www.intibs.pl/en/for-students/rules-of-recruitment.html

• The application should include a filled application form downloaded from the WSD IPAN website containing: application for admission to the School, personal questionnaire and;
• 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 declaration that in the event of admission to the WSD IPAN it will be the only doctoral school in which the Candidate will study
• a copy of the diploma confirming graduation or a certificate of obtaining a master's degree. In the case of obtaining a professional title Master outside the European Union - additionally originals of Master’s diploma and its transcript with grades, both certified with an apostille or authenticating (legalization) in the diplomatic representation of the Republic of Poland (in that country), delivered not later than before the commencement of education. Documents submitted without proper authentication will be considered as not meeting formal requirements);
• 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;
• English language proficiency certificate at level B2 or higher (does not apply to candidates who passed the final exam at this level during their studies),
• one or more letters of recommendation (sent to the addresses and )

Applications

Applications for admission to the School must be submitted by 30.08.2024 before 3:00 p.m.

• electronically to the address (with the note: ”PhD in MSC cells” recruitment), original documents must be submitted before the start of PhD, or
• 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.

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

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: : “Electrospun scaffolds with antimicrobial and wound-healing capabilities utilizing bacteriophages, mesenchymal stem cell–derived factors and MXenes” financed by the National Science Center (grant No. UMO-2023/05/Y/ST5/00251). 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.