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

CITY: Wroclaw

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

SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE: biological sciences

ANNOUNCED: 18.07.2022

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 05.09.2022

THE OUTCOME OF THE RECRUITMENT: 23.09.2022

PREFERRED JOB STARTING DATE: 03.10.2022

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

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

Laboratory website: https://hirszfeld.pl/en/structure/laboratories/laboratory-of-molecular-biology-of-microorganisms/

KEYWORDS: bacterial response to oxidative stress, redox-switch regulator activity control, HP1021 orphan response regulator, Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, Aliarcobacter butzleri.

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: “The role of HP1021-like orphan response regulators in physiology and virulence of selected pathogenic species of Epsilonproteobacteria” financed by the National Science Center (grant No. 2019/33/B/NZ6/01648) in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms at the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław.

We offer studies and the implementation of a doctoral project in a specialized research laboratory, in a dynamic and friendly team dealing with selected issues of molecular biology of microorganisms, in particular the mechanisms of response to oxidative stress in Campylobactreota (e.g. Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni and Aliarcobacter butzleri).

I. Project description

Research and doctoral dissertation will be carried out as part of the research project “The role of HP1021-like orphan response regulators in physiology and virulence of selected pathogenic species of Epsilonproteobacteria”  financed by the National Science Center (grant No. 2019/33/B/NZ6/01648). In the project, we want to describe the role of HP1021 regulator in the response of selected bacterial species (H. pylori, C. jejuni and A. butzleri) to stress factors, mainly oxidative stress. These bacteria are pathogens (H. pylori, C. jejuni) or emerging pathogens (A. butzleri), raising a severe threat to human health.

The proposed PhD project aims to characterize the response regulator HP1021, conserved for all Campylobacterota (https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkab440; doi: 10.1128 / JB.01827-06; 10.1128/JB.187.9.3100-3109.2005). In particular, the PhD project aims to understand the molecular mechanism of HP1021 activity control in the context of species specificity and ecological niches inhabited by each strain. Research methods applied include, among others, gene cloning, purification of recombinant proteins, targeted mutagenesis, analysis of nucleoprotein and protein interactions under conditions mimicking the activity of a stress factor, biochemical, instrumental and in vivo analyses of the influence of ligands and post-translational modifications on the activity of HP1021.

II. Requirements

• 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),
• knowledge in the field of biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry
• experience in laboratory work related to molecular biology and microbiology, especially in protein engineering, biochemistry, and mutagenesis.
• ability to work with microorganisms included in safety cat 2, including GMM cat 2
• Good written and oral communication in English
• Eligibility for PhD studies in Poland

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 - Regulations on the award of scholarships in research projects financed from the National Science Center funds on March 14, 2019, the current consolidated text of which is attached to the resolution of the Council of the National Science Center No. 25/2019.

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 to the extent enabling the award of the NCN scientific scholarship, taking into account the overall assessment of the candidate's suitability for the implementation of tasks provided for in the research project entitled: “The role of HP1021-like orphan response regulators in physiology and virulence of selected pathogenic species of Epsilonproteobacteria”

V. Duties and obligations 

• Planning and carrying out research related to the implementation of the doctoral project (including gene cloning, protein purification, in vitro and in vivo mutagenesis, analysis of protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions, biochemical analysis of proteins)
• 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 and internships
• Implementation of tasks resulting from the duties of a doctoral student at the IPAN Doctoral School in Wrocław

Upon obtaining doctoral status, the candidate will receive a doctoral scholarship, the amount of which is regulated by Art. 209 paragraph 1 of the Act of 20 July 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1668, as amended), where the PhD student will be covered by the costs of social insurance, referred to in Art.6 clause 1 point 7b of the Act of 13 October 1998 on the social insurance system (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 300, 303 and 730).

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):

371. PLN 2,371.70 gross monthly to the month of mid-term evaluation of the PhD student in the Doctoral School
372. PLN 3,653.70 gross monthly after the month of mid-term evaluation of the PhD student in the Doctoral School

If during the recruitment, the candidate also meets the requirements for granting scientific scholarships, specified in the Regulations on the award of scholarships in research projects financed from the National Science Center funds on March 14, 2019, the current consolidated text of which is attached to the resolution of the Council of the National Science Center No. 25/2019., will receive an additional financial benefit in the form of an NCN scholarship for 19 months duration, in the approximate amount of  2 225, 00 PLN per month (i.e. total scholarship for the first 19 months of the PhD projects is estimated to be 5000 PLN including all costs; after 19 months: 5 months 2 371.70 PLN gross and next 24 months 3 653. 70 PLN gross).

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 05.09.2022 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 in Anna Pawlik project), 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 Anna Pawlik, PhD (e-mail: , phone: +48713371172 ext. 176, or +48713709949), see also webpage https://hirszfeld.pl/en/structure/laboratories/laboratory-of-molecular-biology-of-microorganisms/.

VIII. Required documents

According to the rules of recruitment for WDS IPAS (https://www.intibs.pl/en/for-students/rules-of-recruitment.html). In particular:

• The application should include a filled application form (downloaded from https://www.intibs.pl/en/for-students/rules-of-recruitment.html) and presented in Polish or English:
• CV proving the candidate's suitability for scientific work (list of publications and conference presentations, list of completed courses and postgraduate studies, obtained language certificates, activity in scientific clubs, etc.);
• a motivation letter
• diplomas: diplomas: graduation from Bachelor's (engineering) and Master's (if the latter has already been awarded) studies,

[in the case of candidates who do not meet this condition: (1) a copy of the diploma of completion of first-cycle or third-year master's degree studies and (2) an application to the School Council for admission to recruitment, including a description of proven scientific achievement of the highest quality],

• a copy of the complete first-cycle and second-cycle (or long-cycle) applicant's Transcript of Records (or equivalent), or a supplement to the diploma with grades from the entire course of study, or a student grading card from all years of study, certified by the Dean's Office,
• English certificate at B2 or higher level (does not apply to candidates who have passed the exam finishing the course at this level in the course of their studies),
• if possible, please provide one or more recommendation letters

In the case of foreigners who have obtained a professional title at a university outside the European Union, it is additionally required to authenticate documents confirming that the title has been obtained by NAWA (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) (https://nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition).

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