Assistant [1/WC/2024]

Instytut Genetyki Człowieka Polskiej Akademii Nauk; Poznań; Hybrid; PLN 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Human Genetics PAS in Poznań is seeking an assistant to join a team focused on (epi)genetic alterations in keratoconus. You will work on high-throughput omics analyses, laser microdissection, and sequencing components to unravel corneal biology under a senior PI. English fluency and strong research track required.

Supervision by Prof. Marzena Gajęcka; international mobility support and grant-writing assistance provided.

Qualifications

• PhD in medical sciences or related field, obtained by deadline.
• Strong genetics/epigenetics knowledge and molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with spatial transcriptomics, laser microdissection and data analysis in R.

Responsibilities

• Work on projects deciphering biological processes in keratoconus using omics analyses.
• Apply laser microdissection to separate corneal layers and regions.
• Use WGS/RNA-Seq and spatial transcriptomics to generate omics data.
• Contribute to bioinformatics and integration analyses under PI supervision.

Skills

Genetics

Epigenetics

Molecular biology

PCR

RT-qPCR

Sanger sequencing

Western blot

Spatial transcriptomics

Laser microdissection

R / RStudio

Bioinformatics

Education

PhD in medical sciences

Tools

10X Genomics

Pyrosequencing

dCas9 CRISPR epigenome editing

Job description

The Director of the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznan announces an open competition for the position of an assistant.

Offer no: 1/WC/2024

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions set out in the Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences (Journal of Laws of 2016, item 572, as amended) and the Regulations for conducting competitions for scientific positions at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznan.

I. General information

• Institution announcing the competition: Institute of Human Genetics PAS
• Position: assistant
• Discipline: medical sciences
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Planned remuneration:5100 PLN/month gross
• Address to which documents should be submitted personally or by post (stating “assistant DCG”) to the: Institute of Human Genetics PAS, 32 Strzeszyńska street, PL-60-479 Poznań or electronically to the following address: Marzena Gajęcka putting “assistant DCG” in the title.
• Key words: keratoconus, whole-genome sequencing, epigenetics, DNA methylation, laser microdissection.
• The main focus of our department is on researching (epi)genetic alterations in the course of keratoconus. The candidate will be mainly involved in current research projects aimed at deciphering the biological processes underlying keratoconus, based on high-throughput omics analyses. Laser microdissection is performed to identify and separate layers and topographic regions of the cornea. The methylome assessment will be carried out using the enzymatic method and whole-genome sequencing, the transcriptome assessment will be carried out using the RNA-Seq technique and spatial transcriptomics (10X Genomics), the genome assessment will be carried out based on WGS and ES analyses, and the epigenome assessment will be carried out using the ATAC- Seq.

Further stages of the research include bioinformatics and integration analyses, and the obtained results will be verified using the pyrosequencing method and functionally using the dCas9 CRISPR epigenome editing system.

The candidate will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of a PI, Prof. Marzena Gajęcka, experienced in international cooperation. Extensive support will be offered to the candidate for international mobility, grant writing, and reaching further career-steps.

II. Requirements for candidates:

• PhD degree in the field of medical sciences or related field, obtained no later than March 29, 2024.
• Knowledge and skills in the field of genetics and epigenetics, including molecular biology techniques (such as PCR, RT-qPCR, Sanger sequencing, Western Blot), practical knowledge of spatial transcriptomics technique, experience in performing laser microdissection, knowledge of cell culture and analysis of biological and clinical data in Rstudio (or other equivalent).
• Research track supported by publications in international scientific journals in the discipline of medical sciences.
• Experience in writing grant or other types of applications for funding.
• Polish or foreign internships/trainings.
• The license to practice as a laboratory diagnostician is preferred.
• Fluent knowledge of English in speech and writing.
• The ability to publicly present the results of scientific research in Polish and English
• Independence, high motivation for work in science, problem solving.
• Ability to teamwork.
• Taking up work at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences as the primary place of employment.
• The candidate will be invited for an interview.

III. A list of documents that the candidate should attach to the competition application:

• Application for employment, along with the address for correspondence and contact details (e-mail address and telephone number).
• Scan or photocopy of the university diploma.
• Scan or photocopy of the award of the degree (if applicable).
• Scan or photocopy of the diploma of obtaining a scientific title (if applicable).
• CV.
• A list of publications with the indication of a maximum of five most important works performed during the last 5 years of the candidate’s scientific work (after deduction of breaks in scientific work), patent applications, patents, implementations, research projects (if applicable).
• Information on the number of citations of publications or self-citations, the value of the Hirsch index and the number of years effectively worked in science (after deduction of breaks), (if applicable).
• A list of research projects (including application and implementation projects) that the Candidate was leading or was the main contractor and 1-3 most important publications resulting from the implementation of this project, or other measurable results of the project (if applicable).
• At least one opinion of an independent researcher (R3), specialist in the scope indicated in the Competition Announcement.
• No more than 3,500 printed characters (one A4 page) – summary of scientific interests, previous achievements, potential participation in research projects and research projects.
• Consent to the processing of personal data of the Candidate for the purposes of the Competition,
• Candidate’s statement about getting acquainted with the Regulations for conducting competitions for scientific positions at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań.
• Candidate’s statement that, in case of winning the competition, the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań will be the main place of employment.

IV. Criteria for the evaluation of candidates

• Creativity measured by the quality and number of scientific publications in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding author, or significant author, and patent applications / patents and / or implementations,
• Mobility in scientific career (including academic internships, change of scientific profile, internships and work in industry),
• Number of citations of the candidate’s works, especially those in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding or significant author,
• Creativity measured by the quality and number of research projects,
• Opinion of an independent researcher (R3),
• Experience in laboratory work,
• Expertise in medical biology, including the main genetics and biology of eye diseases,
• Motivation to work in science,
• Good command of English,
• Any breaks in the scientific work and indicated achievements of the candidate converted into effective years of scientific work.

V. Announcement of results

Up to 30 days from the deadline for submitting documents.

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Each of the submitted candidates will receive individual information about the results of the competition in relation to their person. Information on the winner of the competition will be provided on the Institute’s website.

VI. Planned employment: 01.04.2024

VII. Information on the possibility of appeal of a candidate who has been negatively evaluated by the competition committee

Candidates who have been negatively evaluated by the Competition Commission have the right to appeal against the results of the assessment. The appeal is submitted to the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of negative feedback from the selection board. The decision of the Director of the Institute is final.