Assistant (post-doc) in the group Theoretical and Experimental Biocatalysis

EURAXESS Czech Republic; Kraków; Hybrid; PLN 100,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, seeks a postdoctoral Assistant to advance biocatalysis research under the OPUS LAP project. The role focuses on materials engineering and biotechnology with emphasis on surface characterization.

The candidate will drive fermentation optimization, biomaterials production, and collaborate with PhD students while supervising interns and researchers, contributing to high-impact publications.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years of research experience in materials engineering and/or biotechnology with publications.
• Experience leading national and international research projects as a researcher or leader.
• At least 4 months of international internship experience at a foreign lab.
• Experience in laboratory work and biomaterials/biomaterials surface characterization.

Responsibilities

• Optimization of polyhydroxyalkanoate fermentation processes.
• Production of biomaterials and their characterization using advanced surface/structural analysis.
• Collaboration with a PhD student on recombinant protein expression.
• Supervision of interns and PhD students in the research group.
• Participation in planning, conducting research, and analyzing results.
• Presentation of research results at national and international conferences.

Skills

Materials engineering

Biotechnology

English proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

SEM/TEM

QCM

DLS

FTIR

UV-Vis

NMR

DSC

Fluorescence imaging

Job description

Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Applied chemistry Chemistry » Heterogeneous catalysis Chemistry » Homogeneous catalysis Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry Chemistry » Instrumental analysis Chemistry » Instrumental techniques Chemistry » Molecular chemistry Chemistry » Organic chemistry Chemistry » Other Chemistry » Physical chemistry Chemistry » Reaction mechanisms and dynamics Chemistry » Structural chemistry Biological sciences » Biology Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 25 Sep 2026 - 15:00 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 25 Aug 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number KSN 4/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• Employer: Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Polish Academy of Science, Krakow, Poland
• Chemistry (analytical chemistry, applied chemistry, biochemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, inorganic chemistry, instrumental analysis, instrumental techniques, molecular chemistry, organic chemistry, other, physical chemistry, reaction mechanisms and kinetics, structural chemistry)
• Research profile: R2
• Location: Poland, Krakow
• Employment mode: Full-time
• Weekly working hours: 40
• Keywords: biomaterials, microbiology, proteins, materials engineering, biopolymers, physicochemical characterization of biomaterials

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow announces a competition for the position of Assistant (post-doc) in the group Theoretical and Experimental Biocatalysis for the implementation of the project OPUS LAP PHA-CURE M.Guzik (UMO-2024/55/I/ST8/02132).

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions set out in the Act on the Polish Academy of Sciences of 30 April 2010 (Journal of Laws 2020, item 1796, as amended), Article 89, Section 4.

In particular the successful candidate will be responsible for:

optimization of polyhydroxyalkanoate fermentation processes;

production of biomaterials (single- and multi-component) and their characterization using advanced surface and structural analysis methods;

collaboration with a PhD student on expression of recombinant proteins;

collaboration with other project participants and supervision of interns and PhD students in the research group;

participation in planning, conducting research, analyzing results, and preparing scientific publications;

presentation of research results at national and international conferences.

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• at least 4 years of research experience in the field of materials engineering and/or biotechnology, evidenced by scientific publications in JCR-listed journals in which the candidate played a significant role (first author and/or corresponding author in at least two papers), as well as presentations at national and international conferences;
• experience in carrying out national and international research projects as a researcher and/or project leader;
• at least 4 months of research experience gained at a foreign research institution as part of an internship;
• experience in laboratory work;
• practical knowledge of the following research techniques in the characterization of biomaterials and their surfaces, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the obtained results: SEM/TEM, QCM, DLS, FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR, and DSC; and fluorescence imaging methods;
• experience in working with biological objects;
• very good command of spoken and written English, confirmed by a C1 certificate;
• high motivation for scientific research and the ability to work in a team;

the candidate must meet the requirements specified in the NCN regulations governing thehiring of postdocs in the OPUS competition (28th edition)*.
* The postdoc contract is reserved for individuals who obtained their Ph.D. in the year of employment on the project or within the 12-year period preceding January 1 of the year of employment on the project. This period may be extended by the duration of long-term (more than 90 days) documented sick leave or rehabilitation leave due to incapacity for work. Additionally, this period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave related to the care and upbringing of children, granted in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code, and in the case of women—by 18 months for each child born or adopted child, if this method of identifying breaks in the research career is more advantageous.

The PhD degree of the candidate need to be awarded by another institution than the one planned to employ them at this post or they have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree.

Furthermore, during the period of receiving remuneration, a person employed in a post-doc position may not receive any other remuneration from funds allocated as direct costs from research projects funded through NCN competitions, nor may they receive remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside the territory of Poland. When the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no pension under the social security scheme.

Specific Requirements

The candidate's application should include:

• employment application
• copy of the diploma conferring the doctoral degree
• full curriculum vitae
• at least one opinion about the candidate from the previous supervisor
• list of scientific achievements

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience 4 - 10

Additional Information

Salary:
Gross salary will amount to 9 000,00 - 9 100,00 PLN per month depending on the candidate's experience.

Eligibility criteria

Qualification criteria

• high evaluation of the doctoral dissertation, as confirmed by peer reviews (0-10 points). Minimum number of points required: 8;
• at least 4 years of research experience in the field of materials engineering and/or biotechnology, supported by a scientific publications record in JCR-listed journals in which the candidate played a significant role (first author and/or corresponding author on at least two papers), as well as presentations at national and international conferences (0-10 points). Minimum number of points required: 3;
• experience in carrying out national and international research projects as a researcher and/or project manager (0-5 points). Minimum number of points required: 1;
• at least 4 months of research experience gained at a foreign research institution as part of an internship (0-5 points). Minimum number of points required: 1;
• experience in laboratory work(0-5 points). Minimum number of points required: 3;
• practical knowledge of the following research techniques related to the characterization of biomaterials and their surfaces, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the results obtained: SEM/TEM, QCM, DLS, FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR, and DSC; and fluorescence imaging methods (0-5 points). Minimum number of points required: 3;
• experience working with biological objects (0-5 points). Minimum number of points required: 1;
• very good command of spoken and written English, as evidenced by a C1 certificate (0-1 points). Minimum number of points required: 1.

The deadline for submitting documents is 2026-09-25 3:00 pm GMT+1. The competition will be concluded by 2026-10-09. Candidates will be informed about the outcome.

Employment will be offered for a period of 12 months in accordance with applicable regulations.

In the case of candidates with equivalent qualifications or if clarification of submitted information is needed, selected candidates may be invited to an online interview.

Additional comments

The Institute has been adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Institute does not provide accommodation.

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, awarded the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, fully supports and applies the principles of open, transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R). The Institute fully endorses and follows the OTM-R policy as one of the pillars of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, as well as a key element of the HR Strategy ( HRS4R ).

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences Country Poland City Krakow Postal Code 30-239 Street Niezapominajek Geofield