ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (F/M) 1227.1101.247.2026

Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology; Polska; On-site; PLN 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Institutional Social Benefits Fund

Thirteenth salary

Job summary

Jagiellonian University in Kraków, through the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, invites applications for a Researcher (F/M) postdoc role in biological and chemical sciences. The position focuses on structural biology, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry with potential for long-term collaboration within the NCN OPUS 24 project.

The post requires a doctoral degree, strong publication record, and experience in the listed techniques.

Qualifications

• Holding at least a doctoral degree.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate tasks in the research group and solve problems.
• Learn and optimize new methods in structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics.
• Prepare reports and contribute to project deliverables.

Skills

Cell biology

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Biophysics

Medicinal chemistry

Protein purification

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

Protein expression

Enzymatic assays

Education

Doctoral degree

Tools

MS Office

CCP4

Phenix

Relion

CryoSPARC

PyMOL

Job description

Organisation/Company Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Research Field Biological sciences » Other Chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Jagiellonian University in Kraków promotes cooperation and cares for a good atmosphere based on mutual trust. It implements the strategy resulting from The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, creating stable conditions for employment as well as the development of academic career, which resulted in the award of the HR Excellence in Research by the European Commission

Group of employees (F/M) Research staff
JU organisational unit (place of work performance) Polyamine Networks Research Group
Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology

Field of science Science and life sciences
Discipline Biological sciences or Chemical sciences

Scope Structural biology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, synthetic chemistry or related
Number of posts 1

Type of employment Employment contract
Working time Full time

Planned duration of employment 12 months
Expected date of employment commencement First quarter 2027

Remuneration

• basic remuneration in the range of 10 523—12 839 PLN gross;
• seniority allowance depending on length of service (3—20%);
• jubilee awards for long-term service — in accordance with the Regulation for remuneration of employees of the Jagiellonian University;
• possible task-based and periodic allowances, as well as discretionary awards, upon meeting the conditions set out in the Regulation for remuneration of employees of the Jagiellonian University;
• additional annual remuneration, the so-called "thirteenth salary" — after meeting the conditions specified in the relevant regulation.

Benefits — Institutional Social Benefits Fund (depending on the income per family member, in accordance with the Regulations for Granting Benefits from the Company Social Benefits Fund of the Jagiellonian University):

• co-financing of summer holidays (PLN 1 050—1 550 gross) and winter holidays (PLN 700—900 gross);
• co-financing for children for organised holidays (PLN 900—1 400 gross), or co-financing of individually purchased summer camps, sports camps, winter camps, medical holidays or rehabilitation stays (50—90%, with the maximum amount eligible for co-financing being PLN 2 500 gross) per child;
• cash equivalent for a special occasional package of sweets in the amount of PLN 100—300 gross per child;
• co-financing of childcare in nurseries, kindergartens and other forms of preschool education, as well as care provided by a daily guardian or nanny (PLN 250–4 00 gross).

The selection procedure is open for all individuals, who meet the requirements set out in Articles 113 and 116.2.3) of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science, and who meet the following eligibility criteria according to ¡65 of the Statute of the Jagiellonian University:

• holding at least a doctoral degree;
• having relevant scientific achievements;
• taking active part in scientific life.

Additional requirements necessary for employment (indicated in order of priority)

Ideal Candidates (F/M):

• have relevant scientific background in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and or related fields,
• have at least one original scientific publication, in which they are the lead author,
• take an active part in scientific life manifested in particular in presentations at conferences and symposia,
• meet the NCN requirements for persons employed in research projects https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2022/uchw…,
• in addition, the Candidates (F/M) are expected to have prior knowledge and experience in at least one of the following methods: experience in research in the field of structural biology (crystallography or cryo-EM), biochemistry, biophysics, studies of protein–protein interactions, drug design, screening techniques, molecular biology, biophysics, and related areas.

The ideal Candidate (F/M) will possess:

• knowledge of techniques for purification of recombinant and native proteins,
• knowledge of molecular biology methods, e.g. cloning, design of expression constructs, Western blot, RT-PCR,
• knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein expression systems,
• experience in studying protein activity using various enzymatic assays,
• experience in macromolecular structure analysis,
• experience in synchrotron measurements or cryo-EM,
• experience with SPR, HPLC, MST methods,
• command of English at a communicative level, enabling daily work in an international scientific environment, presenting results, and preparing scientific publications,
• knowledge of basic MS Office programs and optionally Linux operating system environment and software such as CCP4, Phenix, Relion, CryoSPARC, PanDDa, PyMOL, GraphPad/Origin.

Project Title: NCN OPUS 24, "Targeted inhibition of hypusination pathway".
PSP: K/NCN/000211

Hypusination is a modification described only for one protein: the eukaryotic translational factor eIF5A, and spermidine is used as a substrate in this process. In the first step of hypusination, the enzyme deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) attaches the 4-aminobutyl moiety of spermidine to the lysine residue present in eIF5A, resulting in the formation of a non-standard amino acid residue: deoxyhypusine. The deoxyhypusine is then modified to hypusine by deoxyhypsuine hydroxylase (DOHH). eIF5A is involved in the protein translation process, and hypusinated lysine is essential for its activity. eIF5A is also involved in the development of certain diseases such as diabetes, certain types of cancer, and malaria. Furthermore, hypusinated eIF5A promotes cell proliferation. Much attention is currently being paid to the molecular mechanism of selective control of protein translation by hypusinated eIF5A. Hypusinated eIF5A is indispensable for tumor growth and is closely related to the aggressiveness of cancers. Moreover, the expression of the second eIF5A-2 variant is a hallmark of many cancers. Furthermore, mutations in proteins involved in the hypusination pathway are the cause of neurological disorders. To date, we are simply lacking molecular compounds that enable us to specifically modulate the hypusination pathway, and the structure — activity relationship of the currently used inhibitors is vaguely defined, as there are major concerns about the specificity of these molecules. Hence, the ultimate goal of the project is to obtain lead compounds selectively modulating the hypusination pathway that can be further optimized as pro-–drugs or tool compounds to be used in diagnostics and clinical treatment. In detail, we plan to transform the small molecules obtained in our previous research into novel lead compounds that can serve as pro-–drug molecules. These molecules will be thoroughly tested in various activity screens, and we will obtain crystal structures of DHS in complexes with developed compounds. Furthermore, using high-–throughput crystallographic screening, we will discover new small-molecule DOHH binders, which will pave the way for the synthesis of novel inhibitors and thus, together with DHS-interacting compounds, complement the landscape of hypusination pathway modulators. Last but not least, we plan a multifaceted strategy in which not only small compounds but also nucleic acid-based aptamers will be tested as possible hypusination modulators.

Scope of duties
According to the Work Regulations of the Jagiellonian University Annex 1 to the Work Regulations of the Jagiellonian University – Model scopes of responsibilities and duties of academic teachers (F/M)
The hired person will be responsible for independently coordinating tasks, making rational and logical decisions to solve problems, and introducing new techniques and tools. The best‐selected Candidate (F/M) will be required to learn and optimize new methods in the fields of structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and medicinal chemistry. The work will include optimizing selected activity assays, conducting experiments based on activity tests, designing new inhibitors, preparing samples for structural studies, and preparing reports.

We offer

• stable employment based on an employment contract at the renowned university,
• cooperation with the interdisciplinary academic community represented by well‐known scientists,
• scientific support as well as the possibility of qualifications improvement and professional development,
• access to research infrastructure,
• benefits in the form of i.a. Multisport card, sports activities, medical packages, group insurance,
• additional social benefits.

Required application documents

1. resume,
2. personal questionnaire filled in by the Candidate (F/M),
3. copy of the doctoral diploma or a diploma confirming the Candidate’s (F/M) habilitation degree, if applicable,
4. information on the Candidate’s (F/M) scientific, teaching and organisational achievements,
5. declaration of the Candidate (F/M), confirming that the Jagiellonian University will be their primary place of work, should they be selected in the selection procedure,
6. statement under Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science,
7. statement on acknowledging and accepting the rules and regulations concerning intellectual property management and commercialisation in force at the Jagiellonian University,
8. list of publications (along with the respective publishing houses and the number of pages), if any,
9. recommendation from the Candidate’s (F/M) previous supervisor (head of the department or academic supervisor) regarding the Candidate’s (F/M) aptitude and qualifications for academic teaching and research work, including the results of student surveys and evaluations, if the Candidate (F/M) was subject to such evaluation.

Declaration forms (no. 5–7) and personal questionnaire template (no. 2) can be obtained at:
https://cso.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/dokumkandyd

Questions
For further information please contact by e‑mail: [e-mail]

Jagiellonian University does not provide housing.
The selection procedure does not provide for any preferences or decisions that differentiate between Candidates (F/M) on the basis of gender; the evaluation process is conducted in accordance with the principles of equal treatment and gender neutrality.
Jagiellonian University has an internal procedure for reporting violations of the law and protecting persons making such reports (whistleblowers), in accordance with applicable regulations. Order of the Rector of Jagiellonian University on the Procedure for reporting violations of the law and taking follow‐up action at Jagiellonian University.

On behalf of
the Rector of the Jagiellonian University
Director of the Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology
dr Serghei Mangul, prof. UJ

Personal data processing information for job applicants
According to Article 13 of the 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 – hereinafter GDPR), the Jagiellonian University informs that:
1. The Administrator of your personal data is the Jagiellonian University with its registered office in Gołełbia 24, 31-007 Kraków, represented by the Rector of JU.
2. The Jagiellonian University appointed the Data Protection Officer www.iod.uj.edu.pl , Gołełbia 24, 31-007 Kraków. The Officer can be contacted by email: [e-mail] or at the telephone number 12 663 12 25.
3. Your personal data will be processed in order to:
a) conduct recruitment process for the position specified in the advertisement – as part of the legal obligation of the Administrator pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit c of the GDPR in connection with the Polish Labour Code;
b) conduct recruitment process for the position specified in the advertisement based on your consent pursuant to Art. 6 (1) lit a of the GDPR — your consent is granted by the clear action of submitting your CV with the Administrator. The consent to the processing of personal data concerns data that you voluntarily provide as part of your CV, which do not result from Polish Labour Code.
4. The obligation to provide your personal data results from the law (it applies to personal data processed under Article 6 (1) lit c of the GDPR). Failure to provide you personal data will result in your inability to take part in the recruitment process. Submission of personal data processed on the basis of consent (Article 6 (1) lit a of the GDPR) is voluntary.
5. Your data will be processed during the recruitment period. In the event of not concluding the contract with you, your data will be deleted after the recruitment process.
6. You have the right of access to the content of your personal data, as well as the right to correct, delete, restrict processing, transfer, object to processing — on the terms and conditions set out in the GDPR.
7. If the processing is based on consent, you have the right to withdraw the consent at any time, which shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on the consent given before the withdrawal. Withdrawal of consent to the processing of personal data can be sent by e‑mail to: [e-mail] or by post to the following address: Jagiellonian University, Gołełbia 24, 31-007 Krakow, or you can withdraw your consent in person at Jagiellonian University, Gołełbia 24, 31-007 Krakók.
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