Post-doctoral reseaecher - Call for applications No. 16/2025/SN

Euraxess; Poznań; On-site; PLN 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Poland is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in molecular biology focusing on ribonucleases. The role requires a PhD, strong skills in molecular biology, and excellent English. This position offers a salary of approximately 9450 PLN per month and involves significant research contributions in biochemistry. Applicants should submit their applications via the eRecruiter portal by November 30, 2025.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics or a related discipline.
• Well-documented research output in the form of research papers (Web of Science).
• Experience in molecular biology techniques and human cell culture techniques.

Responsibilities

• Planning and conducting experiments.
• Preparation and assistance in the preparation of manuscripts.
• Critical reading of literature.

Skills

Experience in molecular biology techniques

Strong commitment to project

Proactive initiative

Good spoken and written English

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related discipline

Job description

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences Department Department of Ribonucleoprotein Biochemistry Research Field Biological sciences > Biology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Poland Application Deadline 30 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) 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 Reference Number 16/2025/SN Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

KEY WORDS: Dicer ribonucleases, RNase III enzymes, helicases, ATP-hydrolyzing proteins, protein-nucleic acid interactions, regulatory RNAs

Research topic: characterization and biological significance of the ATPase activity of human ribonuclease Dicer

Ribonucleases Dicer are multidomain proteins, widely known for their important role in the biogenesis of small regulatory RNAs: microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. This project focuses on the helicase domain of human ribonuclease Dicer (hDicer).

The helicase domain of hDicer contains conserved ATPase motifs. However, it is suggested that the ancestors of hDicer exhibited reduced affinity for ATP, resulting in the loss of its hydrolysis ability - unlike plant or some insect Dicer proteins. Therefore, it remains a mystery why hDicer has retained these conserved ATPase motifs? Importantly, results from our recent studies indicate that the helicase domain of hDicer is capable of ATP hydrolysis ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39695695/ ). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this activity has been reported for vertebrate Dicers.

In light of these findings, the project focuses on:

• identifying cellular proteins and RNAs that bind to the helicase domain of hDicer,
• determining which of these factors (protein, RNA, or both) influence the ATPase activity of hDicer - and how,
• establishing the potential biological significance of hDicer’s ATPase activity.

The project plans to utilize modern molecular biology and biophysics techniques, including:

• mass spectrometry to identify proteins interacting with hDicer,
• fluorescence and confocal microscopy to visualize hDicer•protein and hDicer•RNA complexes in cells,
• in vitro studies on the ATPase activity of hDicer,
• cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the structure of selected hDicer complexes.

The project will provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms associated with Dicer proteins, contributing to a better understanding of the complex functions of multidomain proteins in the cell.

Research shall be carried out within the project 2024/55/B/NZ2/02771, entitled “The complex nature of multidomain proteins: the unmasked activity of human Dicer ribonuclease – expect the unexpected”, funded by the National Science Centre.

IBCH PAS is one of the leading scientific units in Poland and conducts research activities in the field of chemistry, molecular biology and biomedicine. The Institute provides access to technologically advanced research equipment.

The estimated gross salary is ca. 9450,00 PLN/month.

II. Requirements for the candidates

• A PhD degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics or a related discipline.
• Well-documented research output in the form of research papers (Web of Science).
• Experience in molecular biology techniques, especially in the field of protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, human cell culture techniques (experience in microscope imaging will be an asset).
• Experience in bioinformatics and NGS data analysis.
• Capacity to work effectively - both independently and as part of a team, strong commitment to the project, proactive initiative, and alignment of individual development plans with collective goals.

Very good spoken and written English.

*According to NCN requirements, only individuals who obtained a doctoral degree no earlier than 12 years before the year of employment in the project may be admitted. This period may be extended by the time spent on long‑term (over 90 days) documented sickness benefits or rehabilitation benefits due to incapacity for work. Additionally, the period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave for the care and upbringing of children, as specified under the Labor Code. For women, this period may also be increased by 18 months for each born or adopted child if this method of accounting for breaks in the scientific career is more advantageous.

Furthermore, according to NCN requirements, individuals who obtained a doctoral degree at an institution other than the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, or those who earned the degree at ICHB PAN but completed a continuous, documented postdoctoral internship of at least 10 months at an institution other than the project-implementing entity and in a country different from where the doctoral degree was obtained, may be admitted.

III. Duties in the project

• Planning and conducting experiments. Analysis, interpretation, and documentation of data.
• Preparation and assistance in the preparation of manuscripts.
• Critical reading of literature.
• Presentation of the results at seminars and scientific meetings.
• Individual and team work; day-to-day supervision of PhD students and graduate students.

IV. Required documents

• Cover letter of application to the Director of IBCH PAS featuring contact details to at least two referees.
• Copy of the doctoral diploma.
• CV featuring information on the candidate's scientific track record, including:
  • the list of papers published in journals listed in the Web of Science (WoS) database, stating the IF in accordance with WoS, number of citations and the H-index;
    • list of patents;
    • information on the previously managed projects or participation in project implementation;
    • information on the accomplished research internships;
    • information on the awarded prizes and distinctions.

V. Applications should be submitted via the eRecruiter portal at:

VI. The submission deadline is November 30, 2025.

Eligibility criteria

VII. Selection of candidates

Following preliminary verification, on the basis of the application documents, selected candidates will be invited to an interview, as a result of which a candidate recommended for employment shall be appointed. The main criteria, taken into consideration during the selection of the candidates, will be: (i) research output (research papers published), (ii) compliance of the previous experience with the tasks planned within the framework of the project, (iii) experience gained during internships.

VIII. The recruitment procedure shall be concluded no later than on January 14, 2026.

Selection process

IX. Additional Information

Employment is available instantly (depending on the result of the recruitment procedure). The position is available for the period of 6 months (with the possible extension). The estimated gross salary is ca. 9450,00 PLN/month. Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code.

For additional information please contact the Principal Investigator:

• The Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, seated in Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan; REGON 000849327, NIP 777-00-02-062 is the administrator of the collected personal data (further referred to as the Institute).
• The Administrator appointed a Data Protection Officer, who can be contacted in writing, via traditional mail, by sending a letter to the following address: Z. Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, or by sending an e‑mail to: [e-mail] .
• The personal data of the candidates is processed for the purposes of fulfilling the tasks of the administrator, associated with conducting the recruitment procedure for a vacant position.
• The legal basis for processing personal data is the Act of 26 June 1974 – The Labor Code, Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences or the consent of the person whose data shall be subjected to processing.
• Your personal data shall be subjected to processing for period of 3 months upon the date of decision of the recruitment committee. Following this period, the data will be irretrievably and effectively destroyed.
• The personal data of the candidates shall not be transferred to any third country.
• The person whose data shall be subjected to processing has the right to:
  • request access to his/her personal data, and to amend it or delete it, pursuant to articles 15-17 of GDPR;
  • limit data processing, in the events stipulated in article 18 of GDPR;
  • data transferring, pursuant to article 20 of GDPR;
  • withdraw consent at any moment, without influencing compliance with the law of the processing that was executed prior to consent withdrawal;
  • file a complaint to the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection.

Providing personal data in the scope stipulated in article 22 (1) of the Act of 26 June 1974 – The Labor Code is mandatory, whereas providing data in a broader scope is voluntary and requires consent for its processing.

Protection for whistleblowers

In the case of reporting violations using a dedicated system for whistleblowers, the reporting person's data will be processed in accordance with applicable provisions on the protection of personal data, including the above-mentioned Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016. We ensure confidentiality and protection of the identity of reporting persons, and that their data will not be disclosed without their consent, unless the law provides otherwise.

Detailed rules regarding the protection of personal data and procedures for reporting violations of the law can be found in our Regulations on internal reporting at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, available at the link: