Post-doctoral researcher - Call for applications No. 13/2026/SN

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences; Polska; On-site; PLN 96,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Co-financing of holiday leave

Multisport card

Tickets for cultural events

Job summary

The Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, invites applications for a postdoctoral position within the OPUS-29 project on Purkinje cell chromatin dynamics and neuronal vulnerability in spinocerebellar ataxias.

The successful candidate will perform high‑throughput epigenetic profiling, functional assays, and data interpretation, contribute to study design, and work in a collaborative, well‑resourced environment with a salary of about PLN 9,450 gross per month.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, biotechnology, neurobiology, or related field.
• Solid understanding of chromatin biology, epigenetic regulation, and transcriptional mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience with cell and molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, nuclear fractionation, immunostaining, western blotting).
• Experience with epigenetic profiling methods and/or high-throughput sequencing is desirable.
• Ability to critically evaluate literature and work independently.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Designing, performing, and optimizing experiments related to epigenetic profiling and chromatin analysis in Purkinje cells.
• Conducting high-throughput chromatin assays (Cut&Tag, nanoCut&Tag, Hi-C).
• Performing cell culture experiments and functional assays to study chromatin dysfunction.
• Validating candidate factors in mouse models and human-derived samples.
• Developing alternative strategies and troubleshooting protocols.
• Analyzing and integrating multi-omic datasets (epigenetic and transcriptional).
• Contributing to data interpretation and project direction.
• Preparing figures and manuscripts for publication.

Skills

Chromatin biology

Epigenetic regulation

Transcriptional mechanisms

Molecular biology techniques

Bioinformatics

Education

PhD in biology/neurobiology

Tools

Cut&Tag

nanoCut&Tag

Hi-C

Immunostaining

Western blotting

Job description

Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences Department Department of Neuronal Cell Biology Research Field Biological sciences Biology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 13 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) 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 Reference Number 13/2026/SN Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

KEYWORDS: Selective neuronal vulnerability, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Neurodegeneration

Purkinje cells, Chromatin organization, Epigenetic regulation, Transcriptional dysregulation, Nuclear architecture

Principal Investigator: Pawel M. Switonski

Research topic Chromatin dynamics of Purkinje cells as a determinant of neuronal vulnerability in ataxias

We offer a position as an assistant professor (post‑doc) within the OPUS-29 project entitled: "Identifying changes in Purkinje cell chromatin dynamics as novel drivers of neuronal vulnerability in spinocerebellar ataxias" Neurodegenerative diseases often show striking cell-type specificity, with selected neuronal populations degenerating despite widespread expression of disease-causing mutations. A prominent example is spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), in which degeneration of Purkinje cells leads to progressive motor dysfunction. The molecular mechanisms underlying this selective neuronal vulnerability remain poorly understood.

This project aims to identify chromatin- and nucleus-centered mechanisms that drive Purkinje cell degeneration in SCA. Building on strong preliminary data, the project focuses on disease-associated alterations in chromatin organization, epigenetic regulation, nuclear architecture, and phase separation phenomena, and their consequences for transcriptional control. Using state-of-the-art epigenomic, imaging, and molecular approaches, the project seeks to establish whether chromatin dysfunction represents a unifying driver of Purkinje cell vulnerability across multiple ataxia models.

The postdoctoral researcher will play a key role in executing and shaping advanced experimental strategies, integrating high-throughput epigenetic profiling with functional and cellular analyses. The position offers substantial scientific independence and opportunities to contribute intellectually to study design, data interpretation, and publication, within a collaborative and well-resourced research environment.

The expected salary is approximately PLN 9 450 gross.

II. Requirements for the candidates:

The candidate should have:

• PhD degree in biology, biotechnology, neurobiology, or a related discipline.
• Solid understanding of chromatin biology, epigenetic regulation, and transcriptional mechanisms.
• Significant hands-on experience with cell and molecular biology techniques (e.g. cloning, nuclear fractionation, immunostaining, western blotting).
• Experience with epigenetic profiling methods and/or high-throughput sequencing technologies is highly desirable.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and work independently.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Experience in bioinformatics and data analysis will be considered an asset.

*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 ifthis 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 post-doctoral 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:

• Designing, performing, and optimizing experiments related to epigenetic profiling and chromatin analysis in Purkinje cells.
• Conducting high-throughput chromatin assays, including Cut&Tag, nanoCut&Tag, and Hi-C experiments.
• Performing cell culture experiments and functional assays to investigate chromatin dysfunction and phase condensation phenomena.
• Validating candidate molecular factors in mouse models and human-derived samples.
• Developing alternative experimental strategies and troubleshooting complex protocols.
• Analyzing and integrating multi-omic datasets, including epigenetic and transcriptional data.
• Actively contributing to data interpretation and shaping the scientific direction of the project.
• Preparing figures, manuscripts, and other dissemination materials for peer-reviewed publications.

IV. Required documents:

• Application to the Director of IBCH PAN, containing contact details of previous scientific supervisors or other scientific employees who can give an opinion on the candidate.
• A copy of the diploma confirming the achievement of the doctoral degree or a document containing a statement from the doctoral thesis supervisor about the planned defense date.
• Scientific CV containing, among others, information on scientific, didactic and organizational achievements, including a list of scientific publications, information on management or participation in research projects.

VII. 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. Based on its results, a ranking list of the persons recommended for employment will be drawn up. In the case of resignation of a higher-ranked candidate, the next person on the list will be offered employment. The main criteria considered in the selection process will include: (i) scientific achievements (publications), (ii) relevance of previous experience to the research tasks planned within the project, and (iii) experience gained during research internships.

VIII. The recruitment procedure shall be concluded no later than 11.12.2026

Selection process

IX. Additional Information:

The position is available immediately (depending on the competition results) and is offered for a period of 36 months, with the possibility of extension. The expected salary is approximately PLN 9 450 gross. Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code.

Social benefits (co-financing of holiday leave, Multisport card or tickets for cultural events), possibility to join group life and medical insurance

For additional information please contact the Principal Investigator:

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: