Postdoc - Firstteam - Dr Nicola De Franceschi group 09/2026

The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences; Poland; On-site; PLN 145,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time position

Competitive salary (PLN)

International environment

State-of-the-art facilities

Job summary

The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw invites highly motivated scientists to apply for a three‑year, fully‑funded Postdoc position. The project aims to develop membrane micromachines in giant liposomes for biomedical applications, including in vivo testing.

The successful candidate will test Golden Traps against multidrug‑resistant MRSA in the lungs, with in vivo work and collaboration with partner laboratories, and travel to Krakow

Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology or related field.
• Hands-on experience with mouse work is required.
• Experience with mouse models of infection or lung biology is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Plan and perform in vivo mouse experiments for lung infection.
• Conduct complementary cell biology and microbiology studies.
• Prepare data and manuscripts; coordinate with collaborating labs.

Skills

Mouse work experience

In vivo research

English proficiency

Independent researcher

Education

PhD in biology or related field

Tools

Mammalian cell culture

Job description

The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 15 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 16 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number Postdoc__NF_09/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About IMol:

The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMol) Polish Academy of Sciences, is a new and vibrant institute constituted in partnership with University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany. We provide innovative training, guidance and mentoring in an international “open door” environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

About the job:

IMol invites highly motivated scientists to apply for a three-year, fully-funded Postdoc position.

The aim of this project is to design, build and characterize a conceptually novel membrane micromachine based in giant liposomes, with immediate applications in biomedicine. This position involves performing both basic and applied research in partnership with industry.

Links to more information about the group:

The position is funded by the First Team FENG programme under the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP), project number: FENG.02.02-IP.05-0191/24

Our group is interested in developing innovative membrane-based strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. We use liposomes with tailored mechanical and molecular properties to explore unconventional approaches to bacterial targeting and eradication. In particular, we have developed “Golden Traps” – large, functionalized and highly deformable liposomes capable of physically interacting with and engulfing bacteria, providing a new strategy to treat infections that are otherwise difficult or impossible to target with conventional approaches. The key responsibility of the successful candidate will be to test the therapeutic potential of Golden Traps against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the lungs, with a major focus on in vivo mouse models of pulmonary infection. The candidate will investigate the ability of Golden Traps to target and eliminate bacterial aggregates embedded within lung tissue and evaluate their potential as carriers for the local delivery of molecules with antibacterial activity. These studies will be complemented by cell biology experiments aimed at understanding the interactions between Golden Traps, bacteria, lung cells and the immune system. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with a strong background in in vivo experimental biology. Previous experience with mouse work is required, as animal experiments will constitute a central part of the project. Expertise in mouse models of bacterial infection, lung biology, microbiology, cell biology, or drug-delivery systems will be considered a strong asset. The project is carried out in collaboration with Dr. Monika Jakubowska, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, where part of the in vivo work will be performed.

Profile of candidates/requirements:

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or related fields
• Previous hands-on experience with mouse work is required, as in vivo experiments will constitute a major part of the project
• Previous experience with mouse models of infection, lung biology, microbiology, cell biology, or drug-delivery systems will be advantageous
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and standard cell biology techniques
• High mobility and willingness to travel frequently are essential. The position is based in Warsaw, but part of the in vivo work will be performed in Krakow. The successful candidate should therefore be available to travel to Krakow approximately once per month, typically for several days at a time.
• Ability to work independently and organize experimental work across collaborating laboratories and locations
• A good command of English is essential
• Good communication and teamwork skills

Key responsibilities:

• Planning and performing in vivo experiments using mouse models of bacterial lung infection
• Planning and performing complementary cell biology and microbiology experiments
• Handling, monitoring, and experimental treatment of animals according to established protocols and ethical regulations
• Collection and processing of biological samples from in vivo experiments
• Keeping accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures and results
• Data analysis, results interpretation, and discussion
• Coordination of experimental work between Warsaw and the collaborating laboratory in Krakow
• Presenting results at internal and external meetings and conference
• Preparing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals
• Active participation in the research conducted in the lab

We offer:

• Full-time position, fixed-term contract for up to 4 years, initially signed for 12 months
• Remuneration: ~13,000 PLN gross/month, a highly competitive salary in the Polish academic sector, substantially above standard postdoctoral/academic salary levels in Poland
• Participation in an ambitious interdisciplinary and translational project at the interface of membrane biophysics, cell biology, microbiology, and in vivo research
• Work in an excellent scientific and international environment
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities
• Participation in scientific courses and international conferences
• Opportunities to develop independent research directions within the scope of the project

O IMol

O stanowisku

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences Country Poland State/Province Mazowieckie City Warsaw Postal Code 02-247 Street Marcina Flisa 6 Geofield