Postdoctoral Researcher

Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS; Warszawa; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Multisport card

Employee capital plan

Social fund

Cultural activity support

Job summary

The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Laboratory of Immunological Epigenetics. The role focuses on discovery of regulators of interferon-induced transcriptional memory using CRISPR-based and epigenomic approaches in mammalian cell systems.

The successful candidate will join an international team, contribute to manuscript preparation, and participate in advanced techniques such as flow cytometry, genome engineering, and

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in biology/biochemistry/genetics/biomedicine or similar, obtained within last 12 years ( excl. maternity leave).
• Basic lab experience in molecular or cell biology.
• Experience in at least 2 of: flow cytometry, genome engineering (CRISPR, CRISPR-interference), high-throughput screening in cells, mammalian cell culture.
• Independence and ability to work in a team.
• Motivation and willingness to collaborate with like-minded people.
• Fluent knowledge of English (international team).
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, time management and reliability.
• Openness to new scientific directions, interest in gene regulation and epigenetics.
• Desirable: strong experience in (epi)genome engineering, molecular cloning, cell transformation and selection methods.
• Candidate has PhD from outside Nencki Institute or completed a continuous research fellowship abroad at least 10 months.

Responsibilities

• Research papers - de novo identification of regulators of interferon-induced epigenetic cellular memory in selected cancerous cell lines using high-throughput epigenomic screening (CRISPR-interference methodology).
• Generation and selection of transgenic reporter lines.
• Molecular cloning and preparation of plasmid and viral vector libraries for CRISPR-interference method.
• Transformant identification and validation.
• Investigation of the mechanism of action of the identified regulating factors.
• Experimental Data Analysis: Flow Cytometry, Gene Expression Analyses, Illumina Type NGS Short-Read Sequencing.
• Preparation of publications and presentations of project results and development, activity in scientific discussions.
• Collaborate with other lab members, including mentoring younger team members, in line with lab culture.

Skills

Independence

Teamwork

Motivation

Fluent English

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Reliability

Education

PhD in biology/biochemistry/genetics/biomedicine or related field

Tools

Flow cytometry

Genome engineering (CRISPR)

High-throughput screening

Mammalian cell culture

Job description

The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of: Postdoctoral Researcher at the Laboratory of Immunological Epigenetics

Number of workstations: 1

Place of work: Laboratory of Immunological Epigenetics / Mikulski lab

Investigator Professional Profile (R1-R4): R2

Field of science: biological or related

Type and type of call: NCN OPUS

Requirements:

• A PhD degree, or equivalent, in the field of biology, biochemistry, genetics, biomedicine or similar, obtained no earlier than 12 years ago (excluding maternity leave), in accordance with the current NCN rules,


• Basic laboratory experience in the field of molecular biology or cell biology,


• Experience in at least 2 of the following methodologies: flow cytometry, genome engineering (CRISPR, CRISPR-interference), high-throughput screening in cells, mammalian cell culture,


• Independence and the ability to work in a team,


• Motivation and willingness to create valuable work together with like-minded people,


• Fluent knowledge of English (international team),


• Excellent organizational and communication skills, time management and reliability,


• Openness to new scientific directions, interest in gene regulation and epigenetics,


• Additional advantage: Strong experience in (epi)genome engineering in mammalian cells, molecular cloning, cell transformation and selection methods,


• The candidate has been awarded a PhD degree by an institution other than Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS; alternatively, they must have completed a continuous and documented research fellowship of at least 10 months at an institution other than Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS and in a country different from that in which the PhD degree was awarded.

Current immune therapies used to treat cancer are only effective in about 40-60% of cases. One of the main reasons for this limited effectiveness is the ‘immune evasion’ of cancer cells due to epigenetic and chromatin deregulation of immune response genes.

The aim of the Laboratory is to understand the mechanisms of repression and activation of these genes in cancer cells and to use this knowledge to develop new future types of immunotherapies. Our main area of interest is the regulation of immune response loci, such as interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In our research, we use techniques of chromatin biochemistry, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and expression analyses.

We are currently seeking a Postdoc Scientist to support the dynamic team in experimental work in the awarded grant OPUS29: Discovering regulators of interferon-induced transcriptional memory using targeted methods and epigenomic screening

Popular science abstract of the project: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/listy-rankingowe/2025-03-17-mmatyB0da2/streszczenia/651811-en.pdf

Scope of tasks:

• Research papers - de novo identification of regulators of interferon-induced epigenetic cellular memory in selected cancerous cell lines using high-throughput epigenomic screening (CRISPR-interference methodology):


• Generation and selection of transgenic reporter lines,


• Molecular cloning and preparation of plasmid and viral vector libraries for CRISPR-interference method,


• Transformant identification and validation,


• Investigation of the mechanism of action of the identified regulating factors,


• Experimental Data Analysis: Flow Cytometry, Gene Expression Analyses, Illumina Type NGS Short-Read Sequencing,


• Preparation of publications and presentations of project results and development, activity in scientific discussions,


• Collaborate with other lab members, including mentoring younger team members, in line with lab culture.

Employment conditions:

• 36-month employment contract (the first contract is for a 6-month period),


• Salary gross: approx. 9 700,00 PLN in accordance with NCN regulations,


• Starting date: preferably from October 2026,


• Direct impact on the development of interesting scientific projects with a mission in immuno-oncology and epigenetics using modern experimental techniques,


• Pleasant working atmosphere in an international team,


• Opportunity to access training necessary to perform work in the position and professional development,


• The possibility of participating in the internal activities of the Institute (m.in. running, chess, yoga, board games; scientific seminars),


• Additional benefits (m.in. private medical insurance, Multisport sports card, partial coverage of the costs of sports and cultural activities, employee capital plan, social fund).

Required documents:

• CV,


• 2 reference letters and contact for up to 2 reference persons,


• Statement by the candidate that when the remuneration is paid, he/she will be receiving no other remuneration paid from the funds granted to research projects under NCN calls under the heading of direct costs,


• Declaration that when the remuneration is paid, the candidate will be receiving no remuneration from another employer pursuant to an employment contract, including an employer with registered office outside of Poland.

You can use the foreign equivalent of a Polish academic degree if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

• is covered by the provisions of an international agreement on the equivalence of education,


• was issued by an authorized institution operating in an EU, OECD or EFTA Member State,


• was issued in another country and recognized on the basis of the regulations on the recognition of academic degrees obtained abroad (learn more about the procedure for the recognition of academic degrees:

For more information please contact: [e-mail]