Student – scholarship position Recruitment No 67/2026

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences; Polska; On-site; PLN 15,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship program

Job summary

Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS in Warsaw invites applications for a student scholarship position in the NSC OPUS 30 project focused on functional and structural characterization of predicted human oxygenases with an unusual Fe(II)-binding site.

The role, led by Dr Lennart Brewitz, involves organic/biochemical synthesis, inhibitor development, and collaboration with international partners to propel cancer therapeutics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in chemistry or related field.
• Background in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan and conduct synthesis and characterization of inhibitors.
• Synthesize and characterize enzyme inhibitors in the lab.
• Use AI tools to support inhibitor development and optimization.
• Perform enzyme inhibition assays.
• Collaborate effectively with team members.
• Disseminate results at meetings, journals and conferences.

Skills

Independent work

Organic chemistry

Biochemistry

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Job description

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Department Team 16, Medical Chemistry, Protein Biochemistry and Biocatalysis Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Organic chemistry Chemistry » Structural chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Application Deadline 19 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Other Job Status Extra Information scholarship position Hours Per Week 25 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number Recruitment 67/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Student – scholarship position available in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS within National Science Center (NSC) OPUS 30, Project no. 2025/59/B/NZ1/02711, entitled "Functional and Structural Characterization of Predicted Human Oxygenases with an Unusual Fe(II)-Binding Site"

Leader Dr Lennart Brewitz

Dioxygenases use molecular oxygen to modify their substrates, which can include proteins, nucleic acids, fatty acids, and small molecules. Because of their versatility, dioxygenases are involved in many essential cellular processes, such as breaking down fatty acids, signalling, and regulating gene expression. Dioxygenases are also important drug targets, and many widely used medicines work by blocking their activity.

This project will employ a combination of state-of-the-arts organic, medicinal, and biologic chemistry techniques to develop potent and selective small molecule and peptide inhibitors of two unusual human dioxygenases related to cancer. Additionally, the effects of the inhibitors on dioxygenase catalysis and their interactions with dioxygenases will be determined (using e.g. activity assays and protein crystallography); part of the work will be carried out together with international collaborators. Collectively, the results of these investigations will help the design of cancer therapeutics.

Responsibilities:

• Design, plan and conduct experiments related to the synthesis and characterization of human dioxygenase inhibitors
• Synthesize and characterize enzyme inhibitors in the laboratory
• Use artificial intelligence tools to support the development of inhibitors and guide their optimization
• Perform enzyme inhibition assays
• E ffectively work together with team members
• Disseminate research results at project meetings, in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences .

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Ability to work independently as well as in a group
• Background in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry
• Excellent in English speaking and writing.

Specific Requirements

At the starting date of the work within the project, the applicant should be a student of full-time first or second-cycle degree programmes or uniform Master's studies at any university in Poland; (i.e., studying chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or a related field).

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistryChemistry » BiochemistryChemistry » Structural chemistry Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

We offer a scholarship position in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a monthly stipend of 1500 PLN financed from the OPUS 30 project no. 2025/59/B/NZ1/02711. The stipend is for 12 months with the possibility of extension.

The candidate will have the opportunity to work in a highly ambitious young research group at the interface of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, and structural biology, and perform work with high translational potential

The candidate will have the opportunity to build an expertise in a plethora of state-of-the-arts organic, medicinal and biological chemistry techniques

The candidate will have an opportunity to present their work in group meetings, institutional meetings, and at conferences

Eligibility criteria

NCN scholarships may be awarded to individuals who are not PhD holders and meet any of the following terms:

• be students of full-time first or second-cycle degree programmes or uniform Master's studies at any university in Poland;

Complete application should include the following items:

• list of scientific achievements (publications, patents, conference presentations, etc.)

The recruitment committee will evaluate the candidates’ research achievements, their research-related achievements and competencies as regards specific tasks in the research project, expressed as a point score:

• the candidate’s research achievements, including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score)
• research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score)
• the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score)

Recruitment procedure:

• The application deadline is on 19.10.2026 , 12:00 CEST (UTC +2:00).
• Top candidates can be invited for an online or in-person interview (b21.10.2026).

The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the rules defined by National Science Center's document REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING NCN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NCN-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS

The incomplete applications will not be considered.

The scholarship will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.

The results of the recruitment are planned to be announced on 28.10.2026.

If the top candidate does not sign the contract due to the resignation, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.

The controller of your personal data is the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Warsaw, NIP: 5250008755 (the "Institute"). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) - depending on the circumstances.

You have the right to: request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing. More information is available on the Institute's website https://ichf.edu.pl/theme/ichf/pliki/RODO_klauzula_informacyjna.pdf

Procedure for Reporting Internal Violations of the Law and Subsequent Actions together with Protection of Whistleblowers atthe Institute of Physical Chemistry of the PAS with its registered address in Warsaw (link)

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institute of Physical Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences Country Poland City Warsaw Postal Code 01-224 Street Kasprzaka 44/52 Geofield