Assistant Professor (post-doc)

Reference Number: WB-KG-13/2026

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

Assistant Professor in the project The role of mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 in the pre- and peri-implantation development of mouse embryos. PI: Agnieszka Walewska, PhD. Funding institution: National Science Centre Poland.

As a mammalian embryo develops from the one-cell stage to a blastocyst, the final stage before implantation, a fluid-filled cavity forms within the embryo. During blastocyst growth there is a twofold increase in pressure within the blastocyst cavity. The increasing pressure within the blastocyst cavity stretches and flattens cells, influencing how they divide, where they locate, and which developmental path they choose. The blastocyst is affected by multiple mechanical forces also during implantation in the uterus. These forces are crucial for development, influencing cell differentiation, shaping the embryo and breaking down the transparent glycoprotein shell surrounding an embryo to enable invasion of the uterine wall. The above-mentioned mechanical forces exerted on the cells’ plasma membrane can influence the activity of specialized structures known as mechanosensitive ion channels. These channels act like molecular switches that convert physical forces into biochemical signals, which may regulate cellular behaviors and processes that are critical for successful development before implantation and during the embryo’s first contact with the uterus.

The main object of our interests within this project is mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1, a well-established mechanosensor present in diverse tissues and capable of detecting and responding to external and internal forces (like membrane tension). We aim to test the hypothesis that the PIEZO1 plays a role in the pre- and peri-implantation development by modulating the overall embryo quality, division rate and differentiation of blastomeres, blastocyst expansion, and the blastocyst's ability to implant successfully.

This project aims to uncover a previously unrecognized mechanobiological mechanism critical for successful preimplantation development and implantation processes and thus its results will be important not only for developmental biology, but also for reproductive medicine.

Basic responsibilities and obligations:

• in international scientific journals.
• Securing research funding.
• Fulfilling other academic teacher responsibilities as required by employment at the University of Warsaw.

More information: Scope of responsibilities of the academic teacher

Where to apply

E-mail: a.walewska@uw.edu.pl

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Conditions for entering the competition:

• Fulfill the requirements set out in Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, consolidated text);
• A PhD degree in biological sciences or a related field, obtained within 12 years prior to January 1 of the year in which employment under the project commences. This period may be extended in accordance with the rules established by the National Science Centre (NCN). Candidates who do not yet hold a doctoral degree at the time of application may also apply, provided that they obtain the degree before commencing employment under the project;
• The position may be held by a person who obtained a doctoral degree at an institution other than the University of Warsaw or has completed at least 9-month, continuous, and documented research internship, completed during doctoral school, doctoral studies, or after obtaining a doctoral degree, at an institution other than the University of Warsaw and in a country other than the country where the doctoral degree was obtained;
• Scientific achievements documented by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including international journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) database;
• International experience, in particular participation in international conferences, research stays or scientific visits, collaboration with international research teams, participation in research projects carried out in international collaboration, or co-authorship of publications with researchers from foreign research institutions. International experience should be appropriate to the candidate’s career stage;
• Submit a research plan outlining personal scientific development;
• Research competencies in the field of:
  • Experience working with mammalian gametes and embryos, including the isolation of gametes and embryos, embryo culture, in vitro fertilization, and micromanipulation techniques used in experimental embryology;

  AND/OR

  • Very good knowledge of cell biology techniques (e.g. immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, cell culture) and molecular biology techniques (e.g. RT-qPCR, Western blot), as well as statistical analysis methods;

Good command of English (spoken and written).

In addition, we expect:

• A proactive attitude and the ability to independently solve problems;
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Excellent organization of the workplace and working time;
• Attention to detail.

The following will be considered additional advantages:

• Knowledge of animal embryonic development, particularly mammalian embryonic development;
• Knowledge of ion channels;
• Experience working with laboratory animals, supported by relevant certifications;
• Experience in preparing scientific publications and grant proposals;

If hired, we expect the University of Warsaw to be the primary workplace for the successful candidate.

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Excellent

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information

Benefits

Full-time employment contract.

Employment starting from 1st January 2027, for 18 months with a possible extending for additional 18 months.

Basic remuneration around PLN 10,500 gross/month plus the additional annual remuneration, allowance for years of service. More information: link

Workplace: Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences

Career opportunities: More information: link

Selection process

Method of submitting an application:

Send applications via email to a.walewska@uw.edu.pl and the Faculty Dean's Office: dziekanat.biol@uw.edu.pl.

Candidates will receive an email confirmation of document submission. If no confirmation is received, please contact the project leader.

Required documents:

• Personal questionnaire – available on the Faculty of Biology UW website.
• Motivation letter including description of scientific interests and research activity plan.

Ensure the completeness of your application and submit it by the deadline. Failure to meet these requirements will result in rejection on formal grounds.

Please, ensure that your application is complete and submitted by the deadline indicated!

Criteria for the assessment of candidates in a competition:

• Competencies relevant to the project, as demonstrated by the candidate’s publication record, doctoral thesis, or letters of recommendation;
• The quality of the candidate’s publication record and experience in obtaining research funding;
• The research potential of the proposed research plan and its significance for the candidate’s scientific development.

Stages of competiton:

• Stage I - formal evaluation of documents,
• Stage II - substantive evaluation on the basis of submitted documents,
• Stage III - interview with selected candidates, during which the candidate will be required to give a short presentation on their previous achievements and career plans, followed by a Q&A session with members of the selection committee,
• Stage IV - final evaluation of competence, experience and scientific achievements,
• Stage V - adjudication of the competition and announcement of results.

Interviews will take place between the 9th and 20th of November, 2026. Candidates will be individually notified via email about their interview schedule with the selection committee.

Candidates will be informed of the results via email by 30th November 2026.

Additional comments

Contact for any questions relating to the competition:

Via email: a.walewska@uw.edu.pl (please include the announcement reference number).

Accessibility needs should be indicated on the Candidate’s Questionnaire, in: Other relevant information from a candidate.

The University of Warsaw has implemented the procedure for whistleblowers reporting cases of law violation and for undertaking follow-up actions. For more information about this topic and the processing of candidates’ personal data please follow the link

The University of Warsaw is a winner of the HR Excellence in Research award granted by the European Commission to institutions adhering to the European Charter for Researchers.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Faculty of Biology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences
• Country: Poland
• City: Warsaw
• Postal Code: 02-096
• Street: Miecznikowa 1

Contact

• City: Warsaw
• Website: http://www.biol.uw.edu.pl/pl/wydzial
• Street: Miecznikowa 1
• Postal Code: 02-096
• E-Mail: a.walewska@uw.edu.pl, dziekanat.biol@uw.edu.pl