Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences
Offer Description
One Postdoctoral Researcher position is available in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS within Virtual Research Institute (WIB) - Łukasiewicz Research Network - PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Co-Financed by the Polish Science Fund, project no. WIB-4/2024-O04, entitled “Personalized antibody–drug conjugates activated by matrix metalloproteinases for solid tumors [PACMAN]”, led by Prof. Marcin Poręba – Leader of WIB_PACMAN project, Prof. Marcin Drąg – Team Leader of IChF Group in WIB_PACMAN project.
Join a project developing innovative tools for targeted therapies! The project will employ highly sensitive fluorescent probes to identify, localize, and quantitatively assess the activity of selected proteases in cancer cells, neutrophils, PBMCs, and tissue samples. The combination of advanced peptide synthesis and purification methods, biochemistry, and confocal microscopy will enable real-time monitoring and quantitative analysis of changes in fluorescence signals. The results obtained may directly contribute to the development of more effective and safer targeted therapeutic strategies. A candidate with strong theoretical and practical expertise in peptide chemistry is sought to address ambitious research challenges at the interface of chemical biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Access to state-of-the-art research equipment, modern and well-equipped laboratories, and an interdisciplinary research environment will be provided, offering the opportunity to contribute to a project with significant potential for advancing modern medicine.
Responsibilities
1. Experimental design and sample preparation
Designing and preparing experimental systems, including peptide-based fluorescent probes, biological samples, and relevant cellular and tissue models.
2. Peptide synthesis and biochemical characterization
Conducting peptide synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization, as well as performing biochemical experiments to investigate the activity and specificity of selected proteases.
3. Advanced fluorescence measurements and quantitative imaging
Performing and optimizing fluorescence-based measurements, including confocal microscopy, and quantitative fluorescence imaging, to monitor and quantify protease activity in real time.
4. Data analysis and interpretation
Processing, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data, including quantitative analysis of fluorescence signals and their changes in biological systems.
5. Documentation and reporting
Preparing experimental documentation, research reports, and summaries of results, as well as contributing to scientific publications and project-related deliverables.
Role in the project:
Position 1 - Design and conducting experiments: synthesis and analysis of peptides, biochemical experiments, data analysis.
The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments, including the synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides and peptide-based fluorescent probes, performing biochemical and cell-based experiments, carrying out advanced fluorescence and quantitative imaging measurements, and analyzing and interpreting the resulting data.
Where to apply
E-mail: rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl
Requirements
- Research Field: Chemistry — Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry — Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Requirements for the candidate – the candidate:
- holds PhD in chemical or biochemical sciences or related fields;
- has solid knowledge and experience at work in peptide synthesis and purification, biochemistry assays, bioimaging and in the cell culture laboratory;
- has published at least two publications as the first author in an international peer-reviewed journal;
- has the ability to prepare reports, communicate with Team Members, present results (also during the conferences) and prepare draft scientific papers for academic journals in English;
- has excellent ability to work independently and in a high-performing team;
- has to comply with the non-compete policy following the WIB Program guidelines.
Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Good
Research Field: Chemistry — Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry — Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Additional Information
Benefits
We offer a monthly salary up to PLN 15,000 (depending on experience and qualifications). This amount shall be subject to obligatory deductions for health and social insurance, advance income tax payments, and other public dues of the employer and the employee arising from generally applicable provisions.
Job type: Full-time employment contract
Maximum planned period of contract: 40 months
We offer:
- Position with 100% focus on research (no teaching obligations).
- Benefits including a reduced rate for an individual private medical healthcare package and membership in the MultiSport programme.
- Full technical, administrative and organisational support from professional English-speaking personnel.
- Participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring.
Career development prospects at IChF:
- The successful candidate will be part of a Combinatorial Chemistry and Biochemistry Group in IChF.
- Opportunity to advance scientific knowledge and gain experience in the research at the border of biological science and physical chemistry in a prestigious application-oriented project.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of experienced chemists, engineers and biologists.
- Participation in international conferences and Erasmus+ programme.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates will be selected in an open competition, complying with the principles underlying the “European Charter for Researchers” and the “Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” as a part of IChF “HR Excellence in Research” strategy.
The position will also be awarded in accordance with the granting agency regulations: Standardy rekrutacji do Zespołów Badawczych w ramach Wirtualnego Instytutu Badawczego oraz przeprowadzanie ewaluacji ich stosowania, the IChF employment policy and the General Rules Governing Competitions for Research Posts at the IPC PAS in Warsaw.
How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;
IMPORTANT! e-mail subject: “Recruitment no. 61/2026”
The Selection Committee evaluates applications and interviews candidates on a point scale. The position will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.
If the top candidate resigns, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.
The results of the competition are made public.
The competition may be extended until a suitable candidate who fulfils all requirements is recruited.
Selection process
Required documents:
- Professional curriculum vitae, including:
- list of publications with the indication of a maximum of five most important works carried out in the last 5 years (after deduction of breaks in research work), patent applications, patents, implementations, research projects;
- at least one opinion of the candidate, issued by an independent researcher;
- correspondence address and / or e-mail address and telephone number of the candidate,
- a cover letter not exceeding 3,500 characters (1 A4 page) containing concise information on scientific / professional interests, achievements to date, possible participation in research projects and own research interests,
- scan of PhD Diploma (chemistry, biochemistry or related discipline),
- the candidate's declaration that he/she has become acquainted with the General Rules Governing Competitions for Research Posts at IChF in Warsaw (https://ichf.edu.pl/files/intranet/o%C5%9Bwiadczenie_statement.docx).
The commission evaluates applications on a point scale (max 100 points).
The Commission will take into account the following criteria:
- competences to perform specific tasks in a research project (max 30 points);
- previous scientific achievements, including publications in the renowned publishers/scientific journals, grants, awards, opinion of the candidate, issued by an independent researcher (max 20 points);
- soft skills – command of English language, communication skills, teamwork, compatibility of plans for individual development with the goals of the group (max 10 points);
- creativity measured by the quality and number of scientific publications in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding author or significant author and patent applications/patents and/or implementation (max 10 points);
- mobility in the candidate's career (research internships, change in scientific profile, internships and work in industry) (max 10 points);
- the number of citations of the candidate's work, especially those papers in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding author or significant author (max 10 points);
- creativity measured by the quality and number of research projects the candidate has led and publications resulting from the implementation of those projects (max 10 points).
Top candidates will be invited for an online or in-person interview. Good command of English is required. We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.
Only candidates with a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the position. A position will be offered to the person who obtains the highest number of points. The Recruitment Committee may not recommend any candidate for the position.
Additional comments
The announcement will be published on the following websites:
https://wib.port.org.pl/en/homepage/
An unsuccessful candidate has the right to file a complaint about any action in the recruitment process. The appeal shall be lodged with the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of the appropriate information. The decision of the Director of the Institute is final.
More information about WIB: https://wib.port.org.pl/en/homepage/
More information about the Research Team: https://ichf.edu.pl/en/groups/soft-condensed-matter
GDPR: https://ichf.edu.pl/files/intranet/rodo-tresc-obowiazkowa.doc
By submitting the application you consent to the processing of your personal data in the recruitment process.
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
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS
- Country: Poland
- State/Province: Mazowieckie
- City: Warsaw
- Postal Code: 01-224
- Street: Kasprzaka 44/52
Contact
- State/Province: Mazowieckie
- City: Warsaw
- Website: https://ichf.edu.pl/en/job
- Street: Warsaw, Kasprzaka 44/52
- Postal Code: PL-01-224