Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development is a Research Institute within the Łukasiewicz Research Network. It focuses on development of new technologies, resulting from basic and applied research, which, in turn, serves as a basis for innovative solutions for the industry. With high-class specialists and state-of-the-art infrastructure, we provide capacity for the most advanced research. Our Institute consists of three research centers – Life Sciences & Biotechnology Center, Materials Science & Engineering Center and Center for Population Diagnostics, with access to specialized core laboratories – a combination, which allows to carry out both, scientific research and pilot studies for the industry in a comprehensive manner.
We currently seek applicants for PhD student in the Synaptogenesis Research Group.
The Synaptogenesis group is a laboratory conducting multidisciplinary research on the brain, skeletal muscles, and neuromuscular junctions. Our laboratory is multicultural, with about half of the lab members coming from abroad. We are committed to conducting innovative research at the best international level. Our recent publication Rojek K. et al., „Amot and Yap1 regulate neuronal dendritic tree complexity and locomotor coordination in mice” published in Plos Biology 2019 May 1;17(5):e3000253 has been awarded the prestigious Konorski Award for the best publication in neuroscience in Poland published in a given year. Our recent publications include:
Gessler R., et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 2024
Kwan HR., et al., Sci Adv. 2023
Rojek K. et al., PLoS Biol. 2019
Kepser LJ., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019
We are currently recruiting a Ph.D. student researcher for a project funded by the National Science Center (NCN) grant 2024/55/B/NZ3/02433. In this project, we will investigate the role of AMOTL1 in the brain in relation to psychiatric disorders. It is an innovative project, as the functions of AMOTL1 in the central nervous system have not been previously reported. Our laboratory, however, obtained strong preliminary data demonstrating that AMOTL1 regulates a spectrum of important processes in neurons and the brain. Conditional knockout mice lacking AMOTL1 expression specifically in neurons exhibit a spectrum of behavioral abnormalities characteristic of mouse models of psychiatric disorders. The primary scope of the current project is to dissect the functions of AMOTL1 in specific brain circuits that regulate emotional states and behavior. Our laboratory employs a range of cutting-edge methods, including but not limited to tissue-specific genetic modifications in mice, regulation of gene expression using recombinant AAV viruses, proteomics, RNA sequencing, complex biochemistry, neurotransmitter analysis, confocal microscopy, and cell culture. By joining the project, you will gain knowledge of various techniques from different fields of biology, and the results obtained will likely be published in reputable international journals.
Major responsibilities:
- Planning, designing, and conducting scientific experiments.
- Writing manuscripts, presenting results at international scientific meetings.
- Active participation in the laboratory operations.
Expectations:
- A M.Sc. degree (or equivalent).
- Scientific productivity.
- Experience in laboratory work in the field of biology, especially in the field of neuroscience.
- Leadership and excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Very good English (both written and spoken).
- Experience in neuroscience, omics data analysis, and experiments on mice will be an additional benefit.
Knowledge of any of the following techniques will be considered as added value: immunostaining of cells and tissues, confocal microscopy, Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, protein purification, molecular cloning, PCR and qRT-PCR, viral-based gene delivery, cell culture, performing experiments on mice, breeding of transgenic and knockout animals.
Specific Requirements:
The candidate must meet the requirements of NCN project Regulations, for more information regarding the PhD student role requirements in NCN OPUS 28 check here: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2024/uchwala84_2024-zal1.pdf
Our offer:
- Scholarship contract.
- Cutting-edge research with a good publishing record of the group.
- Training in the use of modern techniques, including work with conditional knockout mice for tissue-specific deletion, complex biochemistry, protein complex purification, in vivo imaging of synapses, and manipulations of neurons in the brain using AAVs.
Please send your resume via the link:
https://system.erecruiter.pl/FormTemplates/RecruitmentForm.aspx?WebID=9e87ad119f294bb4867ac96496bda326
Application deadline: 30.07.2025
We kindly inform you that the controller of your personal data is Network Institute operating under the name of Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Stabłowicka 147, 54-066 Wrocław, Poland. The data contained in job application will be processed for the purposes of the current recruitment process, and – if the consent is given – for the purposes of future recruitment. We kindly inform you about your right to access your data and correct it, as well as your right to withdraw your consent to data processing at any time without the impact on the compliance with the law of the processing performed on the grounds of consent given before withdrawal thereof. Providing personal information is voluntary.
More information on the protection of personal data: https://port.lukasiewicz.gov.pl/en/data-protection/
Information about candidates applying for the above role is public information in the scope covered by the requirements specified in the recruitment announcement. Information on the result of the recruitment process, including the job position for which the recruitment was carried out, the name or names and surname of the selected candidate and his place of residence within the meaning of the provisions of the Act of 23 April 1964 – Civil Code as well as the justification of the candidate’s selection or not employing any the candidate will be made public in accordance with the Act of February 21, 2019 on the Łukasiewicz Research Network.
We kindly inform you that we will contact only selected candidates.