진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Jagiellonian University in Kraków promotes cooperation and cares for a good atmosphere based on mutual trust. It implements the strategy resulting from The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, creating stable conditions for employment as well as the development of academic career, which resulted in the award of the HR Excellence in Research by the European Commission

Job offer no. 1227.1101.55.2025

RECTOR of the Jagiellonian University
announces
a selection procedure for the position of
an ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 

Project Title: Inducing molecular proximity to modulate cellular polyamine metabolism First Team FENG, Grant agreement no. FENG.02.02-IP.05-0228/23, competition no. 1/2023, PSP: S/FS0/0402, PRIORITY 2 OF THE PROGRAMME EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR SMART ECONOMY 2021-2027 (FENG)

Field of science: Sciences and life sciences

Discipline: Biological Sciences or Chemical sciences

Scope: Structural biology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, synthetic chemistry or related

Number of posts: 1

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment contract

Working time: Full- time

Planned duration of employment: 12 months, possibility of extension until the end of the project

Expected date of employment commencement: second quarter 2024

Remuneration: according to the Rules for Remunerating Jagiellonian University Employees
~160 000 gross PLN/year

Project description:
The research project focuses on developing innovative strategies for modulating polyamine metabolism by inducing molecular proximity between proteins that are key to this process. The project aims to develop new molecules that induce proximity in the polyamine metabolism pathway by combining methodologies such as crystallographic fragment screening, imaging of protein complexes, and studies of cellular polyamine metabolism. The goal is to create a bifunctional molecule that stabilizes the complex of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and antizyme (Az), which are crucial for polyamine metabolism. Additionally, the project aims to develop the first-in-class modulator of the hypusination process, a unique modification of the eIF5A factor essential for protein translation. Structure-based studies of protein-molecule complexes and their chemical optimization are key to the project's success. The experiments will be supported by data analysis from various research techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy. The studies will be validated at the enzymatic and cellular levels to assess the efficacy of the developed molecules. The project will contribute to the development of novel strategies for modulating polyamine metabolism and the creation of new research tools with therapeutic potential.

Scope of duties:

According to the Work Regulations of the Jagiellonian University Annex 1 to the Work Regulations of the Jagiellonian University – Model scopes of responsibilities and duties of academic teachers.

The hired person will be responsible for independently coordinating tasks, making rational and logical decisions to solve problems, and introducing new techniques and tools. The best-selected candidate will be required to learn and optimize new methods in the fields of structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and medicinal chemistry. The work will include optimizing selected activity assays, conducting experiments based on activity tests, designing new bifunctional molecules, preparing samples for structural studies, and preparing reports.