진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Hypoxia and Epigenomics Laboratory

Number of available positions: 1

Place of work: The Hypoxia and Epigenomics Laboratory

Researcher career profiles (R1-R4): R2-R3
Field of science: Biology or similar

Type of recruitment: National Science Centre, Sonata BIS project

Requirements:

• PhD in biology, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics or a related field,
• Experience with bioinformatics tools, including basic R programming, ability to perform genome-wide analyses or willingness to develop these skills (including RNAseq, ATACseq, CUT&RUN, HiC, etc.),
• Previous experience with laboratory work in molecular biology, cell biology, epigenetics or work with mouse tumor models is welcome (but not mandatory),
• The ability to work in a team; Creative approach to research problems,
• PhD degree obtained not earlier than 7 years prior to the year of employment in the project. The 7-year period may be extended by a period specified in the NCN regulations for Sonata Bis,

• Good communication in English language, spoken and written.

  
  

Project description:

Paediatric high-grade gliomas that occur in the brainstem are one of the leading causes of cancer-induced mortality in children. A significant problem in the treatment of these tumours is the exclusion of surgery, as it would pose a great risk of disturbing the structures of the brainstem and potential loss of basic vital functions in patients. The main method of treatment is radiotherapy, i.e. precise ionizing radiation to the affected brain/tumour area, which damages the rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, radiotherapy only temporarily stops the disease, and in most cases, it recurs after a few months. Therefore, there is a great need to aid radiation therapy by developing drugs that would allow the complete elimination of cancer cells with minimal side effects for the patient.

The mutation detected in histone H3 (termed H3K27M mutation) in childhood diffuse midline gliomas (H3K27-altered, DMGs) significantly disrupts H3 epigenetic modifications and thereby globally alters chromatin characteristics in these tumors, causes aberrant gene expression, which supports tumor growth. At the stage of diagnosis, DMGs are already very big, and have extensive regions with low oxygen levels, called hypoxia. Based on the research in other tumour types, we know that hypoxia has a huge impact on the epigenetic modification of histones and, ultimately, the packaging of DNA as well as the activation of individual genes. It is very important to understand the cellular responses to hypoxia in detail, as clinical data show that the greater the hypoxia of a tumour, the smaller are chances of the patient’s survival. 

The presence of hypoxia is also of particular importance in tumours treated with radiotherapy, as the lack of oxygen significantly reduces the harmfulness of ionizing radiation for cancer cells, which overall reduces the effectiveness of the therapy. Importantly, the role of hypoxia in tumorigenesis and therapy response has not been extensively studied in DMGs. In our project, we will focus on identifying the weak points in DMGs that depend on the presence of H3K27M oncohistone and are additionally important for the glioma cells in hypoxia. For this purpose, we will analyse the effect of hypoxia on epigenetic changes in histones, in DNA packaging and in the activation of gene expression in DMG cells with H3K27M. 

The laboratory has established collaboration with clinicians from the Warsaw Children’s Health Centre (IPCZD, Prof. Wiesława Grajkowska, Prof. Joanna Trubicka, extensive expertise with DMGs), as well as with international specialists in epigenetics (Prof. Jakub Mieczkowski, GUMED), in DMGs (Prof. Javad Nazarian, Zurich) and in H3K27M mutation (Prof. Jacek Majewski, Montreal).

Scope of tasks:

• Characterization of chromatin reprogramming in response to hypoxia in DMG cells,
• Analysis of chromatin accessibility (ATACseq), selected histone modifications (CUT&RUN), DNA methylation and chromatin contacts (HiC), which are disturbed by hypoxia and the presence of H3K27M,
• Data analysis and keeping records of performed work,
• Keeping up to date with the new literature related to the project,
• Participation in writing manuscripts as well as presenting results at seminars and scientific conferences,
• Iindependent and creative undertaking of research challenges related to the project as well as working together with other team members.

Employment conditions:

• fixed-term employment contract (possibility of extension up to 5 years),
• starting date: from June 2025. 

Application procedure and deadline:

Applications should be sent to: postdoc@nencki.edu.pl, with note: „KL” by May 9th, 2025.

Required documents:

• CV with the list of publications,
• Short Letter-of-intent (up to 1 A4 page),
• Contact details to 2-3 referees,
• Copy of PhD diploma (or equivalent),
• Contact information, including e-mail address and phone number,
• Statement by the candidate that he/she will not receive remuneration from other projects funded by the National Science Centre,
• Declaration that the candidate will not take up other jobs during the period of employment in the project.

You can use the foreign equivalent of a Polish academic degree if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

• is covered by the provisions of an international agreement on the equivalence of education,
• was issued by an authorized institution operating in an EU, OECD or EFTA Member State,

• was issued in another country and recognized on the basis of the regulations on the recognition of academic degrees obtained abroad (learn more about the procedure for the recognition of academic degrees:

  https://nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition/recognition-for-professional-purposes/recognition-of-scientific-degrees-and-titles

  
  

For more information please contact the Group Leader: Dr Katarzyna Leszczynska; k.leszczynska@nencki.edu.pl

Link to the website: https://nencki.edu.pl/laboratories/laboratory-of-tumour-of-hypoxia-and-…;

The lab website will be shortly updated. One of another project run in the lab with related research problems: https://hit-glio.eu/

Additional information:

Please include the following clause in your CV:

I give consent for my personal data included in the recruitment form to be processed by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3 (data controller) for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC in compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject to (Art. 6 section 1 letter a) and the Act on personal data protection of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000).