진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

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

Project Title: OPUS 27 Characterization of nucleic acids as the allosteric activators of PAD4, UMO-2024/53/B/NZ5/01005, PSP: K/NCN/000478

Project description

The selected candidate will work on the NCN-funded project aimed at investigating the interactions between human peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) and various types of nucleic acids. PAD4 is an enzyme whose activity is regulated by calcium ion binding. However, the relatively low physiological concentrations of these ions in the human body, which are insufficient for full enzyme activation, suggest the existence of other regulatory mechanisms. Due to its nuclear localization signal and involvement in nucleic acid-related processes (such as NETosis), we hypothesize that PAD4 can be activated by DNA/RNA. The selected candidate will be involved in elucidating the detailed mechanism of PAD4 interaction and activation by nucleic acids, both in the context of biochemical and cellular studies.

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 teacher.

The candidate's responsibilities will include:
• Designing and preparing constructs for the expression of PAD4 protein variants.
• Purifying recombinant proteins using liquid chromatography techniques.
• Analyzing the activity, structure, and function of PAD4 protein variants in the context of interactions with various nucleic acids (activity assays, SPR, MST, thermal stability, tryptophan residue fluorescence).
• Participating in crystallographic/cryo-EM studies of PAD4-nucleic acid complexes.
• Contributing to research on the identification of selective aptamers for PAD4 activation/inhibition.
• Assisting in the preparation of samples for proteomic analysis of cell lines with different PAD4 variants.

Planned duration of employment: 39 months

Working time: Full time

Expected date of employment commencement: October 2025