Postdoctoral Researcher In The Laboratory Of Molecular And Cellular Neurobiology

Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology at the International Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Warsaw, headed by Prof. Jacek Jaworski, seeks motivated  Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team.

You will join the project entitled "Destabilization of neuronal morphology in chronic inflammation: molecular mechanisms and identification of potential therapeutic agents" carried out as the OPUS 29 grant, 2025/57/B/NZ5/03511 of the National Science Centre, Poland led by Prof. Jacek Jaworski.

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

Dendritic arbors play a crucial role in the integration of synaptic information, and their structure typically remains stable throughout most of life. However, under pathological conditions such as chronic inflammation, stress, or aging, this stability may be disrupted, contributing to cognitive decline. Dendritic simplification is one of the most consistently documented markers of brain aging and dementia progression. Despite the importance of these changes, the molecular mechanisms that drive the destabilization of mature dendrites remain poorly understood. In our cellular models, we have shown that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β induces broad transcriptional changes and dendritic destabilization, yet the protein mediators of these processes remain unidentified. Moreover, it is unclear whether inflammation-regulated factors contribute to cognitive deficits observed in infection, depression, neurodegeneration, or aging. Identifying these mechanisms may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches aimed at supporting neuronal function. Therefore, the project aims (i) to identify key inflammation-regulated genes and proteins responsible for dendritic arbor destabilization and cognitive impairment, and (ii) to discover and preliminarily evaluate small-molecule compounds capable of protecting neurons from inflammation- and age-induced structural deterioration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

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2. Planning and performing experiments planned in the project using in vitro and in vivo models in order to reach project aims
3. Complex data analysis
4. Active participation in manuscript preparation and results dissemination.
5. Supporting PI in mentoring and supervision of PhD students working in the project

CANDIDATE PROFILE

We are looking for a researcher who:

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2. Holds (or is about to obtain) a PhD in neurobiology, pharmacology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or related fields.
3. Fulfills the formal criteria outlined in paragraph 2, point 2.1.1 of the NCN regulations:
4. Has strong expertise in neuroscience, cell biology techniques including culturing neurons, complex data analysis and work with rodents. Experience with drug-screens design is a plus.
5. Is curious about mechanisms of brain homeostasis and aging.
6. Has a solid publication record and can work independently.
7. Communicates fluently in English (written and oral)
8. Is enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative environment

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

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2. Education and formal qualifications.
3. Technical expertise and relevance of experience to the project.
4. Scientific achievements (e.g., publications, awards, grants, international collaborations).
5. Proficiency in English (written and spoken).
6. Soft skills, including:
   • Clarity and impact of motivation letter.
   • Communication and teamwork abilities.
   • Organizational and time-management skills.
   • Compatibility with the research group's goals and vision.

WE OFFER:

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2. Full-time employment for 6 months with the possibility of extension for the whole duration of the project (4 year in total).
3. Competitive salary of approximately 9700 PLN gross/month.
4. 13th salary after working for at least 6 calendar months in a given year, private medical care, and Multisport benefit.
5. 100% research focus - no teaching duties.
6. Support from a lab manager and technical assistant.
7. Access to cutting-edge equipment (custom-built TIRF microscope, core facilities).
8. Strong mentorship toward independent funding applications (e.g., NCN, EMBO, MSCA).
9. Opportunities for international training, courses, and conferences.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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2. Apply via recruitment system: erecruiter
3. Your application must be submitted in English and should contain:

• CV (including list of publications and list of skills),
• motivation letter,
• description of your key achievements,
  • contact details at least two referees, including one of your supervisors

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2. Please include the following statement in your application: "I hereby agree to the processing of my personal data, included in the application documents by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Księcia Trojdena Street, Warsaw, for the purpose of carrying out the current recruitment process." Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of the recruitment procedure by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. Full information is available under the link:
3. Procedure for reporting irregularities, taking follow-up actions, and protecting whistleblowers:

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Start date: February 2026 (flexible)

Candidates will be selected in an open competition, according to the procedure complying with the European Charter for Researchers rules and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers as part of the HR Excellence in Research strategy

The competition may be extended until a suitable candidate who fulfills all requirements is found.

I consent to the processing of my personal data provided in the application documents (i.e. application form, CV) by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, ul. Księcia Trojdena 4, Warsaw, for the purposes of future recruitment processes organized by the Administrator. The data will be used for open recruitment procedures within the next 3 months. I have been informed that I may withdraw this consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

1. DATA ADMINISTRATOR

1. The Data Administrator is the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, ul. Księcia Trojdena 4, Warsaw.
2. For matters related to the protection of your personal data, you can contact the Data Protection Officer appointed by the Administrator by sending an email to [email protected]
3. In the recruitment processes for the positions based on an employment contract (Labor Code), the Administrator expects the provision of personal data (e.g. in a CV or resume) only to the extent specified by the labor law (Article 22¹ of the Labor Code). If the applicant provides other data that the Administrator does not need, it is assumed that the job applicant has given his/her implied consent to their processing, which may be withdrawn at any time without affecting the lawfulness of the processing carried out before the withdrawal.
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1. PURPOSES AND BASES OF THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

The data collected during the recruitment process, which Administrator has received directly from you, will be processed:

1. a) to fulfill the legal obligations related to the recruitment process on the basis of an employment contract pursuant to Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR – a legal obligation of the Administrator under the Labor Code (Article 22¹ of the Labor Code); or
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2. In connection with the conduct of scientific activities, personal data may be disclosed to external entities, including, in particular, the entities that may provide the Administrator with information about candidate's diploma issued by a foreign university, as well as his/her level of study and university status - (in accordance with Article of the Law on Higher Education and Science) or the entities cooperating with the Administrator in the implementation of research projects, if the interested person is involved in such a project, in particular:
3. in the case of Projects funded by the National Science Centre, the recipient of the data will be the National Science Centre in Cracow with its seat at ul. Twardowskiego 16, Cracow, Tax Identification Number: ,
4. in the case of Projects funded by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, the recipient of the data will be the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, with its seat at ul. Polna 40, Warsaw, Tax Identification Number: ,
5. in the case of Projects financed by the Foundation for Polish Science, the recipient of the data will be the Foundation for Polish Science with its seat at ul. I. Krasickiego 20/22, Warsaw, Tax Identification Number: ,
6. in the case of Projects financed by the National Centre for Research and Development, the recipient of the data will be the National Centre for Research and Development with its seat at ul. Nowogrodzka 47a, Warsaw, Tax Identification Number: ,
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Recipients of personal data may also be foreign funding agencies, as well as other agencies, institutions or entities that may be a source of funding. The mentioned institutions will be indicated each time in the employment contract.

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2. The Data Administrator does not transfer data outside the EEA.

1. PERIOD OF DATA STORAGE AND PROCESSING
2. The personal data will be processed for the period necessary to achieve the purposes described above, i.e.,
3. a) until the end of the recruitment process for the position indicated,
4. b) in case of consent to the processing of data for future recruitment by the Administrator – until the withdrawal of this consent, but no longer than 6 months after the end of the recruitment process,
5. c) each time after the completed recruitment process for the limitation periods of civil law claims in order to enable the defense against possible claims or the pursuit of claims if there is a risk that such claims will be asserted by or against the Administrator, but no longer than 3 years after the end of the recruitment process.
6. The data may only be processed for a longer period for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) if it is likely that the erasure of the data would render impossible or seriously impair the achievement of the purposes of that processing.

1. RIGHTS IN RELATION TO PERSONAL DATA

You have the following rights in connection with the processing of your personal data:

1. a) the right of access to personal data;
2. b) the right to rectify personal data;
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5. e) the right to data portability (in case of processing based on a contract or consent, if the processing is automated)
6. f) the right to object to the processing of personal data (on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) or (f), including profiling)
7. g) the right not to be the subject to a decision based solely on automated processing - the Administrator states that it does not process data on the basis of automated decision-making;
8. h) if the processing of personal data is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal;
9. i) in case of unlawful processing of personal data, you have the right to make a complaint with the national supervisory authority for data protection, i.e. the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (ul. Stawki 2, Warsaw).