Assistant (post-doc) in the Laboratory of Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences

The aim of the competition is to select a candidate for the position of assistant (post-doc) in the Laboratory of Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences (IP PAS or Institute), to conduct research as part of the National Science Centre’s OPUS 26 project entitled “Potential pharmacological strategies aimed at alleviating cognitive dysfunctions accompanying oncological therapy while enhancing the anticancer effect” (no. 2023/51/B/NZ5/01637).

Description of research topic:

Cancer treatment is associated with serious adverse effects. Taxane-based chemotherapy (docetaxel, DOC) or doxorubicin (DOX) are commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, while enzalutamide or tamoxifen are common hormonal agents (antiandrogens and antiestrogens, respectively). It is estimated that 50–70% of cancer survivors who received CT or HDT experience cognitive deficits that impact their quality of life. Currently, there are no effective solutions to prevent the development of these disorders. The idea of this project is to create
a solution that would, on the one hand, prevent or alleviate cognitive impairment associated with cancer therapy and, on the other hand, enhance the cytotoxic effects of the therapy on cancer cells. Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors could serve as such a solution.
The mGlu1 and mGlu7 subtypes are widely distributed in neuronal loops involved in cognitive processes and have been shown to play a key role in learning and memory. Their expression has also been demonstrated in several tumor lines. The genes encoding mGlu receptors can act as oncogenes, influencing tumor growth and adversely affecting residual disease. Therefore, their inhibition is recommended in cancer patients. Of all the mGlu receptor subtypes, inhibitors of mGlu1 or mGlu7 receptors appear to be the most suitable for improving cognitive function in animal models. Therefore, this group of compounds best fits the proposal’s objectives. The first part of the project will examine the ability of mGlu receptor inhibitors to prevent learning deficits and neurochemical changes induced by CT or HDT in mice, followed by biochemical studies in animal tissues. In parallel, the ability of the ligands to potentiate
the harmful effects of CT or HDT on cancer cells will be examined in vitro. Some of the biochemical mechanisms underlying the development of cognitive dysfunction induced by
CT or HDT are similar to those responsible for the development of malignancies and include RAGE-dependent signaling, S100β expression, AGEs, or glutamate toxicity. Normalization of these pathways could simultaneously mitigate the development of CI and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CT or HDT against cancer cells, exerting a dual beneficial effect.

A candidate for the position of assistant (post-doc) should meet the following requirements:

1. A PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, obtained during the year of employment in the project or within 7 years prior to January 1st of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by the duration of long-term (over 90 days) documented sickness benefits or rehabilitation benefits due to incapacity for work. Additionally, this period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave related to the care and upbringing of children granted under the terms of the Labor Code, and in the case of women,
   by 18 months for each born or adopted child, if this method of indicating career breaks is more favorable.
2. For individuals who have obtained more than one doctoral degree, the reference date is the date of obtaining the first one;
3. The project manager was not the supervisor or co-supervisor of the candidate’s doctoral dissertation;
4. The candidate has obtained a doctoral degree from an entity other than the entity where employment for this position is planned (IP PAS), or has completed at least 10 months of continuous and documented postdoctoral training at an entity other than the entity carrying out the project and in a country other than the country where the doctoral degree was obtained;
5. During the period of receiving remuneration for the aforementioned project, the candidate will not receive any other remuneration from funds allocated as direct costs of research projects financed under NCN competitions;
6. During the period of receiving remuneration for the aforementioned project, the candidate will not receive remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside Poland;
7. At least 5 years of scientific activity, documented by publications;
8. Scientific achievements in the form of at least six full-text publications (including at least two as first author in peer-reviewed scientific journals from Q1);
9. Experience in planning and implementing basic research;
10. At least 2 years of previous experience in a research laboratory using in vitro
11. Supervising master’s theses or doctoral dissertations (preferably in the field of anticancer drug research or metabotropic glutamate receptors in in vitro models);
12. Knowledge of the following experimental techniques:
13. ability to culture both adherent and suspension cells lines,
14. studies on the survival, migration and proliferation of cancer cells,
15. flow cytometer operation,
16. assay ELISA,
17. immunohistochemistry or western blotting techniques,
18. RT-PCR,
19. knowledge of RNA interference (RNAi) techniques, including the design and use of siRNA for selective regulation of gene expression,
20. Ability to publicly present one’s achievements;
21. Strong motivation for research work, ability to work in a team;
22. Fluent use of English language, both spoken and written;
23. Impeccable ethical attitude.

Additional advantage would be:

1. Proficiency in Polish in writing and speaking.

Responsibilities:

1. Performing in vitro studies using cell cultures, studying the survival, migration, and proliferation of cancer cells;
2. Determining AGEs both in vitro and in animal tissues;
3. Analyzing results and archiving data;
4. Writing publications in English;
5. Adherence to the code of ethics of Polish Academy of Sciences employee;
6. Compliance with the regulations and directives operating in the IP PAS.

Employment conditions:

Employment in the project based on a full-time employment contract for a period of 24 months, with the possibility of extension for the duration of the project. Remuneration: PLN 140,000.00 gross gross / year. Source of funding: NCN OPUS 26 grant no. 2023/51/B/NZ5/01637.

Required documents:

1. Application for employment for the above-mentioned position, along with a cover letter and a description of scientific interests;

1. Information about the candidate in accordance with Appendix 1 to the Form;
2. Personal questionnaire for a person applying for employment in accordance with Appendix 2 to the Form;

4. Copy of doctoral diploma or certificate of obtaining a doctoral degree;
5. Short summary of professional experience;
6. Contact details of persons who can provide information about the candidate and who have consented to be contacted;
7. Certificate of English language proficiency, if available;
8. Statement on the primary place of employment and affiliation of research and publications, in accordance with Appendix No. 3 to the Form;
9. Information on the processing of personal data in accordance with Appendix 4 to the Form;

10. Declaration of impeccable ethical attitude in accordance with Appendix 5 to the Form.

Please send applications together with the required documentation in electronic form to the following e-mail address: ifpan@if-pan.krakow.pl by 28.11.2025. In the title of the message, please indicate which competition the application concerns, i.e.: “Competition – Assistant (post-doc) – Lab. of Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders IP PAS
(Opus 26)”.

The winner of the competition will be selected from among those meeting the formal requirements based on the analysis of documents and possible invited interviews.

Please be advised that we will contact only selected candidates and we will not return the submitted documents. We reserve the right to void the contest without giving any reason.

Competition announcement date:  7.11.2025

Deadline for submitting the offers:  28.11.2025

Competition settlement:  8.12.2025