Assistant at the Department of Neurochemistry Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences – full-time

INSTITUTION:    Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences

CITY:                    Krakow

POSITION:          Assistant at the Department of Neurochemistry

                             Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences

                             – full-time

SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE:     Medical / Pharmaceutical Sciences

ANNOUNCEMENT DATE:        April 17, 2025

SUBMISSION DUE TO:           May 12, 2025

LINK:                                        http://www-if-pan.krakow.pl/

KEYWORDS:  nervous system, pharmacology, neuropathic pain

Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Institute or IF PAN) announces the competition for an assistant position at the Department of Neurochemistry IP PAS for the implementation of applied research in the biomedical field, competition number 2024/ABM/03/KPO “Optimization of Bioavailability and Verification of the Therapeutic Potential of Tryptamide in Neurological Diseases”.

Principal Investigator: Professor Andrzej Bojarski, PhD

Project coordinator at the Dept. of Neurochemistry: Professor Katarzyna Starowicz-Bubak, PhD

We are looking for a person for the assistant position interested in undertaking biochemical and behavioral research at the Department of Neurochemistry IP PAS.

A candidate for the position of an assistant should meet the following conditions:

1. Doctoral degree in biological, medical, pharmaceutical, or related sciences;
2. Experience in working in a molecular and biochemical laboratory (knowledge of selected techniques or research methods: ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and/or RT-qPCR ) and with animals (intraperitoneal drug injection; conducting behavioral tests: tail-flick test, von Frey test and/or cold plate test; tissue collection for biochemical tests);
3. Knowledge of issues related to the study of mechanisms of chronic pain, confirmed by publications;
4. Experience in grant projects’ implementation (at least as an investigator), independent analysis and interpretation of results, preparation of manuscripts.
5. Confirmed active participation in scientific life, manifested in speeches/presentations at international conferences and symposiums;
6. Completed and certified training for person performing procedures and experiments with the use of laboratory animals used in accordance with the Act on the protection of animals used for scientific and educational purposes (as in Journal of Laws of 2023, item 465);
7. Teamwork skills, good time management, communication skills;
8. Interest in scientific work;
9. Impeccable ethical attitude;
10. Ability to speak and write English;

An additional advantage will be:

1. Complete at least short-term internships in research centres;
2. Experience in collaboration with interdisciplinary research centers (confirmed by publications);
3. Ability to speak and write Polish;

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Conducting behavioral tests on experimental animals, monitoring the development of behavioral features in an animal model of neuropathic pain;
2. Conducting molecular and biochemical assays using methods to assess the expression and level of genes and proteins, e.g. ELISA, Western blot, qPCR;
3. Reliable documentation of experimental work, performing statistical analyzes;
4. Analysis of literature data on project issues;
5. Preparing manuscripts for publication and presenting the obtained results during scientific conferences;
6. Strict adherence to the code of ethics of Polish Academy of Sciences employee;
7. Compliance with the regulations and orders in force at the IP PAS.

Opportunities that await the candidate:

1. Cooperation with a team of experienced scientists with a recognized reputation in Poland and abroad who have know-how in the techniques described in the form;
2. Work in a friendly environment;
3. Support of experienced members of the group (senior reseachers);
4. Opportunity for professional development.
   

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employment in the project under a full-time employment contract for a period of 10 months. Remuneration in accordance with the regulations of ABM competition.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Application for employment for the above-mentioned position together with a cover letter with a description of scientific interests;
2. Information about the candidate in accordance with Appendix 1 to the Form;
3. Personal questionnaire for a person applying for employment in accordance with Appendix 2 to the Form;
4. A copy of the doctoral diploma or a certificate of obtaining a doctoral degree;
5. Short self-presentation text;
6. A copy of the certificate of completion of training in conducting research with the use of laboratory animals;
7. Contact details of persons who can provide references and who agreed to be contacted or the opinion of the current scientific supervisor;
8. Certificate of English language proficiency, if available;
9. Statement on the primary place of employment and affiliation of research and publications, in accordance with App. No. 3 to the Form;
10. Information on the processing of personal data in accordance with Appendix 4 to the Form;
11. A declaration of impeccable ethical attitude in accordance with Appendix 5 to the Form.

Applications along with the required documentation should be sent in electronic form to the following e-mail address: ifpan@if-pan.krakow.pl  by May 12, 2025.

The title of the message should indicate which competition the application concerns:
“Competition – Assistant at the Department of Neurochemistry (ABM)”.

The candidate who receives the best score during the substantive evaluation of the documents will be recommended for employment.

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 competition without giving any reason.

For additional information, please contact:

Professor Katarzyna Starowicz-Bubak, PhD – starow@if-pan.krakow.pl

Date of the competition announcement –  April 17, 2025

Deadline for submitting applications – May 12, 2025

Date of the competition settlement – May 19, 2025