Assistant (Postdoctoral Researcher) (F/M/X)

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions: Postdoc Positions

Application Deadline: 21 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw)

Country: Poland

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 40

Offer Starting Date: 16 Nov 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Institute or IP PAS) announces a competition for an assistant (Postdoctoral Researcher) (F/M/X) to conduct scientific research within the National Science Centre project OPUS 30, no. 2025/59/B/NZ9/03195, entitled “Efficacy of catechol betaxanthins in counteracting dopaminergic neurodegeneration”.

Research Topic Description:

The project evaluates the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of catechol betaxanthins in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease. The in vitro part includes studies in primary dopaminergic neuron cultures and in neurons and neuron-glia co-cultures differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible mainly for the advanced in vitro models.

KEYWORDS: Parkinson’s disease, dopaminergic neurons, iPSC, stem cells, cell culture, neuroprotection, high-content imaging, neurobiology.

SCOPE OF DUTIES:

1. Establishing and maintaining primary midbrain dopaminergic neuron cultures;
2. Culture of human iPSC and their differentiation into neurons, neuron-glia co-cultures and/or forebrain organoids derived from iPSC;
3. Optimisation of iPSC models at the Institute and participation in organising the iPSC culture laboratory, including preparation of equipment and reagent purchases;
4. Neuroprotective validation studies of the tested compounds, including high-content imaging;
5. Participation in animal experiments conducted in the project;
6. Analyzing and interpreting experimental data, including selection of appropriate statistical tests and data visualization;
7. Preparing research reports, scientific manuscripts and conference presentations;
8. Maintaining laboratory documentation in accordance with applicable standards and ensuring compliance with ethical regulations concerning animal experimentation;
9. Strict adherence to the Code of Ethics for PAS employees;
10. Compliance with internal regulations and official directives in force at the IP PAS.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Candidates meeting the formal conditions are evaluated according to the following criteria: scientific record, methodological experience relevant to the project tasks, independence and experience in conducting research tasks or projects, references, interview (invited candidates only).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employment within the project under a full-time employment contract (task-based work system) for a period of 24 months. The salary will be in accordance with the NCN regulations, i.e. PLN 180,000 gross gross per year. The planned starting date of employment is November / December 2026, negotiable with the selected candidate.

Where to apply

E-mail: ifpan@if-pan.edu.pl

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences » Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Medical sciences » Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Neurosciences » Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

A person for the position of an assistant (post-doc) (F/M/X) should meet the following conditions:

1. A doctoral degree in biological, medical or pharmaceutical sciences, neuroscience, cell biology or a related field, obtained in the year of employment in the project or within 12 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by the documented time spent on long-term (over 90 days) sickness or rehabilitation benefits due to incapacity for work. In addition, it may be extended by the number of months of parental or childcare leave granted under the Polish Labour Code, and for women by 18 months for each child born or adopted, if this method of accounting for career breaks is more advantageous;
2. A doctoral degree obtained at an institution other than IP PAS, or completion of at least a 9-month, continuous and documented research stay during doctoral education or after obtaining the doctoral degree, at an institution other than IP PAS and in a country other than the country in which the doctoral degree was obtained;
3. During the period of employment in the project, the candidate may not receive any other salary funded from direct costs of research projects financed by the National Science Centre (NCN);
4. During the period of employment in the project, the candidate may not be employed under an employment contract by another employer, including employers based outside of Poland;
5. During the period of employment in the project, the candidate may not receive retirement or equivalent benefits in Poland or abroad;
6. Documented experience in advanced in vitro cell culture (e.g. primary cultures, stem cell cultures, organotypic cultures);
7. Documented experience in immunofluorescence or immunocytochemistry techniques;
8. At least one original first-authored paper in a journal listed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR);
9. Completed training required for persons planning and conducting procedures and euthanizing animals used for scientific or educational purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Polish Act on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific or Educational Purposes (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 465, of 2025, item 1795);
10. Advanced command of the English language, both spoken and written;
11. Exemplary ethical conduct.

Additional assets will include:

1. Experience in human stem cell culture, neuronal differentiation or organoid culture;
2. Experience in primary dopaminergic neuron cultures and Parkinson’s disease models;
3. Experience in confocal microscopy, high-content imaging and quantitative image analysis;
4. Experience in independently conducting research tasks or projects and in international collaboration;
5. Experience in working with animal models of neurodegenerative diseases;
6. Command of the Polish language, both spoken and written.

Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent

Research Field: Biological sciences » Other; Medical sciences » Other; Neurosciences » Other; Other

Years of Research Experience: 4 - 10

Additional Information

Selection process

Applications along with the required documentation should be sent in electronic form to the following e-mail address: ifpan@if-pan.edu.pl by 21.10.2026.

The title of the message should indicate which competition the application concerns: “Competition - Assistant (post-doc) (F/M/X) - Dept. of Brain Biochemistry IP PAS, OPUS 30 grant”.

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. CV with a list of publications including DOI or PMID numbers and the ORCID iD;
5. Copy of the doctoral diploma or certificate confirming the award of the doctoral degree, with a translation into Polish or English if issued in another language;
6. Short self-report (up to 2 pages - main research achievements and methodological experience);
7. Copy of the certificate of completion of training required for persons planning and conducting procedures and euthanizing animals used for scientific or educational purposes, in accordance with the provisions of the Polish Act on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific or Educational Purposes (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 465, of 2025, item 1795);
8. At least one reference letter and contact details of referees who have agreed to provide information about the candidate and to be contacted;
9. Certificate of English language proficiency, if available;
10. Documents confirming periods extending the post-PhD period and the research stay abroad, if the candidate relies on that condition (if applicable);
11. Statement on the primary place of employment and affiliation of research and publications, in accordance with Appendix 3 to the Form;
12. Information on the processing of personal data in accordance with Appendix 4 to the Form;
13. A declaration of impeccable ethical attitude in accordance with Appendix 5 to the Form.

Appendixes available at: https://if-pan.edu.pl/edukacja-i-kariera/oferty-pracy/

Additional comments

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, according to the criteria listed above.

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.

Further information: Grzegorz Kreiner, PhD, grzegorz.kreiner@if-pan.edu.pl

Date of the competition announcement – 2.10.2026

Deadline for submitting applications – 21.10.2026

Date of the competition settlement – 29.10.2026

Website for additional job details: https://if-pan.edu.pl/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences

Country: Poland

City: Krakow

Postal Code: PL31343

Street: 12 Smętna street

Contact

City: Krakow

Website: https://if-pan.edu.pl/

Street: 12 Smętna street

Postal Code: PL31343

E-Mail: ifpan@if-pan.edu.pl