Offer Description
KEYWORDS: tryptophan metabolism, specialized metabolites, Arabidopsis thaliana, metabolomics, LC-MS, metabolic engineering, plant microbiome
Principal Investigator: Prof. Paweł Bednarek
Research topic Specialized tryptophan metabolism in the regulation of plant microbiome bacteria
I. Project description
The project aims to determine how tryptophan-derived specialized metabolites selectively control potentially pathogenic bacteria within the plant microbiome. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model, we will investigate mutants impaired in individual branches of tryptophan metabolism and transgenic lines producing native or non-native metabolites. The project combines plant molecular biology and metabolic engineering with targeted and untargeted LC/UV and LC/MS metabolomics. Comparison of metabolic profiles of plants colonized by selected bacterial isolates will identify compounds that restrict bacterial pathogenicity and reveal mechanisms by which plants regulate their microbiota.
Research shall be carried out within the OPUS 30 project no. 2025/59/B/NZ2/03241 entitled “Specialized tryptophan metabolism in the control of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the plant microbiome”, funded by National Science Centre.
Where to apply
Requirements
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Additional Information
Benefits
The expected salary is approximately PLN 10 250 gross.
II. Requirements for the candidates:
The candidate should have:
- Ph.D. (or equivalent) in biological, biochemical, biotechnological, chemical sciences, or a related discipline.
- Research experience in at least one of two areas: (i) plant molecular biology/genetics, including cloning, generation and characterization of mutants or transgenic lines and gene-expression analysis, or (ii) analytical biochemistry/metabolomics, particularly chromatographic and/or LC-MS analyses.
- Willingness to work across disciplines and develop skills in the complementary area; prior experience in both plant molecular biology and metabolomics is not required.
- Background in plant biology and/or biochemistry; experience with Arabidopsis thaliana, plant specialized metabolism, plant-microbe interactions, CRISPR/Cas, or LC-MS/MS will be considered an asset.
- Ability to analyze and interpret experimental data; experience with metabolomics data processing and basic statistical analysis will be considered an asset.
- Very good command of English, enabling effective communication and the reading and preparation of scientific papers.
- Strong motivation for scientific research, independence, good organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team.
*According to NCN requirements, only individuals who obtained a doctoral degree no earlier than 12 years before the year of employment in the project may be admitted. This period may be extended by the time spent on long-term (over 90 days) documented sickness benefits or rehabilitation benefits due to incapacity for work. Additionally, the period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave for the care and upbringing of children, as specified under the Labor Code. For women, this period may also be increased by 18 months for each born or adopted child if this method of accounting for breaks in the scientific career is more advantageous.
Furthermore, according to NCN requirements, individuals who obtained a doctoral degree at an institution other than the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, or those who earned the degree at ICHB PAN but completed a continuous and evidenced fellowship of at least 9 months during their studies at the doctoral school, during doctoral studies, or following the award of a PhD in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred their PhD.
III. Duties in the project:
- Active involvement in the project: experiments with Arabidopsis thaliana and selected bacterial isolates; generation and characterization of mutants and transgenic lines, including gene-expression analysis; sample preparation and targeted and untargeted metabolomic analyses (LC/UV, LC-MS/MS).
- Data processing and interpretation, preparing summaries and reports.
- Continuously expanding knowledge in areas relevant to the project.
- Preparing scientific publications.
- Supervising the work of students and PhD students.
- Presenting results at seminars, scientific meetings, and conferences.
- Data management.
IV. Required documents:
- Application to the Director of IBCH PAN, containing contact details of previous scientific supervisors or other scientific employees who can give an opinion on the candidate.
- A copy of the diploma confirming the achievement of the doctoral degree.
- Scientific CV containing, among others, information on scientific, didactic and organizational achievements, including a list of scientific publications, information on management or participation in research projects.
V. Applications should be submitted via the eRecruiter portal at https://system.erecruiter.pl/FormTemplates/RecruitmentForm.aspx?WebID=c444aaead27b433f98a36d0504a463ea
VI. Submission deadline is 30th September, 2026.
Eligibility criteria
VII. After an initial verification based on the submitted documents, selected candidates will be invited to a job interview, during which the candidate recommended for employment will be chosen. The main criteria considered in the selection process will include: (i) scientific achievements (publications), (ii) relevance of previous experience to the research tasks planned within the project, and (iii) experience gained during research internships.
VIII. The recruitment procedure shall be concluded no later than 21st October, 2026.
Selection process
IX. Additional Information: The position is available from October 2026 and is offered for a period of 48 months. The expected salary is approximately PLN 10 250 gross. Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code.
For additional information please contact the Principal Investigator: Prof. Paweł Bednarek e-mail: bednarek@ibch.poznan.pl
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS
Country: Poland
State/Province: wielkopolska
City: Poznan
Postal Code: 61-704
Street: Zygmunta Noskowskiego 12
Contact
State/Province: wielkopolska
City: Poznan
Website: http://www.ibch.poznan.pl
Street: Noskowskiego 12/14
Postal Code: 61-704
E-Mail: bednarek@ibch.poznan.pl
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